We will use an existing building to serve as the Community Hub. The building was originally constructed for the Bula community by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through its AusAid Program. It was purposely designed with a corrugated iron roof and cement flooring, and left without walls to function as a water catchment system.
I have secured agreement from the Bula community elders, and the building will now also be used to house laptops, a freezer, sewing machines, lighting, tables, chairs, and Wi-Fi that will provide coverage throughout Bula Village. This new purpose will complement its existing role as a water catchment system.
To support its expanded use, walls will be constructed around the building, and the interior will be partitioned into areas for computer-based and instructor-led learning, women’s sewing activities and business management, and cold storage using the freezer.
Construction of the walls will be carried out using lumber sourced from nearby forests. In Papua New Guinea, land and forest resources are traditionally owned by local families and clans. As part of our community engagement approach and to ensure mutual benefit, we propose a 50/50 sharing model: landowners will provide the trees, and ISTOI will supply milling services by renting a local sawmill. The processed timber will be equally shared, with 50 percent allocated to our project and the remaining 50 percent returned to the landowners, enabling them to use it for building improved homes or sell for income.
The sawmill will be rented at a daily rate of $500 and will be operated over five days for a total rental cost of $2,500. We are budgeting another $500 for travel and miscellaneous expenses.
Thank you!
A Village Left in the Dark
Far from the noise of cities and the convenience of modern life lies Bula Village, a remote coastal community in Papua New Guinea, reachable only after hours of travel by boat. It’s a place rich in culture, resilience, and hope… but deeply limited by isolation.
In Bula, over 700 people live without electricity, reliable communication, or access to essential resources. When the sun sets, darkness falls completely. Children with dreams of education are forced to stop learning. Youth with ambition and potential are left without the tools or opportunities to grow, connect, or shape their futures. Women with skills and ideas have no way to grow businesses or reach wider markets.
But this can change—and it starts with us.
✨ Why I’m Doing This – My Story
My name is Nawi, the Founder of Innovative Solutions to Overcome Inequality (ISTOI).
I’ve seen firsthand the strength, resilience, and potential that exists in communities like Bula Village. I’ve met women who are incredibly resourceful, hardworking, and full of ideas, but held back by circumstances beyond their control. I’ve seen children and youth eager to learn and grow yet limited by something as basic as the lack of light after sunset.
I couldn’t ignore it, so I founded ISTOI purposely to bridge societal divides, empower communities, and advance inclusive, equitable growth across Papua New Guinea through innovative, technology-driven solutions. ISTOI is fiscally sponsored by Humanitarian Social Innovations, a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 46-4779591.
This fundraiser is not just about supporting a meaningful cause; it’s about standing alongside a community that deserves the same opportunities many of us take for granted.
I’m taking this on because I believe where you are born should not determine what you can become. And I believe that, together, we can help rewrite that story for Bula Village.
To learn more about my story and ISTOI, click the “Meet Nawi & ISTOI” tab above.
Children studying under the dim glow of
lantern light | 
Early-age school children of Bula Village |
❤️ Why This Matters
- When a girl has light to study, she has a better chance at education.
- When a woman has tools to earn, she gains independence and confidence.
- When a community is connected, it becomes stronger, more resilient, and full of possibility.
(According to UNICEF, only 47% of girls in PNG attend primary school, and 17% attend secondary school. In the 2022 national election, only three of the 111 seats in parliament were held by women, representing just 2.7% of the total seats)
With your support, together we can unlock doors to education, entrepreneurship, and independence, especially for women and girls who are too often left behind.
✨ We Have a Vision to Achieve This
We are raising funds to build a Community Learning & Empowerment Hub—a space that will transform daily life in Bula Village. This hub will be more than just a building. It will be a gateway to opportunity, especially for women and girls who are ready to rise.
✨ With your support, we aim to provide:
⚡ Solar Power – Reliable, sustainable electricity so children can study at night and families can live more safely and productively.
🌐 Internet Connectivity – Opening doors to online education, communication, and digital opportunities never before accessible in Bula.
📚 Learning Resources & Equipment – Laptops, books, furniture, and tools to support education, training, and skill-building.
🧵 Practical Skills Training – Sewing machines and resources to help women start small businesses, earn income, and support their families.
To learn more about each component, click the links below.
🌟 Our Vision for Change
🤝 Join Me in Making This Vision a Reality
💛 Donate today and help
bring light to Bula Village. I cannot do this on my
own—together we can achieve greater impact.
🌍 Stand with me in empowering women, children and youth in one of PNG’s most remote communities To check the latest update on this project, click the "Update" tab above | 
Inside the Community Hub with water storage cisterns in the
background, women look at photographs. |
✨ When you give, you don’t just support a project—you change lives.
Please consider a one-time or monthly donation. While all donations are greatly appreciated, your monthly gift will allow us to plan and budget for larger expenditures. For U.S. donors, your gift is tax-deductible. All funds are received and managed by our U.S. partner, Humanitarian Social Innovations.
Let’s build a
future where geography no longer limits potential.
Let’s bring light,
learning, and opportunity to Bula Village—together.
Thank You for Your Support
