Meet Mercy Works New Program Head

December 4, 2024

 

After more than 12 years of dedicated service in Papua New Guinea, Justine McMahon has returned to Australia, bringing with her a wealth of experience and passion as she steps into her new role as Head of Programs at Mercy Works.

During her time in PNG, Justine served as the Country Director of CARE International and the Director of Catholic Health Service, working closely with local communities. Her intimate knowledge of the country’s unique challenges and opportunities is now helping to guide Mercy Works’ initiatives aimed at some of the most vulnerable people in the region.

Justine and her team understand the complexities on the ground in PNG. They know the communities they serve-their persistence, determination and the extreme hardships they face daily. Many of those they work with, including West Papuan refugees, have experienced profound displacement and living in conditions with few resources and little support.

When asked about life in PNG and the difficult issues people confront Justine said, “There are so many. There are issues of violence, violence in the home, violence in the community and society. There are governance issues, particularly around honesty of the public officials. Just a total lack of basic services. So, things we take for granted in Australia, like education, where the classrooms have a decent number of kids, not 60 kids per classroom. Where health facilities have basic medicines and are staffed by health workers. And there’s a lack of formal employment opportunities. So, families spend a lot of money getting their kids educated, but then there’s no formal employment for them to go to. So yeah, quite a few things.”

Yet, despite this, these communities remain steadfast, resourceful, and hopeful. Justine says, “The people are generous, welcoming, and incredibly resilient. They want the same opportunities we have, and they want to improve their lives.”

Justine said she never feels completely overwhelmed by the challenges because there is also much good that is taking place by people like Sister Maryanne Kolkia, Mercy Works Program Coordinator Simbu. “There are huge successes, the work in the prisons. Maryanne and the Mercy Works team have done that previously in Goroka and now are working in Simbu in Barawagi Prison. Those people often don’t see anyone, they don’t have any kindness done to them, and for someone like Maryanne and the team to go in there regularly, that’s enormous.”

Justine remembers Maryanne from years earlier, “She had a big reputation then. She’s the boss of her place. She’s strong, and for her to be a woman leader, and what that actually shows to other girls or women is something we just can’t measure. She’s a woman in the Highlands who is driving a car, which is a great example for other women and girls, but also helps to break down the barrier with some of the boys. For the men, it’s probably too late [to break down the barriers], but the boys are learning.’

At Mercy Works, we are committed to supporting programs that offer real, ongoing change. These aren’t just short-term solutions; these initiatives are designed to uplift and empower communities, ensuring that they are self-sufficient and capable of sustaining progress long into the future. “What we’re doing is letting them design what they want to do, providing funding and giving technical support. And that’s a really important way of working.”

 

 

Find out more about Mercy Works – mercyworks.org.au

Click here to return to Just Mercy