New Beginnings for a Village School

With a snip of scissors, a new chapter begins for the Rilo Primary School in Babaka, a small village in the Rigo District of Papua New Guinea, thanks to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

The village of Babaka, in the remote Rigo district of southern Papua New Guinea, has always worked hard to provide its children with a good education. But the village’s primary school was suffering from aging and decaying buildings, causing problems for both students and staff.

Church humanitarian missionaries Wayne and Dina Robbins became aware of the problem and found ways to help. Contractors were hired to meet the school’s needs, supplies were gathered, plans were created, and the work began. The costs were covered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, thanks to donations by members and friends of the Church.

BEFORE: Four old classrooms, similar to this one, were used for daily classes at Rilo Primary School in Babaka, Rigo District, Papua New Guinea. Now they are scheduled for demolition. New and modern classrooms are taking their place. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

AFTER: Four modern and comfortable classrooms identical to the picture above now welcome students and teachers at Rilo Primary School after the completion of new construction work funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

On 7 February 2025, parents and students gathered at the Rilo Primary school to celebrate the Church-funded improvements.

Students take part in a program to recognize the work to modernize their school with the help of local builders and funding from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Community and local Church leaders spoke of the importance of the school to the village.

Babaka Branch President Voi Tau speaks to attendees at the celebration of the construction work expanding the Rilo Primary School. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

The four new classrooms, all built on risers to protect against occasional flooding from heavy rains and ocean storm surges, are now part of the learning atmosphere at the Rilo Primary School. Students and community members alike were excited that the new classrooms are ready to open.

Students and administrators line up to climb the steps to tour their new classrooms. Church missionaries Wayne and Dini Robbins, who helped facilitate the construction project, are seen at the lower right. © 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Additionally, following long-standing practices in Papua New Guinea, new housing has been provided for teachers, who typically are provided living quarters at the school as part of their employment agreement.

New living quarters for Rilo Primary School teachers are ready for occupancy. The project was funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. February 2025.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

After the dedication program, Babaka Branch President Voi Tau said that the Church’s contribution to the school and to the community is a reflection of Christ's love for all His children.

“The Church reflects the love of Christ. We show our love of Christ by the way we show how we love our neighbors in Babaka. We are very proud to be part of this work, and to be members of the Church.”

Meanwhile, in Papua New Guinea, and in developing nations throughout the world, the work of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues, striving to meet basic needs for Heavenly Father’s children, both spiritually and temporally, wherever those needs are found.

The Church Funds the Renovation of a School in Babaka, Papua New Guinea

Community celebrates the joy of education following a Church funded school renovation project.