[Cheshire Homes, Hohola, Port Moresby, 3 May 2025] On Saturday, 3rd May 2025, staff from IBSUniversity (IBSU) visited the Cheshire Disability Home in Hohola as part of the university’s ongoing outreach program. This marked the second group visit this year and brought together members from a range of departments, including Student Support and Development (SSD), Marketing, IT, the Centre of Excellence (COE), People and Culture (P&C), and the School of IT.

These visits bring us beyond the university setting into communities where daily life looks very different. Each visit is anchored in genuine connection, real conversation, and a willingness to learn from others’ experiences.

Ms. Winnie, who led the team, began by introducing the staff and reflecting on IBSU’s long-standing relationship with Cheshire Home. She spoke with warmth and sincerity, acknowledging the gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and expressing sincere gratitude for the chance to reconnect. Her words opened the day with a quiet sense of purpose, one centered on simply being there.

The group brought food and drinks, enjoying them together over relaxed conversations. There were no grand speeches or formalities. Staff sat with residents, talked, laughed, and simply spent time in each other’s company. The casual setting made space for real connection and open conversation.

One of the most moving moments of the day was when a resident addressed the group. A long-time advocate for people living with disabilities, he has represented Papua New Guinea on many national and international platforms. He laid it out plainly, the daily challenges faced in a society that too often ignores or underestimates those with disabilities. Drawing from his own life, he advised not to seek sympathy, but to encourage awareness and responsibility, calling for change from families, schools, workplaces, and government bodies alike.

His message was clear—support should not be fleeting or superficial; it must be consistent, actionable, and rooted in respect. His words left a strong impression on the visiting team. Many described the conversation as a turning point in their understanding of what it truly takes to create an environment where everyone feels included.

“It reminded us that change doesn’t always need to start from the top,” one staff member said. “Sometimes, it begins with conversations like these—real people talking about real issues in ways that make you think.”

The day concluded with a group photo session—an informal way to acknowledge the time spent together. As the team prepared to leave, handshakes and farewells carried a sense of mutual respect and familiarity. The mood was light, but the messages from the day lingered in everyone’s minds.

These visits might seem minor on the surface, but they carry weight. IBSU doesn’t treat them as formality—it keeps showing up. Each interaction opens space for honest connection and better awareness between people from different walks of life.

Many of the staff who took part described the visit as grounding. Being in an environment where people navigate challenges with openness and mutual support gave them a fresh perspective on the importance of human connection beyond their usual academic and work-related routines.

IBSU extends its gratitude to the staff and residents of the Cheshire Disability Home for their warm welcome and the conversations that made this visit both thought-provoking and eye-opening. The university looks forward to returning in the coming months, recognizing that these moments bring clarity to principles we often mention but seldom encounter in such real and personal ways.

PC: IBSU Media