NCfR Celebrates 25 Years Anniversary.

29/09/2026 | Chabai, Bougainville.

Everyone making way for the Congregation leader to pass through in the middle with candle and image of St. Rapheal(Patron saint of NCfR)

From humble beginnings in 2001 to 2026, Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation celebrated its anniversary on the 29^th September. The celebration signified the Journey of hope and faith that NCfR had achieved. The theme of the day was "NCfR @ 25: A Journey of Hope, Honoring the past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the future," it beautifully captured the Journey of NCfR from the beginning to recent. The event brought together Women Human Rights Defenders, Male Advocates, Community Counselors and Peace Builders from South, Central and North Bougainville. Also present were the representatives from IWDA, DFAT, APLJ, Bougainville Partners, local partner organizations, friends of NCfR and communities around Chabai area.

The program started with a thanksgiving Mass in the morning and continued with a symbolic act of Journey of Hope that started in the entrance of Nazareth Centre of Rehabilitation where everyone participated. The Journey of Hope walk symbolized how people walk into the center to find healing, the walk included another symbolic act where the people processed with the candle of light carried by the Congregation Sisters of Nazareth Leader Sr. Josephine Lahio which was handed over to Sr. Lorraine Garasu reflecting how the Congregation sisters of Nazareth entrusted her with the ministry of founding Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation and operating it. The light was then shared with everyone to show how the organization has reached many people all throughout Bougainville and also to reflect on how a few strong women have paved the way for us.

A Journey of Hope walk

As reflection of the 25 years carried on with heart-warming speeches from partners, friends of NCfR, NCfR Staff, Congregation Sisters of Nazareth and community leader representative. Each speech reflected the amazing work NCfR has done throughout Bougainville and honoring the community actors that continue to work in the communities to practice what NCfR has taught them.

Sr. Josephine acknowledged Sr. Margaret Buwin who was visionary behind the establishment of NCfR and thanked and commended Sr. Lorraine for being a great leader that implemented the vision which is part of the congregation that serves people of Bougainville. She emphasized "When lay people works together with the Religious it means that great things can happen and seeing how far NCfR has come it demonstrates the involvement of Religious and the lay people.”

Sr. Lorraine Garasu(Director and founder of NCfR) and Sr. Josephine Lahio(Congregation Leader)

Sr. Lorraine Garasu shared her reflection on the achievements and challenges she encountered. She stated "it was not an easy journey but through hope and faith I was able to build something that serves the people of Bougainville." She acknowledged the partners for their continuous support to NCfR and also the community actors for implementing the work in their communities.

Sr. Lorraine Reflects on the 25 years of NCfR

As NCfR looks back on 25 years of service, the anniversary was not only a celebration of how far the organization has come, but also a reflection of the many people who have carried its vision forward. A Tree of Hope was also part of the celebration, giving participants an opportunity to write down their hopes and aspirations for the future of NCfR. From the vision that began in 2001 to the community actors continuing the work today, the journey has been shaped by faith, hope, partnership and commitment to the people of Bougainville. As the light of hope was shared during the celebration and hopes for the future were placed on the Tree of Hope, it symbolized that the journey does not end at 25 years, but continues with renewed hope and inspiration for the years ahead.