Takili Muk is trying to gather 1,000 books to take to his village near Tari in the province of Hela.
He is driven by the plight of many in his home province, who, he says, live in conditions that are "not very promising for young people."
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"The girls get married at a very young age and the boys take drugs and drink home-made alcohol. There are not many opportunities for them to improve themselves. I see that my beautiful and peaceful village, and province as a whole, has become dangerous to live in.”
This is why Mr Muk is inviting others to donate educational books that he can take back from Australia in September when he finishes the professional training he is currently undergoing in Canberra.
“I believe that If we give an opportunity to these young people to get a better education and give them something to read, it will keep their time occupied and they will become better citizens.”
He says, "Donations of good quality second-hand books (fiction and non-fiction) suitable for 9-18 year old students would be greatly appreciated."
In particular, he is looking for books on business management, mathematics, science, health, sports and geography.
New or used books can be taken to the Latter-day Saint meetinghouse at 34 Gilmore Crescent, Garran, Canberra on 19 July.
Mr Muk has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2003. He is the only member of the Church in his family. Both of his parents passed away when he was 12 years of age. An uncle took him to Port Moresby where he completed his secondary education. He then attended the university in Lae.
For further information, contact Mr Takili Muk at: takili.muk@finance.gov.au.