Chocol Sawe

Chocol Sawe is an energetic and inspiring young Leader within the Kasua villages around Mount Bosavi. When Chocol’s father passed away while he was still very young, he was taken under the wing and adopted by Sigalo, head of the Soabesi Clan with unsurpassed knowledge of Kasua culture and lore.  

As a talented and conscientious student, through scholarships Chocol was given the opportunity to pursue his schooling all the way through to year 12, a particularly rare achievement in his remote and isolated part of Papua New Guinea. Completing his High School Certificate at the regional Kutubu Secondary School, Chocol learned to speak, read and write English with confidence. Combined with his friendly and outgoing personality and strong natural leader ship skills, he became a spokesman on key issues on behalf of his community from a relatively young age. 

Occasional visits from academics into the Kasua homelands culminated in 2009 with the arrival of a BBC film crew to film the documentary, Lost Land of the Volcano. All the natural characteristics that make Chocol a phenomenal came to the fore. He played an instrumental role as the key point of liaison between the expedition team and the local community. 

Chocol remains unwavering in his belief that the world will one day recognise and reward the Kasua people for the commitment they have shown in preserving one of the world’s most unique and pristine ecosystems in the face of interest from loggers, mining companies and other extractive forces.