Pottery-making is the hallmark of all Austronesian cultures which developed from migrations out of South Asia thousands of years ago. These people populated the Polynesian Islands and some areas of Melanesia, such as the Gulf of Papua. The skill of pottery is the heritage of all humans on this planet, not just the Motu people.

When the Hiri trade expeditions were stopped by the colonial administrators in the 1950's the Motu pottery industry practically died with it, as it was the chief commodity of trade. At the same time, the convenience and durability of western factory-made metal pots offered an attractive alternative to hand made earthenware. Younger people were no longer required to learn the craft, and earthenware quickly seemed increasingly irrelevant.

Project Gida can show that earthenware is not irrelevant. It can revive the passion, ignite a renewed love for cooking with earthenware made according to ancient traditions that go back thousands of years; a source of pride; a source of dignity; a source of identity.