Sunday Chronicle PNG Features

Home and away

2010-04-04T13:30:00.000+10:00

Jack Metta reflects on what happens when you're not at home

GOD has put a brain in your head and a heart in your chest; use them well.

That is a phrase that had been reverberating in your mind countless times since last Sunday's church service.

It made a lot of sense because these two parts of the body play vital roles in one's personality. Hence, it stuck to your mind like a leech, readily available for the juggling when your emotions overwhelmed you in any given situation.

Initially, it was meant to remind you of your responsibilities to the society that you are a part of and to adjust accordingly should you err or fall by the wayside on the path of life.

But most of all, it was to ensure you follow the norms of society and adhere to the rules that guard them.
Once in a while, exceptional circumstances would emerge calling for the rules to be stretched and bent to suit the circumstances, but the phrase would come to the fore urging good sense and reasoning. Most times, good sense wins out.

So when the phrase kept springing to mind in conditions one does not deem exceptional, alarm bells start to ring and you start to question whether you're not in a madhouse.

The madhouse in this context refers to the settlement you are thrown into, not by design but by circumstances.
Rising rents, power and utility bills, expanded responsibilities in almost all facets of everyday life including the dreaded wantok system, literally throw you into the confines of a squatter settlement to set up house.

And more wantok system woes are invited but that is part of the deal, you know. It is inevitable to interact with your own people because one has to be among his or her own kind to be able to scratch a new life in a complete new setting. You would think twice about settling into a new setting if you didn't have any wantoks around, would you? This is a fact of life in most urban centres around the country.

But as time passes, you wonder if the so-called 'new life' is worth it all or should you kick yourself in the shins and say 'serves you right'.

All these had come to pass because your arithmatic, scratchy as it is (one of your worst subjects in school), dictated that you move while you had the chance.

You calculated that paying rent a week multiplied by the year, times the number of years you've rented the place, came to several thousands of kina - money that could have been better put into the construction of a reasonable permanent home in the settlement. There would have been enough to settle the bills and tip the wantok some toea for his or her bus fare on occasions.

You rue the day you left the confines of your childhood home to start a new life. That new life appeared glamorous from the outset but as the days and years wore on and nature took its course, your life was now sinking down to the doldrums.

Lately, things have really hit rock bottom. The home that you had started to build had become a source of bitter dispute ... you not being a part of it.

Since your work takes you out of the city from time to time, it was prudent that you appoint a caretaker to look after the place while you're away.

The head on your shoulders juggle a few names from the settlement and the heart points to the appropriate characters.

Having done that, you are disrupted by a telephone call from a neighbour three weeks later that the person you had appointed had been chased away by your cousin, who has since moved in with his clan.

"Oh," she had said in passing, "the cousin's wife's clan are also holed up at your place..." The latter remarks sounded more sarcastic than advisory, but you didn't linger on the thought because the reminder came gurgling out from the confines of your mind like air from a burst balloon.

The cousin's mother and family had sold their house after their father died and now they've marched into your home without any authorisation whatsoever. And to think that he had taken it upon himself to kick the person you authorised to be the caretaker without so much as the courtesy of seeking permission from the owner.

You start seething when you latch onto the fact that they had sold their house without so much as a thought of their own accommodation in the city.

Complaints came then, like a tap opening. Nary had a day gone by when complaints came via telephone, letters, even visitors to the town of your temporary transfer.

The former caretaker, the closest neighbours and other relatives in the neighbourhood had something to say about the occupants, their pastime and advise as to what you should do about it.

By and by, you just became ears ... you know, let the words pass through one ear and out the other and that was that.

"There are no more coconuts on your palms; drunken youths have taken a bush knife to your trees, young palms, bananas and hedges just to show how tough they are; the trees in front of the house have been chopped down because too many youths are gathering there to drink home brew and smoke marijuana; your place has become a gambling den of sorts with every Tom, Dick, drunken Harry and his dog are making a habit of being there every day and night..."

Oh, the list went on and the reminder kept popping up.

Above the rage in your core, there were bitter tears over memories associated with the trees and coconuts in particular. They were planted for a purpose - to prevent erosion, act as wind breakers, and provide a shade for leisure and the children boasting in later years of having planted the trees as young toddlers.

The windbreakers in fact, were cut down because a neighbour reasoned that his action would prevent drug bodies from using the shade. No thought was spared for the years of growth, nurturing and trimming.
If this guy had a head on his shoulders and a heart in his chest, should he be respecting the property of its rightful owner?

You'd have thought he would have had enough sense to distinguish right from wrong and not entertain or discourage totally activities that brought the place into disrepute?

Disputes erupted over these activities between the 'cousin' and concerned parties in the neighbourhood culminating in boisterous exchanges of heated words and ultimately violence on a couple of occasions.
The activities and disputes were fodder for the settlement's gossips and, woe of woes, ammunition for further reports to your end.

The reminder never did have time to rest in the confines of your mind for the entire period you were away.
Messages were returned to get the present tenants out of the place and install the authorised person, but this fell on deaf years. Another message was sent that you were on your way back and that the place should be vacated.

They called your bluff and when you did arrive, they were still occupying the place.
But they did the fastest disappearing act you've ever seen in your entire life. One moment there is a hive of activity, the next, the place was quiet and deserted like it was never inhabited.

You feel sorry for yourself as you appraise you home and yard. No doubt, it was totally abused.
You had a head and a heart and you had used these to develop a cordial relationship with the locals including your cousin. And how do they return the courtesy. Abusing your place?

You tore the house down thereafter and the materials have since gone walkabout, once again courtesy of the very people you know. And once again, there hasn't been any permission sought from the owner.

It is said that home is where the heart is but in your case, the heart has shifted because the heads on the shoulders of those you believe you could trust, had torn it out and thrown it away.
If Louis Armstrong was to enter and blurt out in his croaky voice 'What a wonderful world'' perhaps he could be invited to be a caretaker for a while.

For now, the head's thinking about the future, the heart's pumping and the words of the Wise Counsellor: 'Forgiveness is a lovely idea until one has something to forgive' is resonating in your ears.

The pregnancy experience continues

2010-04-04T13:25:00.000+10:00

By WATSON GABANA

"THE pregnancy experience - an all-expenses-paid holiday" article published two weeks back stimulated a lot of interest amongst many readers. More than 200 people reacted to the story by email asking a lot of personal and interesting questions and requests.

I have ve tried my best replying to most of the questions but for those about the symptoms and signs of early pregnancies, I have reserved the answers to this follow-up article. This article wishes also to illustrate two important features of the pregnancy experience. Firstly the signs and symptoms of the pregnancy experience. Secondly, we should know as husbands and wives the physical changes happening inside a mother's womb during pregnancy. Keeping records or track of what's going on inside that comfortable villa of our wives' wombs is important.

Let me begin with an email I received.

"My friend's girlfriend did not have her menstrual period last month. We are not sure if she is pregnant or not. If she is really pregnant, they are not ready yet for a child. Can you give us some tips how she can do abortion?" Well my dear friends. Abortion in PNG is illegal. Therefore I don't have a clue or advice as to how you can execute this act. But the reality in this country from observation is that illegal things are legal and vice-versa. People are selling smoke and buai at places where they shouldn't be trading these things. Sex is a thriving business although it is illegal here in the country. As indicated in the Post Courier 10 abortion cases are reported every month in Bougainville (Post Courier March 19 2010). This is for one province. What about other 19 provinces in this country? What is happening to this type of unintended and unwanted pregnancies? Someone in authority can shed some light on this.

The confusing thing is that we normally do not think of the outcomes when two loving couples cuddle each other in a loving sexual affair. When the female partner starts sharing her feelings some weeks or a month later like my friend above, we start searching our pockets for ideas and even excuses. To avoid that, I wish to introduce you to some practical analysis of the pregnancy experience.

Pregnancy symptoms differ from woman to woman and pregnancy to pregnancy; however, one of the most significant pregnancy symptoms is a delayed or missed menstrual cycle.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy is important because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience signs or symptoms of pregnancy within a week of conception. For other women, pregnancy symptoms may develop over a few weeks or may not be present at all.

Below is a listing of some of the most common pregnancy symptoms. If you have been sexually active and experiencing any of the following symptoms it is important to take a pregnancy test.

Implantation bleeding: Implantation bleeding can be one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. About 6-12 days after conception, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall. Some women will experience spotting as well as some cramping. Actual menstruation, altered menstruation, changes in birth control pill, infection, or abrasion from intercourse can also occur then Delay/difference in menstruation: A delayed or missed menstruation is the most common pregnancy symptom leading a woman to test for pregnancy.

When you become pregnant, your next period should be missed. Many women can bleed while they are pregnant, but typically the bleeding will be shorter or lighter than a normal period. Excessive weight gain/loss, fatigue, hormonal problems, tension, stress, ceasing to take the birth control pill, or breast-feeding are other symptoms.

Swollen/tender breasts: Swollen or tender breasts are a pregnancy symptom which may begin as early as 1-2 weeks after conception. Women may notice changes in their breasts; they may be tender to the touch, sore, or swollen. Hormonal imbalance, birth control pills, impending menstruation (PMS) can also cause your breasts to be swollen or tender.

Fatigue/tiredness: Feeling fatigued or tired is a pregnancy symptom which can also start as early as the first week after conception. Stress, exhaustion, depression, common cold or flu, or other illnesses can also leave you feeling tired or fatigued.

Nausea/morning sickness: This well-known pregnancy symptom will often show up between 2-8 weeks after conception. Some women are fortunate to not deal with morning sickness at all, while others will feel nauseous throughout most of their pregnancy. Food poisoning, stress, or other stomach disorders can also cause you to feel queasy.

Backaches: Lower backaches may be a symptom that occurs early in pregnancy; however, it is common to experience a dull backache throughout an entire pregnancy. Impending menstruation, stress, other back problems, and physical or mental strains.

Headaches: The sudden rise of hormones in your body can cause you to have headaches early in pregnancy. Dehydration, caffeine withdrawal, impending menstruation, eye strain, or other ailments can be the source of frequent or chronic headaches.

Frequent urination: Around 6-8 weeks after conception, you may find yourself making a few extra trips to the bathroom. Urinary tract infection, diabetes, increasing liquid intake, or taking excessive diuretics.
Darkening of Areolas: If you are pregnant, the skin around your nipples may get darker. Hormonal imbalance unrelated to pregnancy or may be a leftover effect from a previous pregnancy.

Food cravings: While you may not have a strong desire to eat pickles and ice cream, many women will feel cravings for certain foods when they are pregnant. This can last throughout your entire pregnancy. Poor diet, lack of a certain nutrient, stress, depression, or impending menstruation.

If you think you are pregnant you may purchase a home pregnancy test such as those made by Clearblue Easy, or find out more about taking a pregnancy test.

Calculating the day your baby begins to develop and keeping track of your pregnancy dates can be a challenge. The development of pregnancy is counted from the first day of the woman's last normal period, even though the development of the fetus does not begin until conception. Pregnancy is calculated from this day because each time a woman has a period, her body is preparing for pregnancy.

Healthy pregnancy development may vary due to the mother's health or a miscalculation of ovulation. Gestational age is the age of the pregnancy from the last normal menstrual period (LMP), and fetal age is the actual age of the growing baby. Most references to pregnancy are usually in gestational age rather than fetal age development, but we have included both so that it is clear what stage development is at. Measurements will be given in total length from head to toe, but each pregnancy can differ in weight and length measurements.

Pregnancy is also divided into trimesters which last about 12 - 14 weeks each. Similar to development, these can be calculated from different dates so not all trimester calculations will equal the same. The following information divides the three trimesters into a little over 3 completed months each. The first trimester is week 1 through the end of week 13. The second trimester usually ends around the 26th week and consists of the 4th, 5th and 6th completed months. The third trimester can end anywhere between the 38th - 42nd week and is the 7th, 8th and 9th completed months of pregnancy.

Vaginal bleeding can occur frequently in the first trimester of pregnancy and may not be a sign of problems. But bleeding that occurs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy can often be a sign of a possible complication. Bleeding can be caused by a number of reasons.

Some basic things to know about bleeding are:

If you are bleeding, you should always wear a pad or panty liner so that you can monitor how much you are bleeding and what type of bleeding you are experiencing.
You should never wear a tampon or introduce anything else into the vaginal area such as douche or engage in sexual intercourse if you are currently experiencing bleeding.
If you are also experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned below in connection with a possible complication, you should contact your health care provider immediately.

...... to be continued next week

2010-04-04T13:19:00.000+10:00

Bernard Narokobi: A great supporter of the development of renewable energy
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Liu Zhaoxiang, one time resident of Papua New Guinea and currently living in Beijing, China, recollects his first encounter with late Bernard Narokobi. Liu believes PNG should have more of late Narokobi in his personality, knowledge and above all, his ideology and wisdom.
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I WAS extremely sorry to learn last Friday afternoon (March12) when news was received at the PNG Embassy in Beijing that Mr. Bernard Narokobi had passed away. I was shocked and saddened and immediately wanted to ring his house and convey my deepest sympathy to his family members, but I didn't know his telephone number.

To get his number, I then called two good friends of his, Mr. John Momis, PNG's former Ambassador to China, and Mr Joseph Gabut, the former Secretary of the Department of Petroleum and Energy (DPE). Unfortunately, I couldn't reach either of them.

As is known to all, Bernard was one of the most prominent lawyers and one of the most honorable politicians in PNG. However, little is known of his great and firm support for the development of renewable energy in PNG.

First Meeting at Manila Airport

I was invited to go to PNG as a private citizen by former Ambassador Larry Hulo in 1994. Soon, I found PNG was facing a serious challenge of power shortages not only in its rural areas where more than 80% of its population lived but also in all its urban centers where blackouts were daily occurrences. So, I made up my mind to do something about the power issue in PNG.

In the following years, I traveled extensively throughout PNG conducting a series of field studies about renewable energy. I found that PNG is blessed with very rich renewable energy opportunities due to its favorable and advantageous geographical, topographical and geological characteristics.

PNG has almost all forms of renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal and ocean wave energy. I was confident renewable energy could provide the people of PNG with indigenous, affordable, reliable and clean energy.

In June 2000, we shipped the first batch of six wind-powered generators from China to PNG for demonstration purposes. I happened to take the same flight from Hong Kong to Port Moresby with Bernard Narokobi, the Speaker of National Parliament, who had just completed an official visit to China and was on his way back home.

We had a one hour stopover in Manila, the Philippines. I met Bernard for the first time on his way to the VIP lounge. With some nervousness, because of his position and my lack of any earlier communication with him, I asked him whether he was interested in wind power.

To my surprise, he said quietly, "Yes. Come and explain it to me." I was very happy and followed him into the VIP lounge. At the same time he asked some other members of his delegation to join us.

Bernard listened attentively, and looked carefully at the brochure I gave to him. From time to time, he asked questions. At last, he told me, "We have wind all the year round. We need wind power and it is environmental friendly. I fully support you. If I can do anything for you, just let me know."

Then, he gave his name card to me. He was so humble, friendly and warm. This first meeting with Bernard has stayed in my memory ever since.

A photo in front of the wind -powered generator
As soon as wind-powered generators arrived in PNG in the first week in August 2000, we erected one of them in the corner of Waigani Village near its front gate. Waigani Village is just on the roadside of Waigani Drive, and it attracted the attention of many drivers and passengers.

Mr Collin Taimbari, a reporter for Post-Courier, interviewed me in the following week, and Post-Courier carried his report on 15th August 2000.

I wanted very much to invite Bernard to have a look at our demonstration generator. So, I called him the following day. He said he was delighted to read our story in the newspaper and he would like to visit us during the weekend.

At 7:30 AM on 19th August 2000, Bernard drove himself to Waigani Village. He switched the lights attached to the generator on and off twice. He looked at the inverter and battery and asked how long the battery could last.

When he learnt that the battery could last only for three years, he said it needs to last longer than that because it would be inconvenient for the villagers in remote areas to replace it.

A photo was taken of us standing together in front of the wind-powered generator. Whenever I look at that photo, I always remember his smiling face.

Also before he left, he encouraged me to write something for the media about renewable energy because at that time not many Papua New Guineans knew about it. With his encouragement, I wrote my first article entitled "Develop PNG Renewable Energy to Realise Electrification" and it was published in PNG Business (January, 2001)

A letter of recommendation
Just at that time, DPE was looking for a renewable energy consultant. I guess it was through the news, my articles and interviews in PNG`s media that led DPE to assess me as a candidate.

I was selected after an interview by Mr Vore Veve, Director of Energy Division of the Department. In order to complete the appointment process, however, he needed a letter of recommendation from a prominent figure of PNG.

I told this to Bernard. Without any hesitation, he said to me, "I will write a letter of recommendation for you to the Department." Two days, I was given his letter at his house. Bernard`s recommendation letter was very important for me.

After three months of scrutiny by departments concerned and upon the approval of Consultancy Steering Committee, DPE formally engaged me as a renewable energy consultant on 10th April 2001 for a term of three years.

The first and major term of reference of my engagement was "Improve awareness coverage of the renewable energy sector in Papua New Guinea". From then on, I became very busy, and often I had to work seven days a week in my small office in Gordons.

Great encouragement
During the three years, I tried my best to conduct extensive work by undertaking research into identifying appropriate renewable technologies given PNG conditions. Mr Joseph Gabut, Secretary of DPE recognized the value to PNG of the technologies I had identified and kindly wrote in a performance assessment report that, "Mr Liu has fulfilled all the requirements of the terms of reference, resulting in proven record of achievements. He has done an excellent job as a consultant, and I am satisfied with his work."

I could not have achieved all these without the help and encouragement of my colleagues and many readers, among whom Bernard was the most outstanding one. He had given me the utmost encouragement. Many times after I published my research papers, Bernard would call me and urge me to "keep up the good job".

On 1st May 2003 in his Column "Seliter Whispers" of The Independent, Bernard published his comment entitled "Liu Zhaoxiang`s vision of PNG`s renewable energy".

He wrote, "Mr Liu has done more than writing these great energy sources available to us. He has a vision for our country's modernizing itself with a maximum of energy sources which are both cost effective and environment friendly," and "from his tiny office at Gordons, Mr Liu has generated enormous energy."

I think Bernard was over complimentary of me and my work. His words always inspired me to work hard for the development of renewable energy in PNG, which, I am sure, is in the best interest of Papua New Guineans.

Bernard Narokobi had a rich full life and lived every minute of it to the fullest. May his vision and enthusiasm for a brighter, sustainable future for PNG remain as a beacon to guide us all now that he is no longer with us.

In his book, "The Melanesian Way", he wrote and I quote, "Melanesian has been invaded by a huge tidal wave from the West in the form of colonization and Christianization... Whilst acknowledging our beautiful past along with its constraints, we also recognize the good in the new ways, and mindful of the bad ways of today. With the freedom we have, we can make conscious decisions to opt for what is best in both worlds.

"Today, we Melanesians stand at the crossroad. More than any people in the world, we can choose. We can choose to ape the West and the East or we can choose to be ourselves in our philosophy, our life-styles and our whole beings."

Can PNG leaders today guide PNG in the true Melanesian Way, yet live the current globe?

For comments, contact Mathew Yakai on email: m_yakai@hotmail.com or SMS 71489901

Rebuilding Lelefiru away from the raging sea

2010-03-01T13:45:00.000+10:00

By LINA KEAPU

IN EVERY island there is a dreadful situation that's taking the livelihood of people especially when global warming or climate change is taking place rapidly.

Let me introduce you to a little group of people that live along the coastline of the Gulf of Papua. That is the Lelefiru village, the last village in the East Kerema Local Level Government in the Gulf Province. They may not be known to the rest of Papua New Guinea and the world like other rural villages along the coast that are being hit by the rising sea level and their situation is not being recognized by the authorities concerned, like for instance the Caterets Islands.

Lelefiru village has become seabed to marine life. The effect of the sea rise has affected Lelefiru much more than the other villages around her. Subsequently the entire village was completely washed out in recent years.
Having been relocated back inland to Lahoposa where their great grandparents used to garden in the last century, the village school was also built there. The villagers have started life all over again. Apparently they have lost everything their great grandfathers have built from generation to generation, including the United Church building that was built between 1980 and 1990.

When we see the history of the church, it took ten years of constructing the building which was then opened in December 1991. The Church building carried a lot of memories of people who worked tirelessly both physically and financially to build a permanent house of worship for the villagers. Sympathetically, most of the heroes that put up the church building no longer exist. At the time of the rising sea the church building was about 14 years old. Unfortunately that memorable church building no longer stands.

Sadly, Lelefiru under this disastrous situation has not received any assistance from the Provincial nor National Government. It really was every man for himself this painful five years.

Now the village, situated three to five kilometers inland has no school nor proper church building. The villagers are focused in rebuilding their village. Initially the elders of the village should have been taking the lead, seeking assistance from the Provincial Government and authorities concerned for this disaster, instead they have just seen the entire village vanish into the sea water.

Lelefiru village has a religious group called the Lelefiru Women Fellowship (LFW). This particular group began some 80 years ago. The present Lelefiru WF, like any in the United Church region in PNG, is the work inherited by their mothers and even great grandmothers.

The WF has become the main force in the major activities and projects in the village. These developments in a re-located site after the rising sea level in 2006/7 are a matter of some marvel because they challenge the conventional practice of male dominance in all areas of life. In year 2000 the WF completed a furnished modern residence for their congregation pastor. All processes of planning, organizing and fundraising has been the initiative of the women.

The current pastor of Lelefiru village, Kave Eka emphasized on the rebuilding of Lelefiru on God's Law of love during a basket exchange ceremony held in the village over the festive season between the village-based women's fellowship and Port Moresby Lelefiru women's fellowship. They also raised K12, 000 for the new church building (NCB) on the 25th of December 2009. He said, the theme; "Rebuilding Lelefiru" is not an easy task but he is committed and determined to bring together a taskforce from different walks of life.

He said the "pastor-does-it-all" approach will curb the work which God has given to every person in the village. He said he will call for a new mindset and a new attitude proactive to what leaders are doing to rebuild Lelefiru.

For years, the WF have combined their collective knowledge, enterprise and initiative to structure their own fellowship work environment to produce these great results.
The next NCB fundraising basket is planned for the 26th December 2010. Pastor Kave said they hope to make it a bigger and better one to get everyone.

In his keynote address to the women and the village as a whole, the pastor extracted a text from the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. He said when we read through we see when Nehemiah heard the news of the broken walls and the burnt gates of Jerusalem, he wept.

This reflects the fact that while it is true that God is in the throne he will bring good out of evil. That truth does not legitimate the feelings of sorrow that arise within a person. Thus Nehemiah faced these facts of honest feeling rising in his heart for his Jerusalem. Nehemiah was in a foreign city serving the government of that nation.

"The broken walls and the burnt gates of Jerusalem portrays the old Lelefiru, the Lelefiru you once adored as home is all gone. The school closed down for two years. The church building was destroyed by the swelling waves and the pastor's house was left abandoned at the mercy of the angry waves only to be rescued before it was destroyed."

Pastor Eka said the theme, Rebuilding Lelefiru, in itself is quite a challenge but the village looks forward to building a team of loyal families and friends who will support and give financially. "For this concept the interim working committee is appealing to their brothers and sisters "Lelefiru Atutemori" living in and around the country and abroad to assist rebuild their home.

If you have the sympathy for your Lelefiru, it is the that you are a true son of Lelefiru, therefore we need you in the rebuilding task.

For more information on the new church building project, call the Lelefiru WF Chairlady Mrs. Sari Posu on mobile # (675) 7288 4099 or the Secretary Mrs. Horope Mesea on mobile # (675)7687 4594.

"Cane man" of Hula Remembered

2010-03-01T13:33:00.000+10:00

By BENNY SANDEKA

MANEMANEA Primary School on the coastline of Hula in the Rigo District of Central Province this week remembered a great teacher, disciplinarian, a fighter for woman rights and underprivileged and above all, a mentor of ethical, responsible behavior.
He is none other than Allan Jones (not the Australian TV commentator). Allan Jones, from Adelaide in South Australia spent the best years of his life in Papua New Guinea - ten of them, in Hula where he was the headmaster of Manemanea Primary School.

Those ten years were not a total waste as his two nieces found out when they took a trip back to Hula and back in time to see where this great educator has spent his life. They were not surprised when people came out in numbers to tell how this great man has touched their lives during their association with him.

And when each one of them went down memory lane to recall different acts of discipline administered by Allan Jones, they wept openly because Allan Jones has had a great impact on their lives to make them become what they are now.

"He inspects us from head to toe every morning," one lady recalled. "When he finds that we have lice in our hair, he would push us into a bucket full of kerosene," she said.

Children who have long fingernails, he would use his cane, which he carries with him wherever he goes, and beat the fingers until the long fingernails come off. Girls with long unkempt hair are at the mercy of Allan Jones' scissors.

Many recalled that children would run off to their parents to seek refuge and ask them to face off with Allan Jones. But when they arrive at the school, Allan Jones often gave them a long lecture on what good his discipline will do to their kids in the years ahead.

Given the stand he took, many people not only feared him, but also respected and had a high regard for this great educator whose method of educating people is not only confined to the limits of his classroom walls.

Allan Jones also had a heart of a saint. Whenever children are in the classroom and he sees a poor old woman carrying heavy loads, he would suspend his entire class and ask the boys to help the elderly woman to wherever she is going. There are other times when Allan invites children to have dinner with him at his house. During the course of the dinner, he would instill in them table manners like "excuse me, pass the salt please" etc..

During the holidays, Allan Jones would take some children down to Australia. But one former student recalls, it was not all a vacation.

"After breakfast, he will ask us many questions about what we did not understand in school. We will sit down and read and write every morning during the vacation," the student recalled.

But despite these, a few remember lighter moments. There is a girl whom Allan Jones affectionately calls "Alice in Wonderland" for letting her mind slip off during class times and would not concentrate. Allan Jones also took her to Australia where she had a good time looking after his cats at his Adelaide home. Another, he affectionately calls "Joy Bells" because her name was Joy and that she was given the opportunity ringing the bells at appointed times.

Many stories of this great man about in Hula especially those who have been through Manemanea Primary School during his administration.

Having an impact in the hearts and minds of people with whom he has spent his best days of his life, Allan Jones' cremated remains were brought back by two of his great nieces, Kathee Bowyer and Louise Jeffery to be laid among the people whom he has inspired.

A memory was erected to his honour and the school in which he was ruled with ultimate discipline was renamed after him - the Manemanea Primary School now being called, the Allan Jones Memorial School.
Rigo District Administrator, District Education Advisor and local level government president of the area where all there to witness 'home coming' of the late Allan Jones remains and change of name of the school.

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (RWSSP)

2010-03-01T13:24:00.000+10:00

By WATSON GABANA

TWO separate theories in human history have the same beginning: The Theory of Evolution by Charles Darwin and the Creation Myth in the Christian faith has something in common. And that is water.
According to the patriarch, Genesis 1:1 says that in the beginning, when God created the universe, the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness and the Spirit of God was moving over the water. Again as you reflect the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin, you will remember your science teacher talking about a single cell amoeba emerging from the water and that was the first creation of life.

Two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen combine together to give life to earth. This liquid without color, taste or smell is indeed the most essential element of human life but has been overlooked and given little nor no attention at all in every phase of development. As you sit back and take stock of the recipes that make up human life, you will notice that water (H2O) is inclusive in every thing we do. It is life and death!

In this article, I wish to expound on this important human need and illustrate its importance in the lives of everyone who needs it badly. You will go on to read about amazing things an organization is doing to eradicate water borne diseases by providing sustainable water and sanitation management programs in the country.

In 2006, the government of Papua New Guinea and the European Union developed a partnership to involve in the funding of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program (RWSSP) in the country.

An EU grant of K12.8 million was awarded for the implementation of the first phase of RWSSP. In the first phase which began in 2006 and ended two years later, grants were given to 30 non state actors (NSA) who worked with 133 different communities, providing access to clean water and sanitation for 76,700 beneficiaries.

Harewelle International and Mott MacDonald of United Kingdom are implementing the European Union funded Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Program in the country. They are a group of committed and industrious individuals working in some of the most remote parts of this country providing technical advice and assistance in promoting access to save water supply ad sanitation facilities.

No roads means nothing. Water is a need. Walking two hours every day to fetch water for drinking, cooking and washing is a chronic hassle for many communities, especially mothers and children in this country.
"Without water, there is no life," Stuart Jordan, Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Program engineer said when discussing about the programs implemented thus far under the European Union funding.

The Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (RWSSP) funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the European Union commenced in February 2006 under the supervision of the Department of Health.

Phase I of the Programme was completed in August, 2008. The Phase I budget included a provision of Euro 3.5 million (K12 million) for the implementation of RWSS projects over two years and eight months. Due to a satisfactory performance, Phase II started in January 2009, and will run for three years with a substantially larger budget for RWSS project implementation.

On Wednesday this week, contracts were signed to pave the way for the implementation and sanction of the second phase of the programme. The seven non-state actors involved include ADRA, Salvation Army, Baptist Union, Oxfam and CARE.

Under this programme, 35 district health officers will be trained in up-to-date hygiene and sanitation promotion methodologies. These district officers will work alongside NSA staff in promoting life-saving hygiene behavior change, preventing diarrheal diseases and epidemics such as cholera, typhoid and flu.
The expected outcome of this second phase of the programme will see water and sanitation schemes in approximately 400 rural villages, 20,000 improved toilets, 170 gravity fed systems, 1,300 water tanks (rain catchment) and 70 shallow wells and boreholes. This means 230, 000 people in rural communities are expected to benefit from the programme.

The RWSSP has been designed to optimize rapid implementation by channeling grants through NSA with existing experience and capacity for implementing integrated, community demand driven, small-scale RWSS projects.

NSAs are contracted for the implementation of RWSS projects based on the approval of proposals they submit to RWSSP. The proposals were evaluated by a committee comprising the Department of Health, The Department of National Planning and Monitoring and the Office of Rural Development. A key area of concern for RWSSP was the sustainability of the RWSS schemes constructed. This was addressed during Phase I through an appropriate community development strategy and procedures, including arrangements through which requests for RWSS schemes were driven by community demand.

This strategy is considered essential in order to avoid the mistakes of previous RWSS projects in PNG which failed to create sufficient sense of community ownership due to a top-down implementation approach of donors, government and implementing agencies. To promote community ownership and sustainability of RWSS schemes community contributions to a project, in cash and in kind is a pre-requisite.

To become implementing partners NSAs need to have existing general management capacity as well as capacity either for the complete implementation of integrated RWSS projects or else capacity in one or more of component areas (community development, capacity building, RWSS technical design/construction, training or awareness raising on cross cutting issues of HIV/AIDS and gender) gained from the other projects of a similar nature.

An NSA capacity building component was developed by RWSSP to enable an increasing number of NSAs to access and manage programme funds over the programme period and to broaden the geographical coverage of the Programme. Capacity building was, and will continue to be, directed primarily towards strengthening and supporting the NSA to implement and integrate the various component areas of RWSS projects as required by the RWSSP.

In order to improve sustainability further, and to prioritize hygiene and sanitation, capacity building of NSAs during Phase II will concentrate more upon Community Management, Community Led Total Sanitation, Participatory Hygiene & Sanitation Transformation and Participatory Water Supply & Use Decision Making. This is expected to produce higher sustainable outputs, and results which may be considered international standard of working best-practice.

Under Phase II the networking of communities, NSAs and local level government will receive increased attention. By bringing together the stakeholders involved it is hoped that the projects and the capacity of the NSAs will be enhanced so that on the completion of the programme there will remain well maintained schemes and the skills to further meet the needs for clean water and improved access to sanitation. In addition the creation of working partnerships between stakeholders should result in longer term development benefits in the area.

Globally, 1.1 billion people lack safe drinking water and 2.6 billion people are without sanitation. The Millennium Development Goal (MDG) indicates halving this proportion by 2015.
So far, a lot is desired for Papua New Guineans to take ownership of these initiatives and embrace the programs in our villages.

"Mothers can make more gardens if the time spent in fetching clean water is minimized," Stuart said.
If Eda Ranu and Water board concentrate in providing clean and safe water to the 16 percent of the urban dwellers, the other 84 percent in the rural areas need help from somewhere else. The European Union funded RWSSP seems the way for now.

Note: In the next issue, I wish to discuss with you impact projects implemented in some of our rural areas. We'll keep in touch. wgabana@yahoo.com

Logging sites potential breeding grounds for prostitution and corruption

2010-03-01T13:17:00.000+10:00

By DERRICK KII REUBEN - Parliamentary Reporter

'SEPIK sex ring busted' as reported in The National (18/02/2010), is just a tip of an ice berg where our local women and young girls as well as students are lured into having sex with foreigners for money and other valuable items as well as with the hope for better lives.

Unfortunately, that story never went further to explain how long these immoral activities have been going on at the logging site, the origins of the company and the nationality of the employees.

There are far too many cases of similar incidents occuring everyday at logging sites throughout the nation and especially in the coastal areas. Exploitation of our young women has sadly gone unreported simply because no law enforcing agencies, woman groups or churches put up the fight against these perpetrators or aliens at the village level.
It is also a sad scenario when our government officials are involved and are collaborating in such illegal activities.

I first came to notice similar strange conduct and behaviors by foreign employees of an Asian owned logging company in 2003.
During December of that year a friend and I were on our way to my his village when we decided to spend two days at Boroai logging camp near Napanapa Oil Palm plantation in the Mile Bay Province.

In that camp I noticed with interest there were semi wooden houses constructed below hilltops which housed the expatriate supervisors and foremen while some of the locals who came from far distances just to get employed there were forced into 'dog cage' like long wooden structures divided into blocks without any sleeping utilities. It was mere open space with pure rough wooden floor and roofing.
These young men were full of muscles and energy and would not bother about the freezing cold and buzzing mosquitoes all night after the day's hard work starting from around 6:30 a.m and they would often finish late in the afternoon depending on what time they were picked up.

Among them some of whom I had the privilege of interviewing expressed with frustration how they were treated by their bosses who were of Asian origin.
One such notable mistreatment they raised was concerning their wages. Most of the new recruits were really underpaid. Even after long hours of work some of them would be paid on an hourly rate of K1.00 - K1.50. In a fortnight they would normally receive K75 - K90, all of which goes towards their living expense and nothing much was left to send to their families back home.
"If we were to stay back home we would hardly have any cash in our hands so we come here and work hard at least to earn something" one said with smiles on his face yet deep within one would easily tell he wasn't a happy man.
Even today Asian owned logging companies continue to pay our local workers at K1.50 to K1.80 per hour, which was the case during my visit last Christmas to Sabiribo village in the Abau District - logging is currently underway operated by Tion Cung, a Malaysian owned company.   This is in direct breach of National Minimum Wage Board approved rate.
So life goes on for these young and middle aged men and women most of whom are illiterate or achieved formal education as far as grade 6. Each day brings greater challenges for them without somebody to fall back to air their concerns and grievances.

For the beautiful young girls, their engagements were for a different reason. They were given jobs like house cleaning, laundry, cooking and clerical office work. And what goes on behind closed doors is anybody's guess.
I had actually saw few pregnant girls residing at that particular camp and I was reliably told that they were victims of sexual abuse on a daily basis.
I was also told that most of these young women were made pregnant in exchange for job engagement and on-the-spot cash payments for sex.
Literally, these foreigners of Asians origin had no respect for the customs and traditions that exists there.
What happens there is a direct result of the remoteness and nil existence of rural based economic activities that forced young men into slavery and girls are vulnerable to exploitation and losing their virginity to foreigners.
To make matters worse I could not see an officer from the National Forest Authority who would normally be stationed at the logging site to monitor all timber put down and being exported.
If there was any, they may have been based at Alotau, the capital of Milne Bay Province, which is about a hundred kilometers away from the logging site. What goes up in the jungle was all at the mercy of the logging company.
Bribery seemed prevalent at such a logging site when dealing with Government officials thus, last week's report in one of the dailies (18/02/010) concerning a senior female government officer among local girls involved in providing sexual favours to the foreigners in the East Sepik province was not a surprise to many.
It is about time the National Government through its line agencies like the National Forest Authority, Labour Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Immigration tighten-up the existing laws as well as make new amendments to fix the loop-holes to ensure our land and its people no longer fall victims in the hands of foreigners.

Author's note: The logging company that operated in the Boroai left when its contract expired and today there is no tangible development brought in by that company.
For further information Derrick can be contacted on the following. Email: rderrickkii@yahoo.com.au

Nandex storms into Wewak

2010-02-22T16:38:00.000+10:00

By CYRIL GARE

ST MARY'S Wirui Primary seventh grader, 14 year old Cyril Bolox was very disappointed that his school was unable to accommodate a visit for seven times world champion kick boxer Stanley 'head hunter' Nandex on Monday.

By force, his dad had to catch up with Nandex at Windjaamer beach motel at a dinner hosted by official sponsor, Joe Gabut in conjunction with Kurakum Lodge Wewak to satisfy his long-waiting wish - to meet Stanley Nandex in person.

Nandex met the young man, signed his autograph and posed for a photograph with him before flying out of Wewak early Tuesday morning. Bolox plans to produce a portrait of the photograph.

The head hunter flew into Wewak late Sunday afternoon following an invitation by East Sepik Kick Boxing Association. He officially launched the association on Monday paving the way for Wewak to start preparations for the Momase Kick Boxing title fights in June which it will host.

Coordinator and PNG Games kick boxing gold medalist, Mark Sai said some 500 fighters from the region and country will attend and Wewak will need around K100,000 to play host.

To much delight and excitement, Kreer primary was the only lucky school in town to have the kick boxing sensation visited where he addressed staff and students on anti social behavior. He shared his life story after having dropped out of grade six at Sembirigi in Southern highlands where he originates.

"You can be champions too not just in sports but in everything that you want to do in life. But you must be disciplined, respect others, and stay away from drugs, home brew, alcohol, smoking, HIV AIDS and other anti social behavior if you really want to be a champion like me...," Nandex told students.

Official sponsor and promoter, Joe Gabut expressed grave concern on break down in social values resulting in escalating social problems in East Sepik and the country and urged parents to be more involved with their children.

"I have been supporting sports and kick boxing is one code that I feel I should support because it instills high level of discipline and change mind sets of our young people to become positive contributors to nation building," Gabut said.

Led by two singsing groups from Wewak islands, Nandex arrived in Wewak to a rousing fanfare where he addressed a crowd at the airport and again as late as 7:30 pm at Kurakum Lodge Wewak where he was accommodated. Sepik Music School brass band ushered him to awaiting singsing groups, and the SDA Church choir sang a special welcome note before the official cutting of ribbon at Kaindi YC hall on Monday morning by the champion fighter.

There Nandex officially congratulated the Team Sepik kick boxing squad for bagging five gold medals and topping the PNG Games in that respect. He also announced the selection of three Papua New Guinean fighters on scholarship to Australia in April for three months, one of whom was Sepik's very own, Mark Sai of Kadowar island.

East Sepik will send a delegation to Chimbu in March for the National Titles.
From the national titles, Mr. Nandex said PNG will send 15 fighters to Spain in November to compete for professional boxing.

Nandex flew out of Wewak early Tuesday morning to Port Moresby where he was expected to sign a new job contract with Exxon Mobil, developers of the LNG project this week.

He resigned from professional kick boxing this year sighting "no right and suitable candidate in my division to contest the belt I am currently holding..." as the primary reason. At time of resignation, Nandex have fought 49 professional fights with five losses and 44 wins. He successfully defended his world title seven times the latest being a 18 seconds TKO world record.

Envoy's PNG connection

2010-02-22T16:29:00.000+10:00

From among his long list of tasks, Ian Kemish is also here to brush up his Tok Pisin.

By WILLIAM NATERA

IAN Kemish sits on a couch in the Australian High Commissioner's residence on Touaguba Hill. Seven meters from where he sits is a balcony which offers a magnificent view of Fairfax Harbour, dotted with vessels.

Straight ahead, the Napa Napa oil refinery, a testament to Papua New Guinea's development. To the right lie the Motuan villages of Hanuabada and Tatana and to the left downtown Port Moresby, a hive of activity.

Ian was appointed Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea on 12 January 2010, but his first 'posting' to PNG was as a four year old in 1965.

"A lot has changed", was Ian's response to a question on whether he has noticed a difference between PNG today and the PNG of his childhood.

"There has been a lot of development and economic growth, especially over the last year or so. The population has changed - increased - but I have to say that I notice more the things that are the same."

"The people are the same. Papua New Guineans are both gentle and astute, an attractive combination which I remember very clearly.

"Growing up here makes me no expert in modern-day Papua New Guinea - I have a lot to learn - but it did give me a lasting affection and respect for the people," Ian says.

Ian first came to PNG when his father took up a position with ELCOM, now known as PNG Power. This job took Ian and his family to Lae - where Ian's younger brother was born - Rabaul, and Port Moresby. During his last two years in PNG, Ian's parents worked at the University of Papua New Guinea, where his father was in charge of stores, transport and housing, and his mother was secretary to the Vice Chancellor. A thirteen year old Ian and his family left PNG in 1973, but as Ian grew older he continued to treasure the memories of his childhood in PNG. He missed climbing trees and running wild. He especially missed the freedom of his shoe-free days at Waigani Primary School.

"PNG was a colourful, warm and friendly place, and when I went back to Australia I missed it, and looked back on it as where I came from," he says smiling.

He looks relaxed, happy to be back in PNG, and very much at home.

Ian's wife Roxanne tells how for 30 years she has listened to her husband's stories about his PNG childhood. Ian has been back three times since 1973. The visits were work-related and short, and he's pleased to be here again for the 'longer haul'.

Before his posting to PNG, Ian was Australian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, a position he held from April 2006. Prior to this, he was First Assistant Secretary, International Division in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. His overseas service has included postings to Vienna and Brunei, and he has also worked on secondment with the New Zealand Ministry of External Relations.

After Berlin, Ian and Roxanne felt the timing was right for the move to PNG, and pushed hard for it to happen.

"The Australian High Commissioner to Port Moresby has always been regarded as one of the top Head of Mission posts that Australia has, and I felt ready for it. The fact that I grew up here made the appointment a little more special," Ian says.

They add that this is their first posting without one of their two daughters - both university students in Brisbane - so the proximity of Port Moresby to Brisbane was also appealing.

"But the main reason we wanted this posting was the work, and making a contribution to a country that Ian has such a strong connection with," Roxanne says.

Ian believes the current Papua New Guinea-Australia relationship is in very good shape. "The overall tone of the relationship is a very positive one at the moment," he says.

The visits by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to PNG and the visit by PNG Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to Australia in recent years have contributed enormously to the relationship.

"We have quite a lot going on now. It's a big agenda. I think that we will see further positive change," Ian says.

He adds that PNG's economy stands to grow significantly and Australia is absolutely delighted for PNG that it was able to attract investment in the PNG LNG Project. Ian is equally as delighted that he'll be able to contribute towards the strengthening of the two countries bilateral relationship.

Roxanne listens patiently to her husband. Molly - the couple's black cocker spaniel - is happily stretched-out at her feet. Coming from Berlin - their last posting - to PNG was very different for Roxanne. Unlike Ian, this is her first time here.

Dr Gelu and his political insight on PNG

2010-02-22T16:16:00.000+10:00

A SCHOLARLY book titled Pacific Ways: Government and Politics in the Pacific Islands which was recently published by the Victoria University Press (2009) has been highly recommended for use in Papua New Guinea schools and higher learning institutions.

One of the contributors from PNG is Dr Alphonse Gelu. Dr Gelu who was at the University of Papua New Guinea (now at the National Research Institute) was invited by Dr Stephen Levine, Professor of Political Science at the Victoria University of Wellington in 2006 to contribute a chapter on the politics of Papua New Guinea.

The chapter on Papua New Guinea looked at the system of government; elections and political parties; the constitution; and provincial governments. The chapter looked at each of these processes and institutions and how they have evolved over time. The information on Papua New Guinea is useful for those who are interested in gaining some knowledge on the politics of Papua New Guinea since 1975.

Dr Gelu who has always had a keen interest on the politics of Pacific Islands states teaches a course at the University of Papua New Guinea called South Pacific Politics for more than 10 years. Many of his former students (including Solomon Islands) now work in the public service, some in areas of foreign relations and security and they benefited from the materials and subjects covered in the course.

He also assisted to teach a course called The Political Economy of the South Pacific with Dr Tupeni Baba, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education in Fiji at the Pacific Center at the University of Auckland in 2002. Dr Gelu himself has a wide knowledge about the politics of each island states apart from Papua New Guinea.

In giving an overview of the book, Professor Levine wrote that the literature on the politics of the Pacific islands remains much slimmer than for other regions. The number of island states and territories, and their distance not only from one another but also from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, are obstacles to an ongoing familiarity with political developments or a basic knowledge of government institutions. It is perhaps not flattering to Australia and New Zealand sensibilities to note, furthermore, that ignorance about the politics of these two countries is not much less widespread than for other Pacific Island countries.

The book aims to redress this balance by providing the kind of information for the Pacific that is readily available for nations in other parts of the globe. This volume provides expert chapters examining the politics of each Pacific Island state and territory, discussing its historical background and colonial experience, its constitutional framework, political institutions, political parties, elections and electoral systems, and problems and prospects. The book is comprehensive, covering all regions - Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia - and all countries, irrespective of their size or political status. The states and territories range in size from Australia and Papua New Guinea on the one hand, to Tokelau, Rapa Nui? Easter Island, and Pitcairn on the other.

The region comprises 16 independent states, each a full member of the Pacific Islands Forum. These countries include: Australia and New Zealand; Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji - members, as well, of the Melanesian Spearhead Group; Tonga, Samoa and Tuvalu; Niue, and the Cook Islands, self governing in free association with New Zealand; Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau (Belau), independent in free association with the United States; Kiribati and Nauru. French Territories are also include; French Polynesia (Tahiti), Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia. United States territories are also included American Samoa, Guam Northern Marianas and other smaller islands which include Pitcairn, Easter Island/Rapa Nui and Tokelau.

The Pacific remains an interesting region of the world moving away from that label of being a paradise with coconut threes and beautiful women swaying with their grass skirts to a region that has a part to contribute to the changing global environment. The process of globalization has made the world smaller and the Pacific is now an integral part of the globalised world.

It was the purpose and ambition of this book for there to be a chapter written about the politics and the institutions of government of each states and territories, and this has been achieved. The authors, individually and as a group, are well qualified to describe, discuss and analyse the government and politics of each of these countries. Each has had extensive experience with their subject matter, either personally or professionally.

Most of the authors are scholars, from a range of disciplines including political science, law, history, and anthropology. Not all of the authors are academics; the group includes diplomats, politicians, public servants (and part-time advisors) and a journalist. Some were born in the Pacific; others have lived or worked in the region, on particular islands, for considerable period.

The book would be an important text for students in undergraduate and graduate courses dealing with the Pacific region - its politics and international relations. The information on the politics and political institutions of the Pacific will also be useful to Pacific policy makers and to others with professional interests in the island states and territories of the Pacific.

The result of this book is an informative and useful set of analyses of Pacific political experience - political institutions, constitutional processes and electoral systems - providing a basis for evaluating the quality of governance, and the durability of commitments to constitutionalism and democratic values. There may once have been a singular Pacific way - or at least the ideal one.

As the chapters in this book demonstrate, however, the details of governance around the Pacific are perhaps now better described as Pacific ways, diverse approaches to the fundamental problems, common to all nations, of how a society is to be organized for the purposes of responsive, representative government.

Melanesian Brotherhood

2010-02-22T16:05:00.000+10:00

Missionaries meet new challenges in re-evangelisation

PIVO is a two day walk from Kerema or an eight-hour dinghy ride up the Vailai and further up the Lohiki river.
Here in this isolated part of the Gulf province is situated an Anglican mission station. There is no priest but the parish is served by four men who are doing so out of their love to serve God and other persons. By living and working there, they are living out their vow to own nothing of their own (poverty), remain unmarried for as long as they are there (chastity) and always obey their superior (obedience).

Obeying the superior therefore includes going anywhere in the country they are assigned - which is where they are in this very isolated part of the Gulf province.

At Moreguina, in the Abau District of Central Province, another group of such missionaries are at work. There the parishioners are mainly mountain people of Milne Bay Province's Agaun area who have come to settle and work on the rubber plantations on the lower plains of the neighbouring Central Province.

These missionary men are members of the Melanesian Brotherhood, a ministry of the Anglican Church that was founded in 1926 in the Solomon Islands.
(ABOVE: Brother Campbell Yakawa and Brother Matthias Onderi at the ATS Settlement house in Port Moresby.)

The founder is Ini Kopuria, a police sergeant in the Solomon Islands police force then. In 1937 he traveled to the West New Britain Province of PNG with a view to establish a "household" there for a team of his brothers. The church in the New Guinea Islands was then under the Church of Melanesia whose headquarters was in the Solomon Islands.

The diocese of Papua, pioneered by Englishmen Albert Maclaren and Copland King had its headquarters at Dogura, Milne Bay Province. Dogura then was established under the Australian board of missions.
The Melanesian Brotherhood were to establish a ministry outpost at Kandrian in West New Britain but the Second World War forced the missionaries to abandon their plans and head back to the Solomon Islands.

In the forced retreat, the Catholic missionaries also stationed in the province at that time urged the lone Anglican priest there to accompany them to Vunapope in East New Britain. The Anglican missionary refused and instead gave a chalice, stole and cassock to his friends telling them, "take these and keep them to remember me." He remained and was martyred by the Japanese. His grave at Vivilo, Kandrian is another sad reminder of that phase of missionary activity in the region and country.

Years later Bishop David Hand approached his counterparts in Solomon Islands to send brothers to NGI and then to Madang, Goroka, Siane Valley, Jimi and Simbai.

In a typical first encounter in a Highlands village, two of these Melanesian brothers were captured and tied and the chief was called to determine their fate.

In a miraculous twist in events, the village chief told his people not to kill as the two men were there with good news. Whatever that good news was, he was to know it only later on through the ministry of the two "captives."

The man who told this story, Brother Matthias Onderi, attributed the survival of the brothers to an intervention of God himself.

From that incident on the brotherhood was quite successful in converting hitherto heathens of parts of Eastern Highlands, Jimi in Western Highlands and the neighbouring Simbai area in Madang Province - at the behest of the last Archbishop Sir David Hand.

Today, the ministry of the Melanesian Brotherhood, has largely moved from one of converting heathens to one of urging people to return to the mother church.

According to Brother Matthias, "in this new millennium there are no longer any heathens to convert. The brotherhood's ministry has shifted from evangelization to re-evangelisation."
Port Moresby diocese bishop Peter Ramsden agrees. He said a lot of people have drifted away from their upbringing in Christian families.

For such people, the Anglican community has a specific petition to God that is recited during Mass: "We pray for those who have lost you that they may find you again."

Asked if he would be just as happy if they "found Him again" outside the Anglican circles, he said because of their Anglican upbringing, it would be better if they returned to the mother church.

This is where the Melanesian Brotherhood comes in. "MBH helps Anglicans come back to the church," Bishop Peter said. Bishop Peter said many Christians have left the church through the growth of urban centres. There are many challenges to the church in the modern world of consumerism and secularism. The growth in cities and modern lifestyles are challenging to Christian and Melanesian values, the bishop points out.

Basing on his experience of working as a priest in Jimi and Simbai, Bishop Peter said church provided schools and health centres were better run when the whole community cooperated through the agency of the one faith, be it Anglican, Catholic or whatever. When later on other faith groups ventured into such areas, schools and aid posts began to suffer neglect and lack of care because of divisions or reduction in the number of willing hands to help maintain them.

Even social issues such as urban poverty and HIV/AIDS are great challenges the church need to face up to.
The Melanesian Brothers are a self-sustaining ministry but there is also a group of laity known as companions who pledge to support them financially and materially.

Brother Matthias said in most places where there are households of brothers there is ample gardening land for them to work on for survival. Their local chapels and their companions do provide regular support as well. However, he noted with concern that support from companions has been on the decline, due to various reasons including perhaps the high cost of living for urban dwellers.

The Port Moresby diocese has a house of brothers at the ATS settlement, better known as the Oro Camp. There are four brothers led by a senior. One of them is young Cambell Yakawa who had recently completed a three year training for his work.

In an urban settlement area, the brothers' work involves visiting youths, families and encouraging people with special needs such as addicts and the destitute.

Brother Campbell has been assigned to the Aipo Rongo diocese and will be serving at Simbai, Madang Province.

The past few weeks most of the brothers were in conference at Popondetta. When they return from there to their posts such as Pivo and Moreguina, young Campbell will travel to Simbai to start a new mission life away from his Milne Bay home.

Man of God remembered on Moukele

2010-02-15T14:14:00.000+10:00

By JOE IVAHARIA

HISTORY was retold of a great missionary who gave his time serving the United Church at Mabuduan village along the coast of the mainland of Western Province.

At an occasion to mark the placing of the headstone for the late Rev. Ilaila Pokana at Moukele (Fisherman Island) last weekend, guests who included his adopted clan members from the Umumere clan of Mabuduan village were on hand to witness and celebrate his good deeds.

Late retired Rev. Ilaila Pokana was born on 30th April, 1943 to Pokana Kila Verave (father) and Kila Kanama Pokana (mother) and was the eldest in a family of eleven.

The family was from the Poerupu clan of Hula but migrated to Daugo Island, commonly referred to as Moukele or Fisherman Island. ('Mou' means island and 'kele' means separate).

Retired Reverend Ilaila Pokana passed on to be with the good lord early last year on February 2.
At the time of his retirement from pastoral duties on January 7, 1995 the late Reverend Pokana had served the United Church with distinction for 33 years starting as a young pastor, then missionary and evangelist.
Ilaila Pokana took up the call to serve as a trainee pastor whilst working for the Government in the early 50s and 60s when the Methodist London Missionary Society (LMS) missionaries came to Papua (Southern Region).

His first posting was to Samarai, Milne Bay Province at the Five Bay Pastoral College accompanied by his young wife, Notau. It was in Samarai where his eldest son Puri was born in 1966.

Then in1967, Ilaila took up studies to become a missionary at Rarongo Theological College in Rabaul, East New Britain Province. He and his wife were then officially married into the church.

From Rabaul, the late reverend was posted to the Central Province to serve the Kadeboro Circuit of Rigo after the amalgamation and inauguration of the Methodist Church (LMS) to become the United Church of PNG and Solomon Islands at Rarongo in January, 1968.

Having spent two years in Central Province, Reverend Pokana and family were transferred to the Western Province in 1971 where he became the Daru Circuit minister.

It was in Daru that Reverend Pokana moved to the mainland at Mabuduan village to become their pastor and missionary serving the people and at the same time moving from village to village along the coast and inland of the mainland to spread the gospel.

At times he would be called to the nearby Torres Strait Islands of closets to the border of Western Province to conduct his pastoral duties as an evangelist while spreading the Good News.

Late Reverend Ilaila Pokana was adopted by the Umumere clan and was still regarded as a member until his death early last year on February 2.

It was at the late reverends headstone erection that his story was told as family members of the Poerupu clan gathered together to share food and pay homage to a great man of God.

The late Reverend is survived by his widow Notau and five children, Puri, Ole, Kila, Notau Jnr and Navu.
He was an active member of the Moukele community after his retirement and was very instrumental in establishing the Daugo Primary School now on the island where he also became the founding School Board Chairman.

The school currently is a top up school with classes from elementary to grade eight.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) harmful to our mothers

2010-02-07T18:46:00.000+10:00

By WATSON GABANA

IN THIS article, I wish to draw your attention to another major sex related problem our sisters and mothers may encounter as a result of excessive and unprotected sexual behavior.

I remember talking to you about cervical cancer and the relationship it has with the Human Papiloma Virus or HPV. Now I wish to expound on another medical problem exclusive to our beloved mothers and sisters.

Well sex is good and is enjoyable as I've said time and time again. But good things come with their foes. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is very common in our country. Each of the bacteria, protozoa, virus or parasite that is transmitted through sex has immense negative impacts on the lives of many families - especially husbands and wives in our country. One such problem that is common to the female population of this country is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID.

What is PID?
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a general term that refers to infections of the uterus (womb), fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus) and other reproductive organs. It is a common and serious complication caused by of some sexually transmitted infections, especially chlamydia and gonorrhea.

PID can damage the fallopian tubes and tissues in and near the uterus and ovaries. PID can lead to serious consequences, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the fallopian tube or elsewhere outside of the womb), and obscess formation and chronic pelvic pain.

How common is PID?

PID is a very common problem all over the world. More than 100,000 women become infertile each year due to causes of PID. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 1 million women experience an episode of acute PID.

There aren't enough documents and research done to show how urgent PID is in PNG. But as you visit clinics, health centers and hospitals, clinicians will tell you that PID is a very serious and urgent health problem in the country.

"Mothers come every day to the clinic complaining of abdominal pains. I just give them pain killers, because I only have that (medicine) with me," Jenny Huambi at the Gangalu Health Centre in Mananda, Komo district told me once.

"I even don't know if this are causes of STI or any other infections," this community health worker, who has been working in this clinic for the past 13 years said.

To shed some light into this particular disease, I wish to explore more to give confidence to our sisters and mothers who can easily access clinical services to serve their life from intimidations, confusion and motherhood.

How do women get PID?

PID occurs when bacteria move upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs. Many different organisms can cause PID, but many cases are associated with gonorrhea and chlamydia, the two very common bacterial STIs.

Sexually active women in their child bearing years are most at risks, and those under age 25 are more likely to develop PID than those older than 25. This is partly because the cervix of teenage girls and young women are not fully matured, increasing their susceptibility to the STIs that are linked to PID.

The more sex partners a woman has, the greater her risks of developing PID. Also a woman whose partner has more than one partner is at greater risk of developing PID, because of potential to exposure to more infectious agents.

Women who douche may have a higher risk of developing PID compared with women who do not douche. Research has shown that douching changes vaginal flora (organisms that live in the vagina) in harmful ways and force bacteria into the upper reproductive organs from the vagina.

Some signs and symptoms
Symptoms of PID vary from none to severe. When PID is caused by chlamydial infections, a woman may experience mild symptoms or no symptom at all, while serious complications/damages is being done to her reproductive organs. Because of vague symptoms, PID goes unrecognized by woman and their health care providers about two thirds of the time. Women who have symptoms of PID mostly common have lower abdominal pain. Other signs and symptoms include fever, unusual virginal discharge that may have a four smell/odor, painful intercourse, painful urination, irregular menstrual bleeding and pain in the right upper abdomen (rare).

Diagnosis
PID is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are often subtle and mild. Many episodes of PID go undetected because the women or her health care provider fails to recognize the implications of mild or non specific symptoms. Because there are no precise tests for PID, a diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings.

Therefore, this means that every woman or girl under the age of 25 should report or tell her health care provider of anything unusual that she detects about her personal experiences and life - especially anything to do with her sex life. It is very important that young girls should prevent themselves from the gonorrhea or chlamydia diseases. These two STIs cause PID. It is very important that girls and mothers who have unprotected sex, sex without a condom should see their doctors or health care providers to get medications that will demise the PID development. Gonorrhea and Chlamydia destroys the reproductive organs that can lead to infertility and chronic pelvic pain.

Husbands who are not faithful to their wives or girlfriends and have multiple sexual partners should check themselves for STIs and get treatments before they should have sex with their wives or girlfriends. This is being responsible and caring.

Remember readers, sex is beautiful so enjoy it with your hubby. God made it sacred and enjoyable for two people (a husband and wife) to enjoy the ultimate gift of marriage.

It would be sinister to plunder around, contract a virus from someone and download it onto an innocent person allowing her/him to suffer unknowingly. This is really unethical, inhuman and unchristian.

Again remember, all STIs except HIV have medication. Go quickly to the health centre, ask the nurses and get treatments.

wgabana@yahoo.com

No mountains too high

2010-02-07T18:38:00.000+10:00

Aussie Garry Joske walks Kokoda Track to bury the pain of a departed wife
By BENNY SANDEKA

LAST year alone, two Australians lost their lives whilst walking the famous yet treacherous Kokoda Track. Several others died whilst trying to access the track by air and walk into Port Moresby.

Thousands of others make it through each year. Some have walked this arduous track once. Given its rough and rugged terrains, very few of them walk this track twice.

Whilst some walk this track to re-live the memories of hardships Australian 'chocolate soldiers' have endured during the Second World War, others walk for fund raising activities for different causes back in Australia whilst others walk to earn fame. The latest to walk for fame is an Australian paralympian.
But there is one Australian who stands out from the rest.

Please meet, Garry Joske. From Gold Coast in Australia, Garry has walked this treacherous journey from Kokoda into Port Moresby not once, not twice, but five times! He has climbed the highest peaks of Isurava and Efogi, crawled across fast flowing rivers over trees that were partly washed by rivers, walked the muddy tracks in torrential rain, or simply camped in an open fire in the dark starlit nights while forest insects sang choruses and lullabies as he slept.

(Right-Garry and friends on the Kokoda track)

Whatever the encounters may be, Garry enjoys it all with every step he takes either up the muddy and slippery track or across the fast flowing rivers.

And along the way, he has taken a good collection of pictures of the flora and fauna of Kokoda track, its panoramic views and simply the people and places across the track which once saw the bloodiest conflicts in theatres of war.

He has done it alone with a handful of nationals on two occasions. When word spread through his network in Australia that Garry was coming back for another walk, several people joined him. And from Port Moresby, they flew into Girua airport in Popodetta and via a truck into Kokoda where they begin their excruciating walk across this famous track.

"I have made a collection of all the stick I used when walking along the Kokoda Track. Every time I come and walk the track, I go home with a stick," Garry said once.

These sticks are his self awarded trophies for his bravery along one of the world's most hazardous tracks. He has already five and there is still room for more if this Gold Coast adventurer is keen on taking on the peaks of Isurava and Efogi again.

"I walk because I have been very hurt. Walking this challenging track takes away the pain in my heart," Garry told this writer after his last trip in 2004. Garry was heart broken after his wife for many years divorced him and opted for the man many EMTV viewers in the late 1990s will know only as The Man from the Snowy River. Garry has gone down on bended knees and begged his wife to return but she didn't, forcing Garry to take the challenges of the excruciating Kokoda Track. And when he walks, every step he takes, and every breath he inhales, Garry misses his wife so much. He made no secret when he wept openly after his last trip recalling those merry moments they both shared prior to her departure along the track.

So this was his reason for taking on Kokoda Track a record five times. Has anybody beaten that record yet? Over to your TPA.

Many thanks to Jessie Lapou, formerly Post Courier reporter for filling in the gaps. And congratulations to Garry for becoming a grandfather. Now memories of Kokoda will live on.

Reaching the highest bars

2010-02-07T18:21:00.000+10:00

By BENNY SANDEKA

A MOTHER of nine children, a diploma in nursing, post graduate qualification in nursing and mid-wifery and a law degree without a blemish qualifying her to be admitted to the bar this week.

How does that sound? Pause for a moment and take it in - how Margaret Asinumbu Kimala juggled motherhood and a diploma in nursing, a post graduate qualification in nursing and midwifery and within a span of less than nine years, a Bachelor of Law admitted to the bar to practice law in national and supreme courts of PNG.

Thanks a thousand times to her loving husband, Joe Asinumbu, a graduate Civil Engineer with the National Department of Works. Unlike many men in PNG who do not back their wives to reach new heights in their career, Joe Asinumbu is of a new breed of a man. He had every confidence in his wife's abilities to succeed in whatever field and backed her all the way through to attain double degrees in two different professions.

After 15 years of service to the health department, Margaret's husband encouraged her to go back to school to upgrade her qualifications. With his backing, Margaret has not looked back since then. In 1997, she completed her studies in mid-wifery at the College of Allied Health Sciences at the UPNG's school of nursing. She again went back for studies in nursing education and graduated with a diploma in 2001. Four years later, she walked down the podium of UPNG's School of Medicine with a Bachelor in nursing and this week, a Bachelor in Law.

"When I saw my wife doing well in her studies, I knew she could do even better. She has shown a lot of potential in excelling," said her supportive husband of many years.
Potential identified, Joe made sure his wife is free of all motherly responsibilities. He took a few of his relatives including his own mother to take care of all the household chores whilst his wife concentrates on her education.

"Through my husband's undying support, I made it through. And I really thank him for that," said Margaret with a smile.

When lovers take Valentine's Day off to tell each other how much love they share between them, well for Joe and Margaret, there is no need to speak. Actions speak louder than words. Both of them have spoken volumes by their actions more than words - Joe gave the opportunity for his wife to attain the much envied and sought after profession in life and for Margaret? Well she gave nine beautiful children to the man of her life. Their eldest son is 18 years old now studying at UPNG whilst the youngest is 2 years old.

Margaret has been working towards a cause. During her years as a nursing officers and health educator, she has come to see unnecessary loss of lives as a result of professional negligence by medical practitioners. And she will be out to ensure the standard of medical practice is lifted.

"Being a nurse and a lawyer at the same time, now I know what should really be done to avoid professional negligence.

"I am now in a better position to advise and advocate on issues of professional negligence of my colleagues in the medical profession," Margaret said.

Margaret hails from Teremanda Village, in Wabag, Enga Province. She is married to a loving Western Highlander part Sepik.

She was described by the Director of the legal training institute at the admission that Margaret "was one of the senior woman at the Institute. She has shown a lot of maturity and perseverance."

Tima explores Amazon Bay's vast country

2010-01-30T13:10:00.000+10:00

By GENO NAU-BUGA

WILSON TIMA, aged in his mid 40s walked for days to the remote hinterland of Mirigeda in the Amazon Bay area of Central province and returned home infected.

His infection was not malarial or from any tropical diseases, it was cerebral. (Pictured above right - Enjoying fresh cool bath in a flooded jungle stream)

Tima was infected by the beautiful memories of a slice of paradise that just won't leave his mind.

Armed with a digital camera, this adventurous man from Kainantu in Eastern Highlands province, braved the waves of the Amazon Bay, the rugged terrains, fast flowing streams and the leech-infested river beds to walk into the territory of Nunuma and Balebo to enjoy the adventure as well as capture the magnificent scenery.

Many people would be wondering particularly what a Highlands person was doing in that far corner of the country which borders Central and Milne Bay provinces.

In fact, Tima and his family have been living at Moreguina or New Town as it is commonly referred to by locals from Abau for over a decade. Moreover, Tima has become familiar with that part of eastern Papua as a sort of luxuriant backyard, a more tranquil, natural and beautiful place to visit when life in the teeming city of Port Moresby which is a couple of hundred kilometers is too hectic.

Tima has been a teacher for over ten years in that remote part of Central province. He taught at St Stevens Primary and Amau Community in the Cloudy Bay area then to Manabo and Magaubo community schools in the Amazon Bay area.

In fact, his two daughters have been born at Moreguina and the girls can speak the local Domara or Magi language of that part of Abau area fluently. (Pictured above - The start of the journey at Mirigeda beach.)

Prior to Tima' posting in Central province, he was assigned to remote schools in the Star Mountain area of North Fly in Western province. His first posting was at Golgobip primary school in the Star Mountains.
Tima, in an interview with this scribe pointed out that nowadays, most people in urban settings lead a hurried tense life. Therefore, visiting a remote place can enable them to feel released from such pressure.

"Being posted to remote schools since I took up teaching I seem to naturally fall in love being in rural places of the country,
"Just by living and working there you get to know the local people, make friends and enjoy their company,
"It is even cheaper because you are given a small portion of land to make gardens to supplement your family meals and sometimes go out with locals for hunting and fishing trips," Tima explained.

He said the nearby forests and its natural habitat and the cool flowing streams give a sense of pleasure, warm and peace brought about by the beauty of nature.

Wilson's journey began on December 18, 2009 when he left his family at Moreguina and boarded a house-boat spending K100 to travel to Mirigeda. He was accompanied by four other local men, who became his good friends because they shared betel nut, smoke, stories and even old newspapers to roll their tobacco while crossing the rugged terrains and the leafy canopies of the forest.

"Most of my friends are peace-loving and easy-going and I enjoy their company very much," Wilson said.
Tima's love of living in remote locations in the country just came naturally. Being a primary school teacher, education agencies he was employed with deployed him to some of the remotest community schools in the country. Sadly though, most of these schools lack proper infrastructure and teachers who are posted to these schools are often disadvantaged in basic services that their fellow colleague teachers in urban centers enjoy.
Eagelwood presence

Tima's trip to that section of Central province was for fun. However, he utilized that opportunity to assist the local people sell and market their Eaglewood, also called agarwood, gaharu or aloeswood. The wood is known around the world for its highly valuable perfume and incense. Reportedly, PNG is one of the last remaining frontiers for natural areas of these trees.

Tima claimed many black-market buyers have been going into these areas of Cape Rodney and Amazon Bay looking for the wood. They even convinced the locals and go with them right into the bush to locate a tree suspected of having the resin harvested from the trees. Unfortunately, villagers are then paid only a small fraction of the real value of the wood while the black market buyers receive more.

He said he uses his own resources and finance to travel to the remote location and lives with friends he trusted.

It usually takes him three days to walk to the mountains where eaglewood is found.
Due to the remoteness of Nunuma and Balebo not many locals have travelled out to sell their Eaglewood to get an income. Moreover, the people have not been properly trained to manage eaglewood in a sustainable manner which in the long run would benefit their rural community thus improve their quality of live.

"Many people have gone into the area and have tricked the people that they will being the samples and later come back to inform them," Tima said.
"The poor people have no idea that even samples have monetary value," he added.

Nature's beauty
The forests of the Amazon Bay area, together with the mangroves on the coastal fringes are source of wellbeing for many of the indigenous communities. They provide life's essential such as food, water, medicine and free services like erosion control and protection from effects of climate change like rising sea level and temperature.

The people's heavy reliance on the environment due to the lack of basic infrastructure like roads to bring services into this remote corner of Central and Milne Bay provinces is putting pressure on new generation of leaders and technocrats.

Through his conversing with the locals, Tima found out that there were logging activities in the area previously. During the course of harvesting the trees from the forest, the exploiters mainly the Asians have left the people high and dry afterwards. Moreover, the local people had to fend for themselves in order to have access to basic services normally through their own expense.

Tima said the prices of trade store goods in that part of PNG are very high. A one kilogram packet of price is about K10. A kilogram of sugar is about K8 and a packet of Maggie noodles is about K1.50.
The feeder-road used to transporting timber down to the coast for shipment has been left unattended to and grasses are growing again on this once busy road used by loggers to bring their harvests to the shores to be shipped.

According to Tima, it is the cry of the local people to see either the Central Provincial Government or the local MP take aggressive steps to promote the distinctive natural resources to local and international tourists or conservation agencies.

In doing so the people will have some form of income and maybe create business activities to sustain and improve their quality of life.

Father's son a true blue cop

2010-01-30T13:01:00.000+10:00

The Yoresongo family (right)

Below the OIC directing traffic at the party

Jim Yoresongo celebrates 30 years of his childhood dream

By OMAE KOAKE

HIS FATHER was a respected tribal leader, mediator of conflicts, law man, peace advocator and his role model who inspired him at a very young age.

Meet Jim Yoresongo, the current Officer In-Charge at the Accident Research section of the Royal Papua New Constabulary Headquarter in Konedobu, National Capital District.

His is typical story of how young boys admire their heroes and try to emulate them; in this case, a son who wanted to be like his father, his hero.

Jim Yoresongo was born in June 1961 in his Yore village, Mendi in the Southern Highlands and spent all of his childhood in his contemporary native village until his educational opportunities took him places. For him, in fact, he had seen two worlds, the colonial era and the current modern times.

In the colonial days when life was said to have been traditional and hostile in nature, Yoresongo senior, was a ' luluai', a mandated title given by the then German Administration to a person who was a type of village ' councilor. ' His father on numerous occasions was called upon to mediate over land disputes, marital problems, court cases and advocate for peace and good order in the society. To the people, Yoresongo Senior was a very important person in the society because of the roles he performed. Most of all it was the type of uniforms the luluais wore that caught everybody's attention and of course, young Jim was one of their secret admirers.

Everywhere he went to perform his luluai duties, he was always given pigs, shells and foodstuff as a token of appreciation for attending and solving problems. This kind of attention bestowed on Yoresongo Senior made the younger Yoresongo follow him everywhere and had only one aim in life and that was to be like his father.
Jim recalls a war between two neighbouring tribes that happened some time before he entered school. Police and warders entered his village and arrested 10 tribesman and took them away to Madang for imprisonment of up to 10 years.

During that time, Jim saw the police and warders in action, again boosting his desire to be like them and his father, the people who controlled law and order in his village, province and the country.

After running around his village with friends playing childhood games, hunting birds, bandicoots, wild pigs and collecting fresh fruits in pristine rainforests and the grassy plains of what was then known as the " last Papuan frontier ", today's Southern Highlands Province, Jim enrolled for Grade 1 in 1968. It was the first time he heard and learnt the white man's language and quickly developed the curiosity to learn of the outside world which was only imaginations for him. This was the turning point in young Jim's life because it signified the beginning of what was to be a long and colourful journey of Jim's life.

He completed Grade 6 in 1973 and went on to high school. In 1977, he graduated with a Grade 10 Certificate and had to decide on the available options for further studies. He was eager to join the correctional services, the police and military forces but unfortunately, there was no such applications available. There were job applications open only for teachers Colleges, technical colleges and nursing training. He to and was accepted at Lae Technical College. The Department of Education gave him an airline ticket and advised him to go by road to Mt Hagen and use the ticket to fly to Lae from there. It was to be his first time to leave his families, friends, tribesmen and beloved home to venture out to the open world to grasp what the new world had to offer to him.

He travelled to Mt Hagen and spent a night at the police station as advised by the people who gave him the ticket to Lae. It was his first time in Hagen city and did not know the place and did not even have relatives there. The next day, he picked up his bag and started to head for the Kagamuga airport about seven miles out of Hagen city. As he was up early that morning and happened to be the only one on the road carrying a bag, the police unit on patrol mistook him for a thief and stopped by to question him. He simply told the police his story that he had a ticket to go to Lae and he was on his way to the Kagamuga airport. The patrol policemen shook their heads and told him it was a very long walk to the airport and instead offered him a lift
He was so thankful to the cops and again the thought of him being like them just kept streaming back into his mind.

Jim graduated in 1978 with a certificate in Catering and his first employment in 1979 was with the Bird of Paradise Hotel in Goroka. But about five months into his first, there was a public notice out for fresh police recruitment of young men who were interested in joining the force. He did not give the opportunity a second thought because down in his heart, he knew that his childhood dreams were to become a reality. He was going to be like his father, wearing the lawman's uniform and solving disputes and maintaining law, peace and good order in the society. After a successful interview for police training, he never looked back because that was the start of the road to becoming like his father.

In November 1979, he entered Bomana Police College for six months training and passed out as a policeman . His first posting as a policeman was in the NCD's Hohola Police Station as a traffic officer and then due to the traffic office relocation to 4 mile, he moved there in 1982. After serving for two years in the city, he transferred to Mt Hagen in 1984. It was while working in Hagen, he met his wife, lifetime partner and mother of his children, Mrs Christine Yoresongo. In 1989 me was transferred to Lae with his your family.

From Lae, he was transferred back to Port Moresby in 1992 as a traffic officer and then on to the police Headquarters in Konedobu the same year. He has been working in NCD since and has being promoted to be the Officer In-Charge( OIC ) of the Accident Research section of the Police Headquarters, Konedobu.

Jim Yoresongo has now served the State of Papua New Guinea through the police force for 30 solid years and he is pleased with himself that he is finally where his childhood dream wanted him to be. Unfortunately, his father, role model and his greatest inspiration, Yoresongo senior, passed away after Jim passed out from the Police College and has never seen his beloved son carry on his legacy.

In commemorating his 30 years in the Police Force, a big party was put up for him at the NCD Botanical Gardens in mid-January this year. Family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and people who know him were invited to the party to celebrate.

Jim Yoresongo is still with the Police HQ and told the Sunday Chronicle that he still has the strength and vigour in him to give another 20 to 30 years to the country. Jim is...pikinini tru bilong papa ya!!

Australia's own history of apartheid in PNG

2010-01-30T12:26:00.000+10:00

Controversial Pacific academic DR RON CROCOMBE wrote this article for publication on Onlineopinion.com. It adds more fibre and passion to PNG Attitude's forum on the Australian legacy in PNG. Any feeling in Australia that only Papua New Guineans caused the problems they suffer from can only be based on ignorance.

MANY of Australia's colonial and post-colonial policies and practices are a major factor in the problems of Papua New Guinea today, and cause some Papua New Guinean leaders to have serious reservations about their Australian counterparts.

Despite being a colony from the 1890s, Australia ensured that Papua did not get its first high school until international pressure led to its opening in 1955. Very few others were built for a long time in a country of similar size and population to New Zealand .

Likewise for three generations nothing was done to develop Papua New Guinean leadership, in fact everything was done to block its development and ensure that leadership roles and responsibility were held by Australians and that there was no chance for the development of national consciousness or leadership.

I remember, in about 1964, being on a Qantas flight from Port Moresby to Brisbane seated across the aisle from a Papua New Guinean. It was the first time I had seen a Papua New Guinean on a flight to Australia. No one was seated next to him. The hostess gave everyone their meal except the Papua New Guinean.

I assumed it was a simple oversight so asked her if she could please get his lunch, to which she replied with scorn, "We don't feed natives." I objected but she explained, "It's company policy, we are not allowed to feed natives." I took it up with the company and they confirmed that it was indeed their policy - on the advice of the Australian officials who "understood them." That was consistent with their practices on many fronts.
About 1966 John Guise (later Sir John Guise, the first Governor General of Papua New Guinea ) was then an elected member of the Legislative Assembly with the largest majority of any member, and he was Member for Agriculture (a prototype Minister for Agriculture in the lead-up to independence).

He had been invited to study agriculture overseas with all costs paid and visited me to ask if I could help him in relation to the document he (and all Papua New Guineans) were required to fill in to seek approval to leave the country at any time for any purpose. It was an official form entitled "Application for Permission to Remove a Native." The content was as bad as the title.

Guise was offended and humiliated by it but was used to constant humiliation, of all Papua New Guineans, not only by officials personally but by the system as a matter of policy. I was then Director of the New Guinea Research Unit, a facility of the Australian National University (now the National Research Institute) and knew Guise personally.

I saw the Administrator, Mr David Hay, about it and told him I would take it up internationally if nothing was done: not only for Mr Guise but to do away with the document for everyone.

Mr Hay was genuinely embarrassed by the system he was required by Canberra to administer and assured me he wished to have that document done away with and would act on it. He did get an improvement, but restrictions remained tight for years after.

Chris Kaputin was to be deported because she was white and dared to marry a Papua New Guinean, John Kaputin, now Sir John Kaputin, who later became for many years Minister for Foreign Affairs. Only an appeal to the United Nations stopped the deportation. But it did not stop the personal harassment they both suffered.

Any government official who even dared to invite a Papua New Guinea woman to the cinema was whisked off to the most isolated part of the nation or deported back to Australia.

The Konedobu Club was the big club for civil servants at the government headquarters. When Julius Chan (now Sir Julius Chan, twice Prime Minister and a successful businessman and recently Chairman of the Pacific Plan) came back with a degree in commerce from Australia and was appointed to the civil service, he was banned from the Konedobu Club as no non-whites were allowed. He soon left the service.

When the East West Center and the University of Hawaii began inviting Pacific Islanders from all over the Pacific to study there, with funds provided by the US government for the purpose, students from all islands attended - except from Papua New Guinea .

The President of the East West Center told me personally that they wanted to include Papua New Guineans but had been requested by Australia not to do so. We then made unofficial arrangements to get the first two accepted despite the Australian blockage. For fear of international adverse publicity they were allowed to travel. It was a small breakthrough.

When the United Nations Trusteeship Mission issued a blistering critique of Australia for its constraints on education and training, among other things, (and that report was written by the Chairman of that Mission, Sir Hugh Foot, an Englishman and former British colonial governor), Australia could not get enough staff and had to advertise internationally, but it would only do so in White countries.

Every applicant had to send a photo so that, as was confirmed to be by an Australian official in the selection process, all non-White applicants could be weeded out without declaring their racist policy.

And all this time Papuans were Australian citizens and had been since 1906, since Britain required that. Australia had made them citizens without consultation, but would not allow them to enter the country of which they had been made citizens, nor enjoy any of the rights of citizens, nor any citizenship of their own.

When, in the 1960s, some Papuans who were part white Australian and part Papuan, asked to enter Australia , the country of which they were citizens, they were bluntly refused, as were all other Papua New Guineans.
My wife is a Cook Islander who had taught in New Zealand and Cook Islands schools and the Teachers College (and she taught at Port Moresby Teachers College). The first time she went to buy meat at the main Burns Philip shop in Port Moresby she was refused service. She came home in tears after being told that natives can only be served through the outside hatch.

She had been in many countries but never treated like that. She never went back, but it was a small part of the accepted code of the Australian system in Papua New Guinea.

One could recount similar examples by the hundred. These were not isolated or atypical events but were rigorously implemented systematic policies. There were many people of good will and good intentions in the government service there. But their best intentions had to be fitted within the policy and practice of full Apartheid.

Past misunderstandings can be overcome, and many on all sides are trying their best to do so. But any feeling in Australia that only Papua New Guineans caused the problems they suffer from can only be based on ignorance.

The genuine efforts that one sees from many people of all ethnicities and persuasions will pay off in the long run, but it will require deep rethinking of the total relationship (not only between governments) and long-term commitment to contributing to a positive and productive future.

The Mt Lamington tragedy remembered

2010-01-23T10:08:00.000+10:00

By MACLAREN HIARI

ON SUNDAY, January 21 1951 Mt Lamington erupted killing more than 3,500 Orokaivan people in 29 villages and 35 Europeans who were stationed at Martyrs' Memorial School, Sangara Anglican Mission Station and Higaturu Government Station.

The Orokaivans included policemen and medical orderlies who worked at Higaturu Station and prisoners who were serving their sentences at Higaturu Prison.

(Right..Picture of the devastation...a jeep caught up in a tree)

Names of Europeans who lost their lives during the disaster are listed below:
1. Cecil Cowley, 48 District Commissioner
2. Erl Lewis Cowley, 16 son
3. Walter Richard Humphries, 60 Director of Native Affairs
4. Father Denis Taylor, Priest-in-Charge of Sangara Mission Station
5. Mrs. Hector Taylor
6. Taylor, child
7. Taylor, child
8. Taylor, child
9. James Ian James, Patrol Officer
10. Margaret de Bibra, Headmistress, Martyrs' Memorial School
11. James Gleeson, district Officer
12. Mrs. Gleeson, wife
13. Paul Martin, son
14. Dr. Pat Martin
15. Mrs. Olga Martin
16. Terence E. Maher-Kelly, 42, Agricultural Officer
17. Roy Arthur Graham, Agricultural Officer
18. Freda Joyce Graham, 50, mother
19. Maynard Lock, Principal, Commonwealth Rehabilitation & Training School
20. Mrs. Lilitia Lock, wife
21. Guy Margnerite Lock, son
22. Marion Jennifer Lock, daughter
23. Mrs. Elsie Kadock, wife
24. James Jameson Kadock, Works and Housing
25. Frederic William Cook, 29, Works and Housing
26. Mrs. T. Cook, wife
27. Athol James Earl, 26 Patrol Officer
28. Terence John Holihan, 25, Works and Housing
29. Arthur Joseph Williams, 32, Works and Housing
30. Ronald Alexandra Watkins, 30, Works and Housing
31. Thomas Arthur Greenwood, 47, Works and Housing
32. Kevin Victor Bradford, 21, Patrol Officer
33. Claude Devonish Stewart, Works and Housing
34. Robert James Myers, 32, Health Officer
35. Kevin Woiwood, 24, Works and Housing

(Below) Rebuilding at the site of destruction.
Pictures from the Australian National Library archives

The plaque built to the memory of those who lost their lives in the eruption, was unveiled by the Minister of State for Territories, Paul Hasluck in Popondetta on November 24 1952.

Death statistics of Mt Lamington eruption
The eruption of Mt Lamington on Sunday morning of January 21 1951 was the greatest natural disaster to have occurred on Australian- administered Territory of Papua New Guinea. Rising out of the rich gardening land of the Northern District, Mt Lamington was scarcely thought of as a potentially dangerous volcano, but in the days immediately before the eruption, there was increasing rumbling, smoke and tremors. Both the Orokaivan people and the white community thought the activity was evidence that pressure was being releases gradually. On the morning of the eruption messengers carried notes in to be read in church assuring the village people that there was no need to worry.

Just after 10.30 am on Sunday morning of July 21 1951 a paroxysmal explosion released a cloud of intense heat and massive force. The sound of the blast carried over 80 miles and the dust fell on Port Moresby. Within an area of 60 square miles, there was almost complete devastation. The District headquarters of Higaturu, the Commonwealth Rehabilitation and Training School, Sangara Anglican Mission Station, Martyrs' Memorial School, Sombou Primary School, and 29 villages were swept by the lethal cloud. The death toll stood at 3, 738.

Breakdown of death statistics of Lamington eruption have been released for the first time since 1951 by a Papua New Guinean historian, Maclaren Jude Hiari who has been researching into the myth of Sumbiripa Kanekari. Mt Lamington has long had a central position in the Orokaivan world order which the people regard it as the centre of the cosmos. It is the place where in Orokaiva myth, death, war fare and fire originated. Most of the transforming deities who are said to have established the rituals and social customs of the Orokaiva came from the crater of the mountain.

The mountain is called Sumbiripa Kanekari, "the separation of Sumbiripa." The mountain opened up and split into several facial features. Sumbiripa who was hunting on the mountain with his wife, Suja, got separated and found themselves on different features. Sumbiripa became the first man to die, thus becoming the master of the mountain.

The statistics of Mt. Lamington death toll are provided below:
* 3, 256 Orokaivan People in 29 villages
* 210 Schoolchildren from Martyrs' and Sombou Schools.
* 35 Europeans including Anglican missionaries.
* 90 Papuan policemen and their families.
* 75 Prisoners including 59 wartime troublemakers
* 15 Papuan Medical Orderlies
* 48 Papuan Laborers
* 11 Papuan Missionaries and their families

The jungles now hide the scars of Papua New Guinea's greatest peacetime tragedy...the 1951 Mt Lamington Eruption that killed more than 3, 500 Orokaivan people and 35 Europeans. It occurred 59 years ago.
But among the jungle roots and wet earth are thousands of death. On that disastrous Sunday morning of January 21 1951, Lamington virtually blasted Higaturu Government Station, Sangara Anglican Mission Station, Sombou Primary School, Martyrs' Memorial School and the Sangara Coffee Plantation off the face of the earth.

In the confusion and chaos of that day and the gruesome weeks of clearing up that followed, most of the bodies were given quick burials in mass graves. About 27 kilometers away at Popondetta, grieving families of the 35 Europeans killed, erected headstones in a special cemetery.

Now, the horror of Mt Lamington has been re-lived-because the local Orokaivan people going back into the area have stumbled across skeletons. Local people including Wellington Kogora and his children have located bodies in the ruins of the hospital, the prison and the police barracks at Higaturu and a Sangara Mission Station and Martyrs' Memorial school.

Last year the Director of the Kokoda-Buna Historical foundation, Maclaren Jude Hiari visited the former sites of Higaturu Government Station, the District Commissioner's Residence, Sangara Anglican mission Station, the station cemetery, Martyrs' Memorial School, Sombou School and the Commonwealth Rehabilitation and Training School. He located several bones of possibly an Orokaivan native on the grounds of Sangara Mission Station.

Mr. Hiari visited the former site of the large breadfruit tree at the edge of the station where the Australian Army unsuccessfully tried on two occasions to hand Papua New Guinea's leading war criminal, Embogi, but managed to do on the third attempt together with four men from Waju Village in the Kokoda District on July 5 1943. The breadfruit acted as the temporary gallows. He also visited the former site of proper gallows on the amphitheatre hill on at Higaturu government Station where the Australian Army hanged 79 Orokaivan men during 1943-1945. He also visited the graves of two woman missionaries, May Hayman and Mavis Parkinson and the Papuan teacher-evangelist, Lucian Tapiedi at the cemetery at former Sangara mission station which is forgotten and uncared for.

Mr. Hiari then stumbled into several wrecks of jeeps and concrete posts of a gate leading into the official government station and the wrecks of trucks, jeep, steel posts and bars and a heap of more than 80 bags of cement at the former Commonwealth rehabilitation and training school; which turned into rocks as a result of the disaster. At that time Cecil Cowley was the District Commissioner who was one of the 35 Europeans killed.

The Higaturu foothills beneath Mt lamington covered with bodies - there was nothing much they could do straight after the explosion. It was a shambles. Many of the bodies were not buried properly because the volcano area had been declared (straight after the eruption) a dangerous place in which to live. Village people had stayed out of the area for many years. Now, some Orokaivan people including Wellington Kogora and his children from the Paingoufu Clan have returned home to the former disaster zone and built their homes where they are living today.

Mr. Hiari's visit was to inspect the original sites of wartime hangings, the former government station, the former Anglican Mission station, the Martyrs' School, the cemetery and the former Commonwealth Rehabilitation and Training School in order to complete the writing of the manuscript on the Australian Army's hanging of Orokaivan men in Higaturu.

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Cervical cancer is caused by an STI virus

2010-01-16T00:39:00.000+10:00

By WATSON GABANA

I WAKED into the Gusap Health centre outpatient department on September 10 2009. It was close to 10 am, the place was beginning to be filled with patients with specific health needs, complaints and infections. I was the 11th on the line. Behind me were mothers with their kids in slings and bilums hanging from their necks. We were about 100 of us in total waiting for our turn.

A young nursing officer, maybe in her early twenties was serving us. After a brief introduction, I asked her to see a sexually transmitted infections (STI) expert. When I mentioned, STI, the young nurse got the shock of her life. She uttered no words. She fell to her knees giggled and vanished into the building. I stood there astonished and belittled by her unprofessional response. After a long 30 minutes wait, a male staff came to the scene, ushered me out of the reception area to the back of the building and tried to interrogate me. He asked me what my problems were and wanted to help me out.

I smiled at him and said; "I don't have any problem mate. My problem is your reaction to STI clients."
Actually, I was there for that very purpose. I wanted to see and learn the immediate reactions and responses of service providers when someone (client) approaches them and wants to discuss and disclose his/her STI or HIV status for that matter. I wasn't seeking any STI medication. I wanted to find out how clients and patients were treated during their initial contact.

This particular episode prompted me to share some common STI facts with all. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a huge problem in the world and here in Papua New Guinea. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 1999 STI report, about 340 million new STI cases are reported annually. There are 31 different types of pathogens that use sex as their way of transmission. Sexual activity is the way these pathogens get from person to person. These 31 include bacteria, virus, protozoa, and parasites. Sexual activity usually means very close contact involving intercourse, although some can be transmitted without sexual intercourse such as scabies and pubic lice which we can catch from sleeping in a bed where the sheets were not washed or changed which the previous person had these infections. Children also can catch the scabies mite from playing with each other and close physical contact.

STIs are common. HIV is actually one type of STI.

According to WHO in their 1999 report, an estimated 340 million new STI cases are recorded each year all over the world. These are only cases on the major known STIs including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonasis. The figure does not include herpes or warts or HIV. STI mostly affect young people (15 to 30 years) due to the reality that many young people experiment sex with several partners. STIs often have no signs or symptoms. Symptoms and signs often go unrecognized.
Someone may have more than one STI at the same time. It involves more than one person. Re-infection is common, if sex partners are not treated at the same time. People with STI are just the same as everyone else - in fact they are everyone else as well as you and me.
Service providers' oversight can be detrimental to the lives of many of our mothers in this country. One particular STI that is becoming very common and is affecting a lot of our mothers and sisters is the human papilloma virus (HPV). This particular virus causes the genital warts and cervical cancer killing 1 out of 10 pregnant mothers in Papua New Guinea.
Breast and cervical cancers are the most common cancers reported by our national cancer unit in Lae recently. It is an indication that these two forms of cancers are affecting our female partners and if nothing is done, most of our mothers will succumb to these preventable and avoidable viruses.
As preached and proclaimed all over, prevention is better than cure, I wish to illustrate here how the cervical cancer can be prevented at the first instance. As I've mentioned above, HPV is an STIs and all are transmitted only through sexual intercourse. A poor mother should have not contract the cancer if she had not have sex. Women, mostly child-bearing mothers are falling victim to this cancerous virus and we need to find ways in order to stop unnecessary death. Maybe in order to do that, we need to know the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is an STI. There are many HPV viruses but not all can cause cancer. About 80 per cent of us (male) have this virus. HPV virus comes in varying forms and categories. It is activate from our system during our first sexual encounter. Some cause genital warts and are low-risk and some can lead to cervical cancer and are high-risk. There is no known cure for HPV in the medical world.

Then what is cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer occurs when abnormal cells on the cervix grow out of control. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancer can often be cured when it is found early. It is a usually found at a very early stage through a Paps test.

What causes cervical cancer then?
Most cervical cancer is caused by a virus called HPV. HPV is contracted by having sexual contact with someone who has it. There are many types of HPV viruses. Not all of HPV causes cervical cancer. Some of them cause genital warts but other types may not cause any symptoms at all. A woman can have HPV for years and not know it. It stays in the body and can lead to cervical cancer years after the body was infected. That is why it is very important for you to have regular Pap tests. A Pap test can find changes in cervical cells before they turn into cancer. If you treat these cell changes, you may prevent cervical cancer.

Common symptoms
Abnormal cervical cell changes rarely cause symptoms. But you may have symptoms if those cells changes grow into cervical cancers. Symptoms of cervical cancer may include;
- Bleeding from the vagina that is not normal or a change in the menstrual cycle that one can't explain.
- Bleeding when something comes into contact with the cervix, such as during sex or when you put in a diaphragm.
- Pain during sex.
- Vaginal discharge that is tinged with blood.

Diagnosis
As part of your regular pelvic examinations, you should have a Pap test. During the test, the doctor scrapes a small sample of cells from the surface of the cervix to look for cell changes. If a Pap test shows abnormal cell changes, your doctor may do other tests to look for precancerous or cancer cells on your cervix. The doctor may also do a Pap test and take a sample of tissue (biopsy) if you have symptoms of cervical cancer such as bleeding after sex.

Treatment options
Cervical cancer that is caught early can usually be cured. If the cancer is caught very early, you still may be able to have children after treatment. The treatment for most stages of cervical cancer can and makes you unable to have children. These treatments include;
- A hysterectomy and removal of pelvic lymph nodes with or without removing both ovaries and fallopian tubes - (surgical removal of the uterus)
- Radiation therapy (use of high dose x-ray to remove cells)
- Chemotherapy (use of medication to destroy cancer cells)

Prevention
Yes! Every sexual active woman must have regular Pap test. It is the best way to find cervical cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer. The virus that causes cervical cancer is spread through sexual contact or intercourse. The best way to avoid getting an STI is to not have sex. If you do have sex, practice safer sex, such as using condoms and limiting the number of sex partners you have.
There we are. Husbands and wives need to sit down together and discuss their sexual health needs. Do see doctors and health professionals now.

Those in the Jiwaka area and Western Highlands can go to Tininga clinic or Kudjip Nazarene Hospital near Banz. There are facilities also in Gusap at the Ramu Valley, Laiagam and Porgera Hospital, Moro Clinic, Kikori hospital in Gulf, Siroga Clinic in Popondetta and all other major provincial hospitals.
Pass on the message; tell every woman and girl to go for the Pap test. There is no harm going and seeing a doctor which is far better than to suffer from cervical cancer and die. If a service provider reacted like my sister in Gusap, don't give up.

Writer's e-mail: wgabana@yahoo.com.

William the Sniper gives up his bad ways

2010-01-16T00:29:00.000+10:00

By PETER MEKSON MAIYA

NEW Year is a time when people make resolutions to quit their bad habits and live better and God-fearing lives.

Some live up to their promises while others do not and fall back to their old ways again, though they make solemn oaths in front of family members, pastors and local leaders.

One such person is William Piam, a notorious criminal in the trouble-torn area of Nebilyer sub district, outside of Mt Hagen city.

Mr Piam, commonly known as 'Sniper' in the area, is the leader behind the planning of hold up, rapes, and looting along the highway between Nebilyer and Mendi, thus painting a bad image for the whole of Nebilyer valley.

Since he left school some 16 year ago, he had no option left and thus opted to live a life that involved terrorizing innocent travelers along the highway, looting cargoes and raping innocent girls and women. Last week he called it quits and turned to God and the local communities for forgiveness.

In a exclusive interview with Sunday Chronicle this week, this most feared young man said he is really sorry for what he has done and begs his local communities, leaders and God for forgiveness.

He also extends his apologizes to those who have been victims of his bad deeds and seeks their forgiveness and begs them to forget what has happened to them.

A remorseful Mr. Piam added that his past years were like he has been living in a prison camp with no freedom of movement and time to spend with his family.

He also regrets that as a young man in the village, he has miss other opportunities of venturing into micro businesses like others, adding that it was not too late to start now that he wanted to look forward to the bright future ahead and never to look back.

This now also sends a message of peace for commuters along the Nebilyer and Mendi portion of the national highway who travel with fear in case of intimidation by criminals both day and night when reaching that particular section of the highway.

Village leader and local councilor Paias Pekep heaped praise on Mr Paim for making the right decision for his future in the New Year.

A proud Mr Pekep said crime and tribal fighting have tarnished the good image of once peaceful Nebilyer valley, adding that now is the time to bring back the glory days and his decision was the start of good things to come in the years ahead.

The former president of Nebilyer Local Level Government Council said since the on going tribal fights between the two warring tribes, Kuglas and Ulga/Ukupas have subsided some years ago, the only existing activity in the area was road blocks, looting and rape by the criminals.

And he said with the surrender of ring leaders like Mr Piam, other cohorts will follow suit, paving for peace and harmony for the trouble torn valley.

It is also understood that a bigger ceremony including the official surrendering of all criminals with their guns, will be organized at a latter date, with officials from police, government authorities and others to witnessed and seal the occasion.

In the meantime, Mr. Piam is calling upon the general public and commuters to contact him on mobile 71794737 and report on any incidents along the Nebilyer and Mendi section of the highway so that together they can assist to identify and bring to justice those still around. He added that the highway will be a safe road to travel after the new year and onwards.

Cultural mapping commences in Gulf

2010-01-16T00:24:00.000+10:00

By SAMSON KENDEMAN and ABBIE COLLACO

FOR the first time in history, the Papua New Guinea National Cultural Commission (NCC) is conducting a pilot Cultural Mapping Project (CMP) throughout the country.

The main objective in carrying out this cultural mapping project is to preserve, protect and promote both the traditional and contemporary arts and cultures of the people of PNG.

The pilot testing of the CMP was done in Tauri- Lakekamu Local Level Government in the Kerema District of the Gulf Province with the official launch on Friday, November 28, 2009 at Malalaua Station.
Prior to the launching and the initial research and collecting of data being carried out, awareness and publicity was conducted in advance making sure information is spread through them.

After the launch, the six teams of field researchers were recruited, trained and dispatched to the project area.
Those six teams consisting of 18 potential researchers then proceeded to their respective destinations in order to begin their data collection of tangible and intangible cultural elements as presented below in the subsequent sections.

The pilot testing of the cultural mapping project anticipates forming the basis of the inventory work on CMP for the entire country.

A preliminary research survey conducted by the National Cultural Commission officials in the Mailovera area in the Kerema District from 24th to 26th of January 2008 established dialogue with the local community on the understanding that Mailovera area would be the project area used for pilot testing of the CMP.
A preliminary report on the survey resulted in further consultations between elders of the communities and NCC.

These consultations were important in which identification of appropriate levels of protocols and channels of communication is necessary to ensure the local communities of the pilot project area are informed of the intention of cultural mapping project.

The project did not eventuate as originally intended at Mailovera. However, the NCC opted to include all the 9 wards in the Tauri - Lakekamu LLG, Kerema District in the Gulf Province. These include, Titikaini, Heatore, Heavala, Putei, Titikaini, Okavai and Kakoro.
Wanton/ Ieva and Kakiva wards were left out due to the terrain and rugged mountain, cannot be accessed by either dingy or on foot.

A total of 18 potential researchers made of six teams both within the NCC and outsiders who have been engaged on part-time employment were deployed to the area to carry out research work for the durations of two weeks.

After the completion of the research, they returned to Port Moresby with their information and data for the actual documentation to be recorded.
The CMP should not have been done, fortunately it all began in the 1970s when our founding father Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare first visited Canberra and expressed his wish to preserve and develop the cultural heritage of our people.

It was evident that our former colonial masters were sympathetic towards such wishes but it also depended very much on who was leading the ruling party in Australia.
We can now acknowledge the good will of Australia as our former colonial administrator and an extra ordinary bond established between Honourable Gough Whitlam, who was then, Australian Prime Minister in 1973 and our founding father Sir Michael Somare, who was then our Chief Minister at the time.
In his visit to Australia, Sir Michael expressed his feeling for our nation's history and way of life and his Australian counter - part responded positively.

Again, in 1973 at the University of Papua New Guinea graduation ceremony; the Australian Prime Minister officially expressed his sympathy as well as his intention to fund the cultural development program for the graduating Papuans and New Guineans would soon be the leaders for the independent nation in not too far future.

He promised to make available Australian five million dollars which was to fund the construction of National Museum, establishment of National Arts School and Institute of PNG Studies.
These were the most needed infrastructural development which paved the way for the call for the overseas cultural institutions such as museums to repatriate our tangible cultural objects of cultural and historical significance.

This process was openly welcomed and supported by UPNG academics in the fields of Anthropology and Archaeology.
We are now very privileged to venture into and taking part in that process of cultural development which began even before the birth of our nationhood.

Hence, the pilot testing is aimed at achieving the overall objective of the cultural mapping project and that is to identify record and document all the traditional cultural heritage of the people of Papua New Guinea. The outcome of the pilot testing should form the basis of inventory work for the full implementation of the national cultural mapping project throughout the country.

Having said this, the traditional and contemporary arts and cultures of the people of Papua New Guinea are prominent enough to be recognised at the top of the hierarchy of laws.

In this sense, the NCC is established with the responsibility to preserve, protect, develop and promote the traditional arts and cultures of the people of Papua New Guinea.

It functions through its three Institutions; the Institute of PNG Studies, the National Performing Arts Troupe and the National Film Institute in implementing work activities and programs to fulfil its mandate.

Gritty Max's tale of Ihu rice

2010-01-16T00:11:00.000+10:00

"It had been a long road to his dream of growing and milling his own rice, but this strong-minded Gulf will do anything - even to the extent of breaking the law - to get what he wanted"

By ABBIE COLLACO

FARMING RICE in the Gulf Province is a rarity. The best and big PNG rice stories are from Mekeo in Central Province and Morobe's Markham Valley.

So growing rice in Ihu district of Gulf Province was started with a young man's determination to trial something new and succeed at it. That man's determination has no paid dividends many times over.

Max Evare started rice farming in 2003. He started off simply with a ice block cup full of rice seedlings that was given to him by his cousin on a visit to Uaripi village near the great Tairuma river, one of the many rivers in the Gulf Province. The rice seedlings were distributed to them by a non-government organization. His cousin gave some seeds to plant at his Karokaro village.

Max took the seed home to Karokaro wrapped in plastic bag, as he recalls. That evening he sat with his family under a lantern light and showed the seeds to his wife.
He explained what the seedlings were all about to his wife and children and that they would plant the rice and see if can grow.

He recalls, "Though I didn't have any knowledge of how to plant rice my family and I decided to give it a go."
That night before going to bed they sat and prayed over the rice seeds. The next day the family killed a live chicken to give thanks to God and for work to commence on the clearing of land and planting of seedlings.
After a day of clearing and burning the next whole day was spent on planting. Without any know how of rice planting, the family went ahead planting rice like corn in the gardens and watered it daily.

Strangely, according to Mr Evare, after three days young shoots from the ice grains sprouted out. The shoots confused Max and through curiosity he had to prove the shoots to see if they were real rice shoots or just another weed.

He dipped his finger into the soil digging out a shoot. Clearing the soil that covered the roots, and to his his surpprise he saw a rice seedling attached to the shoot. That was a joyous moment of his life; he went home and led his family to see what he had discovered.

A youth from the village saw the joy in Max and volunteered to assist him and the three worked on the project. Unfortunately, the young man the late Kueva Hava died in 2008.
After three months from the very first harvest they bagged 100kg (2x 50kg). The family, as usual gave thanks for the harvest. The first taste of their home grown rice brought joy to the family. Villagers came wanting to buy from him.

There was no need to advertise as Max's old father Max Evare Orila, who was indeed very proud of his son and family's achievement, went out on a campaign. People came from all corners and even those from the other side of the rive paddled across the great Vailala River to buy rice at the cost of K3 a kilo.
Milling became a burden as he did not how to pound rice but a Filipino working with at Rimbunan Hijau logging camp invited him to see how he (Roger was his name) did his rice.

Max's eagerness pushed him further, and through trial and error he now pounds his rice perfectly.
The Evare family then proceeded to clearing additional plots of land to plant more rice. Youths and children out of interest gave a hand killing grasshoppers and any other insects that would harm the rice plants.
He knocked on doors of government offices in Kerema but hardly any assistance was given. Then in 2006 Kikori Open Member Mark Maipakai was on an electoral visit to Karokaro village.

Max cooked a pot of his home grown rice, decorated it with rice seedlings and presented it to Mr Maipakai. Nothing could stop the Honourble Member from having to eat the rice without any protein or additions. He ate pure rice. It tasted good and through the satisfaction of eating his electorates' home grown rice and from a young man his family who have had not a single knowledge of farming rice, Mr Maipakai promised Max a rice milling machine and a starting capital of K5000.

Max received the rice grinding machine but the promised K5000. 00 is yet to be given.
The rice grinding machine, however, became the subject of a dispute between the Member's Dsitrict Coordinator and some other person. The machine was taken off him and was locked away and he never used it.

He said, "The dispute wasn't between me and him but because someone in my family did it this affected me also and the project came to halt in 2007.
"Every time I walk past the item I exchanged for a pot of rice, the thought still saddens me as because the machine is rusting away under the house."

Max came to Port Moresby in 2007 and spent nearly a year struggling to get the promised K5000 from Mr Maipakai. His efforts were not successful; his family was left in the village and he was also stranded in the city.

He met up with a Fillipino who was willing to assist him not financially but with his technical expertise in the field of rice farming. He told Max to take him home to Karokaro for him to do soil tests make a feasibility study.

This gave Max a leverage but funding became a problem for him still . Nobody wanted to help.
He put his head down to work; he knew very well the risk he was taking. He could be imprisoned for up to three months if he was caught but who and what else can help?

He worked through October 2008 raising about K600 just through selling of home brewed alcohol. He had a purpose and he achieved another of his objectives. He raised enough to take Larry (Filipino) home to Karokaro and back to Port Moresby.

On the 28 October the feasibility study was completed. Max came into Port Moresby with Larry, a good number of proposals were posted to different organisations for funding but were all unsuccessful.
Max never gave up. He kept on pursuing his need to get himself a rice grinding machine and four months ago the Gulf Investment Trust Fund purchased a rice grinding machine. Even though he got what he wanted he still needed money for land and sea freight. Gulf Economic Development Authority assisted him with K3000 on the 23 November 2009.

Max wasted no time. On November 24, he had a meeting and feast. On November 25 land was cleared at Karokaro, November 26 at Lui, November 27 r at Horna and November 28 at Poiva. The land marked out was about 20- 24 hectres.

As usual there was hardly any assistance form field officers in Kerema town.
Max was fortunate again three weeks ago to receive another donation - a water pump for his group Vailala Intergrated Developent Association from one Papuavape Association, one of the oldest in the Ihu District and the whole of the Gulf province.

The Papuavape Association will assist his group again with 100kg of TCS-10B rice seedlings.
Max is now planning for the launch of the project this year back in Ihu in May 2010. He will be inviting the Deputy Prime Minister, Governor of the Province and the two Open Members with the chiefs of the villages and certain diplomats in the country to the launch.

Max is man with a big heart. People cannot eat dinghies and 40 horse power outboard motors. Man cannot drink oil or gas; rice they can and do. Well done, Max!

Bride-price Tauruba style

2010-01-15T23:51:00.000+10:00

By GENO NAU BUGA

THE FESTIVE season of Christmas and New Year was joyous and fun-filled for many villages around the country. Tauruba villagers in Rigo district of Central province was no exception.

The villagers celebrated in style when they partied from dusk till dawn and even throughout the day with dancing as well as a religious crusade Just before Christmas the village witnessed a rather remarkable bride price ceremony which saw the groom and his family pay the bride's people over K72,000 in cash and goods. The cash component was notably the highest in for the Balawaia language speaking people of Rigo as well as the inland Rigo people. It was paid by the Gutuma family to the Gerega family as form of a traditional obligation. (Pictured above: Rubutau Mega and family prepare their digu to present to the bride's family as food exchange.)

Bride price ceremonies are now becoming popular during that time of the year, especially around November and December for many Rigo villagers such as Tauruba.

Sunday Chronicle paid a visit to Tauruba village in the Rigo district of the Central province to witness a colorful ceremony which eventuated at middle of this rocky mountain villageAccording to Rubu Tau Mega, this custom has been practised for over centuries.

An interesting thing to note was that even first cousins were separated during this traditonal ceremony; some were on the side to present and others on the end to receive. This is merely because those who are from the fathers side had to stick by their fathers lineage and are bound to any obligation required of them.Rubutau Mega and his family had to prepare a traditional digu or heap of food and other goods to give to a first cousin of his, who happens to be from the mother's side of the bride. (Pictured is a Tauruba lad pins on the Kina notes as part of the cash payment during the bride price ceremony.)

Mega said the time for bride price payment is when the recipient side are happy and rejoicing because they are receiving cash as well as other items, which the groom's family members had to struggle to find.
He clarified that in Rigo it was usually the groom who must contribute the largest portion of the payment with other assistance coming from his brothers and other extended family members.Amounts given by the family members are later reciprocated but an additionally percentage is added on top when the particular person who has helped gets his turn to pay a bride price.

AGWI, the commander of men

2010-01-15T23:02:00.000+10:00

MEET Brigadier General Francis Agwi. At age 54, he is Papua New Guinea's newest Commander of the Defence Force who now joins the annals of PNG's military history as this country's 9th head of the military.
Married with four children, Brig Gen Agwi hails from the middle-Sepik river village of Korogu, East Sepik province.

Soft spoken and of short stature, Agwi generates great patience, knowledge and understanding of his art. For any one encountering him for the first time, he gives one the obvious - he is courageous, confident and amass with a lot of stamina.

Reflecting on his career in the PNGDF since 1974, Agwi says the road to the top most rung of the military hierarchy has not been easy. In his words, "it has been daunting and painstaking, though slow in coming. Nevertheless, I have now the job that carries with it a challenge that is enormous".
"My challenge really is to rehabilitate and resuscitate a force that flat on its feet," says Agwi.

As the nations chief Defense and Security officer, the new commander inherits a defense and security detail and therefore a military environment that is appallingly falling apart having been brought virtually on its knees by oft confusing politico-military decisions and policy options trialed over the years in efforts to resuscitate and revive the Force.

These have led to the extent that PNGs premier security detail normally traditionally structured for warfare as characterized by its constitutional role and responsibility has sadly, been reduced of its military psyche.
Agwi is adamant that with the support of government this time around, a critical whole-of-government approach is required to guarantee people, resources and businesses operating in the country optimal protection and security.

He is fully cognizant of the fact that with an ever increasing population of six million plus people, the military-population ratio grossly uneven. It reads at one soldier providing cover for 3,000 people. According to him, this must change for the better if PNG is to cater for its growing population and opening up and doing big businesses with external stakeholders.

In the face of a military force that has virtually been allowed to erode and marginalized of its constitutional character and morality, it will now be left to Agwi's military acumen, the support by government and officers and the rank and file to salvage this national pride institution if PNG was to remain legitimate as a state providing insurance for its people and business.

"Yes, there are watersheds in our recent military history. But we now have the job of working together to raise the standard, to step up to the challenges that are reshaping our military environment. Adaptation is vital if we are to remain legitimate," says Agwi.

"Together with population growth, big business are here together with their own security infrastructure, private security companies both externally based and domestic are employing men and women guards and security providers in numbers greater that the total number of men and women in the PNGDF.
"Strategic resources such as oil has been flowing for the last 17 years or so, gas is being developed for export in a few years time. Nickel/Cobalt is being exported in tones.

"Human security issues such as global warming and sea-level rise is threatening us. Our tuna resources are similarly being threatened. Poaching of our fishery resources is on-going without detection and apprehension.
"Islam as a fundamentalist religion is permeating the Pacific whilst sit with awe witnessing the on-going guns-for-drug syndicates running amok.

"Some of the world's super powers are here doing business with us. We must deal with them through the reshaping of our military environment. Through a system of military diplomacy, PNG must be allowed to determine her own geo-strategic space within the region and in the world.

"PNG must now be in a position to decide how she intends to determine her own fate militarily if indeed there is seriousness in what we do," Brig. Gen Agwi says.
It seems, Agwi has the determination to inflict change. He needs now the whole of government and society's support to realize this change.

For those of us who'd want to know what makes this man of 'iron', someone that will deliver a Defence Force that we could be proud of, the following credential would certainly augur well in resting our anxieties and apprehensions.

The commander grew up and was educated at Maprik and Brandi High Schools both in the East Sepik province where he completed secondary education. Brig. Gen. Agwi was enlisted into the PNGDF in 1974, following high school and a year before PNG gained political independence from Australia. He was among a crop of young enthusiastic men drawn from throughout the country and conscripted to undergo six months of joint military, police and correctional services training at the then designated Joint Services Staff College (JSSC) at Igam Barracks, Lae, Morobe province.

Political thinking at that time was to have these men trained in all facets of military, policing and correctional services leadership and academic know-how from one institution so that these could become leaders and servicemen of their respective state security agencies that could take charge of both internal and security threats, including rehabilitation of law-breakers.
Agwi chose, following training at the JSSC, to traverse the path of becoming an officer of the PNG Defence Force.

As PNG was adjusting from severance of ties with Canberra, Agwi graduated as a military officer on 26th June, 1976, and posted as Platoon Commander at the First Battalion of the Royal Pacific Island Regiment 1st Battalion (1RPIR) in Taurama Barracks, outside of here where he performed all regimental duties and responsibilities.

In 1980, he was posted to the Goldie River Training Depot also outside of here as an Instructor and three years later in 1983, he became the first JSSC-educated officer to be posted as Senior Instructor at the Officer-cadet Training Wing in Lae's Igam Barracks. Many of the current army officers at Lieutenant Colonels and senior Majors rank, including former Deputy Prime Minister Mao Zeming came under his military tutelage and conditioning.

In 1985, following his success at Igam, Brig. Gen. Agwi was posted as Officer Commanding Delta Company at the Wewak-based Second Battalion of the RPIR (2RPIR) at Moem Barracks, East Sepik province where he also became the Operations Officer of the same unit.

Military headquarter posting as Staff Officer Grade two awaited him following his outstanding tour of duty on the Northern frontier. Murray Barracks made him SO2 within the Land Operations Directorate at the time PNG was experiencing upheavals on Bougainville as a result of secessionist threats where Agwi comprised a team that undertook the first reconnaissance prior to landing of troops on Bougainville.

In 1990, Brig. Gen. Agwi undertook a year of advance military studies at the Royal Australian Air Force Staff College, Canberra, Australia. On return in 1991, he was sent to Bougainville for operational duties on Bougainville. He was back at military headquarters in 1995 as Staff Officer Grade 2 assigned again with the Land Operation second time around.

He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and took up posting as Director Training at headquarters, later as Commending Officer/ Chief Instructor of the Goldie River Training Depot. He later returned to headquarters as Director of Military Intelligence.

In 2002, his immediate predecessor, Commodore Peter Ilau appointed him close aide prior to sending him to attend a one year Defence Strategic Studies (CDSS) at the Western Creek staff college in Canberra, Australia. Following successful completion of the course, Agwi was promoted to Colonel and took up the job of Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), the job he held until his current appointment as commander of the PNGDF.

Brig. Gen Agwi is without doubt, a decorated military officer of high caliber, having throughout his outstanding and meritorious career spanning 37 years, schooled himself through many short courses and seminars on military art, management and strategic studies in some of the world's best military schools in the United States, China, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

'My hope rested on the virtues of humility, patience and perseverance because I knew that these do pay off in the end if one is game to follow that path. 'These virtues have proven right for me now following years of loyal and dedicated service to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force,' Brig. Gen. Agwi says. He added that it had even been harder amidst a competitive environment when, rightly so, even eager younger and intelligent officer men were determined to grab the top job and to stamp their own mark in making a difference in the way military operates in this country.

One or two of his men who had one time or another been subjected to his command had themselves become Commanders, he said. These are now factual episodes in my life but now I have this opportunity to demonstrate to the Government and the people of Papua New Guinea that I can do it too. Most importantly, it is my humblest of duty and service to return their confidence through my appointment by way of administering and realigning the army that in its functions and responsibilities that would guarantee and offset threat scenarios both internal and external that poses insecurity both of the government, the people and the rich endowment of PNG's natural resources.

Prior to his appointment, Agwi was the team leader in producing the much talked about International Obligation Bill now before Parliament aimed at placement of PNG soldiers in United Nations Peace Keeping duties in trouble spots around the world.

Brig. Gen. Agwi is dead set to ensure the country's Constitutional and premier security detail is given pride of place in the statecraft of the independent state as it seeks out its constitutional roles and responsibilities in the face of changes within the region and sub-regional security environments, including realignment with the PNG vision 2050 through the Forces own 2030 vision.

The challenge is enormous, the task mammoth, Agwi says. 'I believe I have the will to do it, the stamina to pursue strategic objectives and the support of the government who appointed me to bring the house to order'.

He reminices the good military administration system established by the Australians and one that PNG inherited at Independence. 'It was a system based on the strategic warfare concepts of 'command', 'leadership', and 'control' - CLM. These are the basic tenet of military administration or any administration that are structured for war. "It seems that in PNGDF, we have over the years far deviated from strictly adhering to these basic concepts of soldier administration within the officer corp. As a result we have lost or lacked CLM of the rank and file.