After spending December travelling New Zealand, which I really enjoyed, I came to the UK in January for Furlough.
Furlough was spent first doing a 4 week intensive course to qualify to teach English as a second language (CELTA). Then went round the uk speaking in churches about my mission experiences. Think I did about 9 presentations in total. From Witney, Oxford to Northern Ireland to Cornwall and Machester…..There were positive feedbacks.
Did manage to put in rest period in Dunnington , York. I would like to take this time to thank my host in York. This amazing lady saw me through the CELTA course by supplying me with advice, food, beverages and support in the middle of the nights when working on assignments. She did the same course some years past and was able to empathise with me. She allowed me to housesit when she travelled on holiday which allowed me to have a good rest.
The last 2 weeks of furlough was spent at my sister's preparing and packing to start my next assignment.
Arrived in Niu Ailan (New Ireland) PNG 2 days ago .
I have created a new blog site for this new assignment. It will be at https://pngtips2.wordpress.com for those who wish to follow my escapades.
AM now in a plane ready to fly to Brisbane in a moment. This really marks the end of my First Mission Term.
In the last week I attended the Rarongo Graduation ceremony where I met the PNG Deputy Prime Minister who was the guest of honour. The ceremony went well.
Rarongo Graduation entranceProcessionWith the PNG Deputy PM (left)and officialGraduation entertainment
Last Thursday the teaching staff of GBHS took me out for a farewell dinner. This was organised and insisted upon by the teacher who wrote me a racist note at the beginning of my mission term. How the tide turns. I thank God for favour. I was really touched by the gesture. Felt emotional when the teachers thanked me for my service.
Farewell Dinner with teachers of GBHS
Was able to pack all my things.
We’ll have to post now before the plane takes off.
This will probably be the last posting for the blog. Will open another when I start my next mission term.
Mumu is a traditional way of cooking, practised in the New Guinea Islands (NGI -which includes New Britain, Niu Ailan, Bougainville) and Highlands region (Including Sepik, Madang) of PNG.
The process involves cooking whole pigs/ chicken with vegetables in the ground using hot stones. Mumu is usually done for big feasts. All the while I have been here, I have eaten mumu food without seeing how it is done until recently.
There are some variations in the cooking depending on the area. Didn’t witness the recent killing of the pig which was done the Niu Ailan way. The pig snout was tied up with a tyre tube, head held up between the legs and held till the pig suffocates. This take 5 minutes am told. The Highland way, a trained/skilled person hits the pig on the forehead at a point where it collapses without making a sound.
The following pictures show the rest of the process:
The hair on the pig is burnt using fireSimultaneously , the ground is dug up to burn the stonesHole filled with coconut husks to aid burningThe pig taken into the sea to be washed.Logs arranged on top of the coconut husks.Stones place on top of wood. Heated until white hotEntrails of the pig taken out and the rest cut into large chunks (highlands method)
with the NGI method, the entrails are taken out and the pig cooked whole with the stones placed inside.
The chunks of meat pieces placed near the hole. Covered to keep away flies.Partly burnt wood taken out. Coconut husks burnt out.Half of the heated stones, mostly the big ones are taken out and placed on the still burning wood to keep the heat – using a long stick split at one end to hold the stones.Half the heated stones spread at the bottom of the holeHeated stones covered with banana leavesPig chunks placed the leaves with vegetablesMeat covered with more banana leaves with the rest of the stones placed on top.Leaves tucked around the meatThe whole thing is covered with rece bags and plastic .Earth is shovelled on top to keep the heat in.After an hour of cooking, everything is peeled back……..……AND VOILA,!!!…….Succulent meat revealed.
i was given some of the meat and it tasted ….AMAZING….
Now you’ve seen the steps in pictures………GO DO LIKEWISE!!! :-))
BY THE WAY……
WIth Rarongo preparing for its Graduation event, all the vehicles except mine were tied up. So when a pregnant woman at the college was experiencing labour pains, my car was used in transporting her to the nearest health centre 20 minutes away. About 5 minuteS after arriving at the centre, she gave birth to a baby girl. PHEW!!!….. 5 minutes late and the baby would have arrived in the car…..
ALSO…….
The mango season is still on due to the dry season. People are eating so many mangoes it is coming out of their ears. Children who would hardly wait for the mangoes on the trees to ripe before picking are now letting the mangoes fall to the ground to rot. Am still enjoying eating them because I will miss them when I go on leave soon.
All last week was spent sorting out things, a room at a time. It is true you don’t realise how much has been accumulated until it is time to move.
Friday morning, friends in Rarongo community helped in packing and wrapping for storage.
Friends helping with packingSome of the helpers’ children went into the sea. Gave this cute little girl one of my tops to prevent her walking around in wet clothes. :-))
Later in the afternoon, Â I drove to Kokopo to meet up with volunteers and expat friends for a farewell dinner at Gazelle International Hotel. Afterwards, moved to Ralum Club where there was a fundraising event for babies’ mosquito nets. Was asked to select a card for the raffle ticket winner which earned him 200 kina. The winner then gave me half of his winnings. A good end to the day.
With some of my volunteers and expat friends who came for the farewell dinner at GI hotel
Rarongo is preparing for its graduation taking place this coming Sunday. There are all kind of board meetings taking place since last week. One of the board members is staying with me at the moment. Another will be joining on Thursday. These are the same women who stayed with me last year.
Will borrow GBHS truck tomorrow to get some of my things in storage. It is all Go Go Go !!! – with less than two weeks left till I leave finally ……:-(
The past two weeks seem to have flown by with lots of events to attend….
Two Tuesdays ago I was invited to speak to the graduating mothers of Rarongo. They had a 3-day retreat at SSL Malmalwan, a UC institution, about an hour’s drive from Rarongo. I drove down with the other lady volunteer on site. We had a blast ministering to the women which included the principal’s wife, the coordinator. I taught the women a dance. The coordinator mentioned afterwards, it was the best retreat she’d attended this being her third. At the end, my fellow volunteer and I were presented with gifts.
Rarongo Graduating Mother (including the cute baby) at the retreat.The view the chapel at the retreat.Speakers with their gifts
The following Friday, there was the Rarongo Community Feast for students and staff. Lots of eating went on with speeches from representatives. I was informed that morning (on the way to kokopo for ASSP closing feast shopping) to give a speech on behalf of the International Partners. Had to think of what to say before the feast. It went well.
Rarongo Comunity Feast
Saturday evening, the pastoral group I belong to had its own feast, also with speeches. I was rotated to preach to the Rarongo community on Sunday the next day and was hyped up and did not sleep well putting together in my head what to talk about. The theme for the week was ‘Edification of the Church’ based on 1 Cor 10:23-24. I got the graduating mothers to do the dance I taught them and also the rest of the congregation. It was fun. Got lots of feedback regarding the sermon as I dealt with both the theoretical and practicality of building up the church.
The Graduating mothers and coordinator came to rehearse the dance at my place.
After the service, ASSP had its own closing feast at my place. We had BBQ meat and fish plus lots of food which included rice bowls. Showed a couple of movies for the kids and adults under the house.
ASSP tutors and families closing feast .Watching movies under the house.
On Monday, I packed and went to kokopo to see a volunteer friend who will be leaving finally. Flew to Niu Ailan the next day to finalise arrangements regarding my next assignment. Met with the Bishop and the Regional Education Secretary. I stayed at the lovely guest house run by the Health Secretary who is a lovely nurse. Noticed some improvement from the last visit. A house is being completed next to the guest house and the fuel station has been expanded. There are more houses planned to be built to include mine. This is in preparation for the next UC Assembly taking place next year in Niu Ailan. I did not visit the Secondary schools as informed the management will be changing next year.
Cloud formation from the planeSeeing the sunset before landingPart of Kevieng, Niu Ailan, just before landing.Just before getting on the plane back to kokopo.The lovely cheeky child who sat beside me on the plane.Seeing the volcanoes from the plane. The one I climbed is the biggest on the right.
Got back to Kokopo early Friday morning. My volunteer friend was getting on the plane I got off. Did my grocery shopping (hopefully my last) and drove back. Watched a mumu-ing process (will be my next post – so watch this space). Was so tired that I was in bed by 7pm.
Missed the Rarongo Staff farewell feast last Tuesday as I was in Niu Ailan but I was given a gift when I came back. As you can see from my wall, am running out of hanging places for my gifts.
Wall of Gifts
……….so it’s been feast, feasts and Gifts.
With just 3 weeks to go, I will be spending the time, sorting out things and packing……..the joy!!!
…….. Lots of mangoes. To those who love the fruit, this is as close as I can get to sending some to you. :-))
Yum Yum! Sweet Mangoes.
Rarongo had second semester exams last week, marking the end of the academic year. AND……….AT LAST, AT LAST…..after being without a vehicle for a really long time, the college now is in procession of a minivan. Yay!!. Last Friday, during devotion, one of the other volunteers prayed for the bus and I was asked to open it. The funny thing was I did as instructed (open the door) nor knowing I was expected to say something. Ha…..anyway I did make a quite prayer when I opened it.
New Rarongo Minivan..hereby declare the Bus open….
Last week was also meant for the GBHS grade 9 prefects retreat. However due to the grade 10 graduation coming up and overlap of responsibilities, the teacher in charge had to defer the event. I ran around to inform the people and host of the change. It is said that when given lemons make lemonade. So spent the ‘free time’ in marking Rarongo exam papers and assignments. After devotion on Friday, I went on a road trip with another volunteer to visit places around Rabaul . Went to the hot springs at the base of the volcano which was really really HOT. Also went into Japanese bunkers near the Rabaul club established in 1919 but destroyed by the 1994 eruption. Saw the ANZAC memorial built to remember the Australian and New Zealanders solders who fought and died in PNG during WW2. On Saturday went for a swim and lunch at a resort nearby. Met other expats who are here for a short while for work including an Australian based Iranian lady who is a PhD holder. Had a good chat with her regarding getting a PhD.
But the HOT HOT SpringA map inside a Japanese bunker‘Bird of Paradise’ sculpture inside the Rabaul Club – now a sort of Museum‘Lest we Forget’ ANZAC Memorial
Yesterday, Sunday was a big event – the GBHS grade 10 Graduation ceremony. I was informed a couple of day earlier that the grade 10 had requested for me to lead them into the hall. Felt quite honoured. Led the procession and sat with the invited guests. At some point, was asked to give out certificates of attainment. At the end of the ceremony, spent time saying goodbye to my “children”. It was tears galore.
Leading the Graduands into the ChapelWith my Maths Class -10FOne of the top Maths Student with his MumDance Troop performing a after the ceremony featuring the former school HeadBoy
The joy of being a Teacher
After enquiring from friends in the Bahamas affected by hurricane JoaquÃn, the Principal I worked with, whose daughter I taught mentioned the child is about to qualify as a Maths teacher and still talks about me (after 5 years). At yesterday’s event one of my top maths students whose Mum lives in Ports Moresby came and gave me a huge hug saying she’d heard a lot about me from her son. I wondered what I did. A GBHS ex-student who I got through the Austalian Maths last year sent me a Bilum, made out of bush materials, when she learnt I was leaving. This bag is a signature of the Highlands of PNG. O Wow!
Highlands Bilum made with Bush Materials. Bigger ones are used to carry babies and food produce – very strong.
This to encourage Teachers/Educators out there. Keep impacting lives!!
B-))
Picture taken a while ago showing the Volcanoes from Malmalwan – Amazing View.
………A-MA-ZING start to the day. Decided to take a walk by the sea around 5.40am. After walking a short distance I saw what I initially thought was a floating log only to look again and realised it was a DOLPHIN ….. Yay!!! I watched it swin from quite close to the shore onto the open sea. It was Incredible.
This is my first time of seeing one since being here although some people had mentioned sighting dolphins in the Bay where we live.
Last week flew by having to invigilate GBHS grade 10 exams and prepare for the ASSP closing. Thursday was the last day I had with the grade 10 students. I helped assisted the head boy and headgirl in setting up email addresses so they could keep in touch (grade 10s here are 17 and over). The next time I see them will be on their graduation (November 1). This group of students are special to me as I saw them enter and leave GBHS.
GBHS Grade 10s taking exams
Had to change the dates slightly for the SRC retreat as it clashes with the graduation day. So instead of from fri- Sun, it is now Thurs – Sat. Went to confirm changes with the venue.
ASSP closing ceremony was last Friday. Children and parents turned up. Children’s work was displayed for the parents to see. There were entertainments from children and one of the lecturers gave a speech. Certificate of Participations and gifts were awarded to the children. The event went well. Earlier in the week I made available some funds for the continuation of the program next year. Rarongo Principal mentioned during the ceremony of committing some extra funds towards the program as well. A couple of students did mention how the program had helped them academically. Parents would like to see it continue. I thanks God for Community Support. I was presented with gifts as well.
Preparing for the ASSP closing ceremony.Children and parents at the ASSP ceremony.ASSP logo on a laplap – to be completed laterDisplay of children’s workEntertainment from children and their tutor.Awarding Certificates of Participation.At the end of the ceremony – the TutorsSome of the gifts presented to the Coordinator – including ‘Thank You’ cards
Recently learnt about Hurricane Joaquin devastating the Bahamas especially Long Island where I worked from 2005 to 2010. The pastor of the church I attended sent an email to say they are okay. I emailed some friends there and so far the news is good. Please pray for those affected.
On a lighter note, I have been informed I’ll turn orange not yellow if I eat too many mangoes. Am still eating them although my skin colour is yet to change :-)) . Yesterday the Rarongo Deputy Principal distributed mangoes to staff that fell from his tree. They are of the smelly type. Although the skin stinks out the place, it is nice and juicy on the inside. Will let you know if my skin starts changing colour……So watch this space….
………. Finding time to write and post this blog because every second counts.
It’s been a very busy week from last Monday till now.
Last Monday from GBHS, went with Teacher In Charge (TIC) of SRC to identify and confirm the venue for the SRC retreat taking place at the end of this month.
Tuesday – taught all day at Rarongo.
Come Wednesday, after GBHS, spent 8 hours having my hair done.
Thursday was when the GBHS Grade10s had their formal dinner to mark the end of their time at school. It was scheduled to start at 5pm but did not commence till 8pm. This is the only dinner I’ve attended since serving at the school. I was new to the school when the 2013 dinner took place. For whatever reasons, 2014 dinner did not take place. Moreover, the 2015 students are those I saw start first year at GBHS and see finish this year. It was a privilege to attend their dinner. Four grade 10 girls living at Rarongo, changed at my place and I drove them to school. It was nice seeing the students in formal wear. The event was entertaining which finished at about 1am. Teachers were also awarded certificates.
Rarongo Grade 10 girls one of whom won the best dressed female.GBHS Grade 10 dinner. Looking lovely in their formal wear.
Had to wake up at about 5am to take a family to the airport for one of them to catch an early flight. Spent the rest of the day shopping for the ASSP closing ceremony taking place this Friday. Also looked to getting parts for my car, did the safety check and paid for the insurance. A Christian bookshop blessed us with bookmarks to be given to the ASSP children.
Although I stayed in on Saturday, spent the day designing and printing certificates for the children who attended ASSP. Had to print about 70 certificates compared to under 50 last year. God is good.
Attended 2 services on Sunday. The first one was a dedication service for the grade 10s at GBHS. The TIC of SRC had asked me to give a speech to the prefects leaving. This was dropped on my lap on Monday. I got to speak to the leaving students at the school chapel – first time to speak there. Service started at 9am finished at noon. This included the presentation of awards to the SRC members. Went home after service , had lunch and rested a bit then off to the service at Rarongo for 2pm.
Grade 10s SRC passing the ‘baton’ to the nominated Grade 9sAwarding Certicates of Apreciation to Grade 10 SRC members
Grade 10s started their national examinations today. Inasmuch as I was not scheduled to invigilate, I helped in providing refreshments for The External Examiners, staff and over 400 students. Discovered the grade 9s were sent home with work for the week. I also assisted in writing up the program and budget for the SRC retreat. Got home after 4pm – tired.
I thank God am still ‘standing’……. B-)
By the way, it is mango season here. The market is full of different kinds of mangoes with names such as Apple mango(crunchy), pawpaw mango (long and sweet), smelly mango (stinks out the fridge if you put one in) and others. My hairdresser brought some mangoes from his tree. The minister’s wife at the church we booked for SRC retreat gave me half a bag full plus a big pawpaw. As I walked to school this morning, one of the primary school teachers gave me a pawpaw mango which is one of the expensive ones.
So…. If you see me turning yellow, it’s because I have been eating too many Mangoes ……Ha…….AS IF…..
………..last Saturday was Thanksgiving Service Day at Rarongo.
Starting at 9am, the community gather in the chapel and seated in their Pastoral groups. Each groups entertained and presented their gifts. After the Pastoral groups came the Commitee groups and then the Regional groups. It was good to see everyone dancing and having fun. Afterwards each Pastoral group had light refreshments at their Patron’s place.
Rarongo is a ‘Melting Pot’ with groups from around PNG being represented within the community. It made me appreciate the opportunity given to experience such diversity.
Pastoral Group going into the chapel to present their giftChildren performing.One of the lecturers having fun.
I mentioned in my earlier posts about a teacher from GBHS who was awarded a scholarship to study in Australia. On my way back from the UC Education Conference, I saw her on the plane and was informed the Dad passed away. So last Friday, together with 2 teachers and 2 students we attended the funeral Service and burial. This is my first time to attend a local funeral. This is similar to what happens anywhere else with the church service first and the burial later. However I guess what happened before the day might be unique to the culture. This I was not privy to. It was good to see my friend again after leaving GBHS.
Family of the Deceased.Burial siteFriend with those of us who supported from GBHS
It is now countdown to the end of the first mission term with just about 2 months to go. Next week will be the end of teacher year at Rarongo. Which means setting papers and collating assessments. We hope to have the closing ceremony for the ASSP ON THE16 th of October. Grade 10s will be taking their National exams next week followed by Grade 12s the the Grade 8s. There is the retreat hopefully planned for end of October. In between all these I have to consolidate, hand over and pack my things.
Apparently, am informed when you are about to leave you will be requested to speak to all sorts of groups. So I have been scheduled to speak at the STM Women’s Retreat at the begining of November. This will followed by saying my last words to the Raongo Community. Not to talk of all the different Feasts that will be taking place. Please pray for strength and wisdom.
………..last week Monday, I was on my way to Saroa (an hour drive East of Ports Moresby) for the United Church Education Conference with about 50 delegates. The delegates comprised of Regional Education Secretaries from the 12 UC regions, Heads of High/Secondary/Vocational schools and representatives of Primary schools. The institutions are all UC agency schools.
Saroa is a village along the highway about 10 minutes from Kwikila (where the UC Assebly Conference was held last October). We were welcomed and distributed amongst families within the area.
The UC AssemblyEducation Secretary, (AES who organised the conference) the principal of GBHS, principal of Gaulim Teachers College, 2 people from the UC Development Unit and myself were hosted by the ‘Head’ of the village. The host served as the UC Education/Health Secretary at the Assembly level over 20 years ago.
The last Education Conference was held in 2011 at the same venue. So delegates were new to each other although for a few this was their second visit. The aim of the conference was for networking purposes, improve communication , identify issues and and recommend solutions.
At the start of the Conference
Due to the AES having to pick and drop people off at Ports Moresby, I facilitated most of the sessions. This is a first for me especially on a national level. By the end of each day, I was really tired. Anyway I was able to get most of the delegates to set up email accounts to enable effective communication. Placed them in groups to identify issues one day and recommend solutions on another. The Develpment officers talked to the group about writing proposals and applying for fundings.
Delegates in groups, identifying issues…facilitating by explainingThe Delegates
During lunchtimes, different groups from the village provided food and entertained us with singing and dancing. They were impressed with my peroveta dance which I learnt last year at the assembly conference 🙂 . I managed to show a film one night to villagers and delegates – Coach Carter – true story about how a basketball coach was able to inspire his students.
What I am really happy about was each region able to go away with a list of delegates’ contact details, identified issues and draft corresponding action plans at all levels (institutional, regional and assembly). Producing these documents sometimes involved working till late. Fortunately, a couple of men from the village who were around in the last conference assisted with the admin work.
Children entertains delegates at the Farewell BanquetDelegates leaving …
All in all it was a successful and productive conference. The delegates went home happy. I Thank God.
The conference ran from Monday to Friday. It ended a day early. We all went back to POM on Friday and stayed the night at Mapang Missionary Home before flying back to ENB the next day.
Having breakfast with the host .With the AES, UC Devmt Officer and the Principal of GBHS – all wearing the uniform given by the host.
CULTURE
I witnessed effective leadership at Saroa. It was so subtle that I did not notice it was happening until Thursday night when the villagers had a farewell event for us. It occurred to me the villagers were well behaved all through the week due to the effective leadership. Everyone knew their place, not out of fear but out of respect.
The village consist of 9 clans. Each clan has a head. My host is the head of his clan and his clan is the head clan in the village. Therefore, my host is the head of the village. At the farewell banquet, I noticed no villager moved until they are summoned by the Head. He does this by getting close to them or call from the front. The order of the meals was, guests first followed by the men, then women and later the children. The children did not mess around. All the while, the Head has a smile on his face. When I spoke to his wife, who used to be a teacher, she confirmed the man does not ‘suffer fools’ and he is highly respected. Amazing to watch…..
PNG schools are resuming today for the start of the 4th and last term of the year. This term will be full of taking national exams. It also means my first mission term is drawing to a close.
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