Loch Blatchford
With all the doom and gloom coming out of
PNG one should not lose sight of the fact that there are many people doing what
they can to improve the lot of Papua New Guineans. Sister Francois is one of
them.
Sr Francois has lived and worked in PNG
for 54 years in and around the township of Aitape. She has
dedicated her life to the health, education and spiritual needs of the local
community.
Sr Francois recently returned to Aitape
after a short stay in Australia for back surgery. During that time she was able to attend the inaugural Birds
of Paradise fundraising ball at Sorrento.
The event raised $20,000 for the Sister Francios Foundation.
Felix Aimingel was the first recipient of
foundation funds. Felix lost both of his arms in an accident several years ago.
Felix was brought to Melbourne in May to have a
prosthetic arm fitted by the Prosthetic Department at Caulfield Hospital.
Felix will shortly be returning to PNG with his new arm.
Mitshie is seven years old and has a
congenital heart abnormality known as Fallots teratology. The foundation provided
the funds to transport Mitshie and her family from Wewak to Port Moresby. She was recently operated on by
a visiting Australian medical team and is currently recovering in hospital. She
will require a number of trips to Moresby over the next few years which will be paid for
by the Foundation.
There are many people like Sr Francois.
Expatriates return to help rebuild schools and aid stations. Medical and
educational supplies are collected and sent to the country. Doctors and others
provide free services. Many of you may consider yourselves past the age of
contribution. This is not so. Each of us has specific interests and areas of
expertise that can be of mutual benefit.
Retired schoolie Bob Jenkins is returning
to PNG later this year to help rebuild his old school. Barbara Short has just
published Tuum Est, a history of Keravat National High School.
Eric Johns has written books for PNG schools on the history of PNG. Keith
Jackson has provided and maintains PNG Attitude.
Dave Keating is involved with PNG athletics. The PNGAA and its organising
committee undertake valuable work and lobbying to improve the lot of PNG. And
these are just a few contributions.
If you get the opportunity to contribute
in an area that interests you, why not say ‘Why not’. We might not be able to
change the world but we may be able to improve the bit around us.
If
you are interested in assisting the work of Sr Francois you can send a donation
to ‘Sister Francois Foundation, 505 Grasslands Road, Boneo Vic 3939’. Cheques
should be made payable to: The Franciscan Missionary Union – Aitape PNG Development Fund.
Photos: Sr Francois does the rounds. Felix Aimingel has his arm fitted by Dr David Wilson Brown
Some other good news to balance the usual 'gloom and doom' stories out of PNG.
As a long-time SWLer [short wave listener], I was running across the dials of my shortwave radio last night and decided to check out the PNG scene.
It was good to hear so many NBC shortwave stations still on the air! I thought most had closed down, for financial reasons.
Radio Madang was there (3260 kHz) with a good signal.
Radio Bougainville was powerful on 3325kHz with western rock music, followed by a talk program.
Through the crackles and pops, I heard Radio Northern (3345kHz) announcing itself as 'Maus blong Ples'.
Radio Milne Bay (3365 kHz) had string band music at a fairly strong signal level.
Radio East New Britain (3385kHz) was clear with local music in reggae style.
Radio West Sepik (3205kHz) also had reggae style local music.
Radio New Ireland (3905kHz) had PNG rap music!
Radio Morobe (3220 kHz) was on with a talk programme.
Radio Southern Highlands (3275kHz) had me fooled because they seemed to be presenting Latin American music!
I didn't make a point of chasing all the stations, but will go back and do a sequential check one of these days.
While a lot of the programming was indistinct (variable reception), a couple of things became apparent.
(1) PNG popular music has been hugely influenced by reggae and rap. The old string band guitar stuff seems to have had its day.
(2) I heard no traditional music
(3) The increased use of English within the Pidgin language was very evident
Some of the transmitters seemed to have been left running after close-down. I heard quite a few carriers still on after broadcast hours.
Some of the stations also dropped out suddenly on occasions. Maybe local electricity problems?
Posted by: Martin Hadlow | 02 August 2009 at 06:00 PM
Thanks guys for keeping your roots deep in PNG and try to help make a difference. You're 'heroes' among the many who spend their lives, resources, time, and expertise to help others enjoy life within our short stint here on earth.
I admire those who go their way to help others. The world would be a much better place if we help each other out on things that matter most to us.
Good efforts and God bless you all ><>
Posted by: David Ketepa | 01 August 2009 at 10:25 AM