Tag Archives: Anglicare

Thursday 3rd September:
Taking leave of friends…

Farewell party at Butterfly Lodge...
Farewell party at Butterfly Lodge…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning in PNG time meant that this morning we had plenty of time to sit and wait and talk. At 10.00am Bishop Lynsley arrived to take us into the town.

Lots of people around sitting and waiting in the streets. Some had walked since 1.00 am to get there and would be walking home in the evening. The supermarket was full of goods, many from China.

We went on to the Diocesan offices and Anglicare, a centre for HIV and AIDS, which is a big problem.

Some of us also visited The Girls Friendly Society, and met with Val and her team.

airportfarewellImageAfter lunch at Birdwing Butterfly Lodge we said farewells and went to the airport. It was a two hour check in and so in the one shed we had plenty of time! With Sister Anne, Polycarp, and other friends.

The young boys spotted the plane for the day and we set off for the 30 minute journey.
Arrived back at Lutheran Guest House for supper.

 

Image: Popondetta airport – Bishop Andrew and Father Benstead, Bibira and the boys…

Reverend Sue Martin

Papua New Guinea 2015
Papua New Guinea 2015 – beginning the return…

Friday September 4th:
A day of visits!

5q. Christ the King School, governor & HeadteacherFirst visit of the day was to Anglicare offices at the diocese in Waigani and the Chapel of the Good Shepherd. As well as the HIV work there are training and literacy programmes for young and older people.

Next visit was to a settlement, on the perimeter of the airport. There was a striking difference between the two. The area was incredibly dry and dusty but the houses had space and there was a good community feel. If you ignore the broken, rusty cars and see the people with their smiling faces you can see some happiness in severe poverty.

Christ the King School was a wonderful place. Set at the top of a hill we met the school children, standing waiting for us in 38C sunshine! We had gifts to give and children sang their songs, Paul played Happy Birthday to them all on the trumpet.

Trumpet Image
Trumpeter and audience!

A tour of the classrooms and the large and cool chapel were brilliant. The teachers are largely voluntary, the classrooms varied from sheds to a container with windows, provided by Sue Ramsden. It was surprisingly cool.

 

We met some of the Melanesian Brothers and talked with the Chair of the Governors.

Outside Parliament House image
Outside Parliament House

Next visit was to the War Memorial Graves kept by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in beautiful grounds and incredible to see the headstones for nearly 4000 Australians, some Papuan’s and some British soldiers, airforce personnel and sailors. They fought to save Papua New Guinea from the Japanese army and to prevent the creation of a ‘launch pad’ for an attack on Australia.

Our last visit of the day was to the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea and to  Parliament House.

Papua New Guinea 2015
Papua New Guinea 2015