jolanda70, 12 Nov 2009 12:54 hours
Madang, Papua New Guinea Two years in Papua New Guinea, a reflection. Last weekend after having a few beers and my brain is at his best, I realized I’ve been in PNG for two years. Time for a reflection and time to look ahead.
I’ve had a wonderful time in PNG, but I really do have a love – hate relationship with this country.
It’s love, because I really enjoyed my work, working with the students. See them develop as individuals, students and Physiotherapists. The gratitude they show in saying a 100 times thank you for teaching us over the last two years. The appreciation they show by coming to the office early morning with a self-made bilum as a present to thank me.
It’s love, because I’ve had the change to work with colleagues, who supported me and taught me a lot.
It’s love, because people in this country are very friendly. The invitations we got to join them for lunch during the Community Based Rehabilitation visits to the villages. The children waving and yelling when we pass them in our good old Nissan. Although sometimes overwhelming, people are willing to help you with whole their heart. They would even brush your teeth if you asked for it.
It’s love, because this country is culture wise one of the most diverse countries. There are about 800 different cultures and languages in PNG. These cultures are displayed during cultural festivals, where the different groups sing and dance (‘singsing’), and show how proud they are of their culture.
It’s love, because this country is nature wise one of the most diverse and most beautiful countries I’ve ever seen so far. The coastal area’s with the palm trees, the ocean views, the sunny days and the hot nights. The Highlands, with the mountains, the cool weather and the amazing scenery. The little villages, with the typical houses of the different regions, the little gardens neatly arranged by the owners.
It’s love, because I’ve met a lot of wonderful people from all over the world. People I could rely on in the periods that I needed some support or just someone who would listen when I wanted to get rid off some frustrations after a long day.
It’s hate, because of the violence. You can’t go out after dark (if you don’t have a car) or travel on your own because it’s too dangerous, you could get robbed or even worse raped. Two out of three women in PNG experience domestic violence, the sexual abuse of children is high. And the rates are even higher for People with Disabilities. Tribal fighting is still going on, a way of ‘pay back’ or compensation for perceived wrongs.
It’s hate, because not all the children have the opportunities to go to school. A reason why there is still a high percentage of illiterate people. The rights for children or adults with disabilities to have education are not acknowledged. People with Disabilities are often still seen as a burden.
It’s hate, because the health care system is poor and not accessible for everyone. People die from preventable causes because they lack medical care.
It’s hate, because of the corrupt political system that stands in the way of the development of this country. The corrupt police system that often can’t get involved in crime or violence because there can be a ‘pay back’.
Maybe it’s just hate because I know what we have in ‘our’ Western world, we are taken care off by a well developed school system, health care system, political and law system. Things that are not in place here and might be part of the problems people face here every day. Maybe I would get violent as well, without a job, without money to send my children to school, without money to pay for a sick family member. But if attitudes would change, if people would take more ownership in living their lives the way they wanted to, could this make a difference?
Before I came here I knew I can’t change the world, I can’t change PNG in the way I want with a better life for all the people. But I hope that my energy changed the lives of individuals a bit in a positive way. I know for sure my friends, my colleagues and the wonderful people of PNG changed me as an individual (hopefully in a positive way)! PNG thank you for that! I feel sad to leave you, I feel happy to leave you.
Looking ahead. Just a few more weeks to go and then I will finish my placement with VSO. I have plans to travel to Indonesia, South East Asia or where ever my legs, boats, trains, busses, bicycles, airplanes or space shuttles will take me. In the meantime I’m also applying for jobs. What the nearby future will bring me I don’t know; it’s a great feeling of freedom and maybe some fear. If you are interested in what will happen next, keep reading my blog. As I will no longer be a VSO volunteer I’ve changed to another blog. This is the last story on my VSO blog (www.jolanda70.vso-stories.net) and the first story on my new blog (www.jolanda70.blogspot.com). From now on I will tell you everything you want to know and also everything you don’t want to know about me and my travel experiences.
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Misschien lekkerder om te wachten tot het voorjaar... Tot mails. Groetjes Biet