The arrival of Australians trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea has led to greater awareness of the plight of our nearest neighbor. Hikers arriving in Port Moresby, for the first time are struck by the misery of the shantytowns that surround the city, thousands of unemployed people, and barbed wire prohibited wrapped around each household in the city.
After spending his first night in a heavily guarded 4-star hotel to catch a charter flight in the Owen Stanley Ranges to Kokoda village.
As they move from the airfield, which was a key factor in the decision to send troops to Kokoda in July 1942 are greeted with cries of 'Gold! Gold! Gold! "(Welcome Welcome Welcome!) While climbing to the plateau in the village. 'Kokoda' is a word Orok place meaning "of the skulls. Australia's first Victoria Cross winner, Private Bruce Kingsbury was buried here. His body was taken to Boman Cemetery of war after the war.
In the northwestern corner of the plateau is a large generator installed when PNG was ruled as a mandated territory of Australia. It has been inactive for over 20 years and the network of hubs to connect the houses and administration buildings are abandoned and rotting. A large concrete tank into disuse is a disturbing reminder that people once had a water and sewer system.
As hikers follow the steps in the back brave along the track to come into direct contact with remote rural communities. Day 3 arrive at Templeton Crossing which is the boundary between Oro and Central Province. The Orok and Mountain Koiari clans in this area have been converted to the Church Seventh Day Adventist are converted into the watchful eye of local pastors who carry out church services twice daily at 6.00 am and 6.00 pm. Children with swollen bellies and angelic voices singing hymns in perfect harmony.
A notable aspect of people's lives is the absence of young men who are working in the gardens at a distance or going down the road in search of better opportunities for bright Moresby lights. Older men sit around their huts and women caring for the village, feeding the young and preparing meals.
Those who venture Moresby down to find there are few jobs available and are highly dependent on the system of "tok wan 'for their livelihood. Some turn to crime to satisfy basic needs, while others join the fast growing industry in the country – security! Thousands of uniformed guards with fierce dogs are taken to the city before dusk each day to stop their own people trying to rape the barbed wire around strengths Moresby.
Back to notice people walking basic aid projects designed to support a subsistence living in remote areas. Water systems, classrooms and medical facilities in various states of repair due to the lack of recurrent funds for maintenance, school / medical supplies and salaries.
Despite these challenges every day people are warm, friendly and generous with their offerings of food and assistance to hikers. The legacy of his "fuzzy wuzzy angel ancestors is obvious to all that walking Kokoda. During his ordeal to establish links with local guides who tell of their daily struggle for survival and their future plans.
Turning back to our affluent society hikers many want to help, but they soon find it is easier said than done. There is no guarantee that the packages of clothing, medical supplies, electronics, or even letters reach their destination due to the lack of a reliable delivery service to remote villages. Telephone, fax and email communications are out of the question. Education assistance programs are almost impossible to control, as fees are easily misappropriated and students often substituted.
This may well be the reason why World Vision PNG does not have a sponsorship program for students!
Promoting "cooperatives village" should be considered as a means of ensuring the benefits of the emerging eco tourism industry for the benefit sharing of all. A "Council of the clan leaders" of each village can be established for the management of the cooperative. Such a system would place the responsibility for village development and care of its inhabitants in the hands of local leaders
Questions that are part of the Charter of the village cooperative would be establishment and operation of community schools and health centers, support for students identified as suitable for higher education in provincial schools, training doctors and nurses and the maintenance and development of basic village infrastructure.
There is no shortage of eco-hikers who will support programs education and health if we can be sure that your contribution will not be diverted by the person with the key in the mailbox of celebrations in Port Moresby or mistreated by influential toks 'wan' local, provincial or national government departments.
The establishment of "village cooperatives also remove much of the frustration of local landowners who are wary of not receiving a fair share of the profits generated by the tourism industry emerging ecosystem.
All economic and social indicators say that the colonial system of government inherited by PNG's independence has clearly not worked in the land of a thousand cultures. An investment system whereby the local village / tribal communities are empowered through the creation of village councils can only be the panacea that the country needs to attract the support of eco-tourists and philanthropists and good intentions.
About the Author:
Charlie Lynn has been leading treks across the Kokoda Trail for the past 15 years and has recently completed his 45th expedition. His website is <a href=”
http://www.kokodatreks.com”>Kokoda
Treks</a>
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Png – A Difficult Place To Help
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