Last month (Sept 15-28, 2008), I went to Papua New Guinea to help the poor people that lived in Gerehu Stage 6, through the GK Youth Great Adventure Tour (GAT).
The day we arrived in PNG, we were welcomed by the local members of Couples for Christ (CFC) and the GK service team with a sumptuous dinner. We were taken to Port Moresby University, the very next day, for the PNG Independence Day Celebration, where we were mesmerised by many cultural presentations and dances.
On our third day, we went to Gerehu Stage 6, where the location of the GK site was. We were warmly welcomed with a traditional dance, food and drinks by the GK beneficiaries. As we talked with them it became clear that the locals avoided Gerehu Stage 6 because it was notorious for being a place where ‘rascals’ (criminals), of Port Moresby, would hide out. It was for this reason that it was chosen as the first GK site of PNG.
We started building the foundations for the medical centre on the following day, as there was much work to be done. There was tall grass that needed to be cut down first, after which we dug deep holes to put the posts and mixed cement in. We finished off by aligning and straightening to posts to achieve a stable platform. On the next day, some of the GATers took turns teaching songs to the village children, while the rest continued working on the platform.
We were also able to spend time with the kids, go into the bush for a camping experience (primitive style), and had our own version of the Amazing race. There were seven teams and we had 12 tasks to achieve, ranging from building our base camps, hunting, dinner preparation, to after dinner entertainment – song & dance.
We thought we were going to PNG to help the poorest of the poor build their lives....but this experience allowed us to connect with our own personal poverties....and it was they who were our heroes. For most, the wallaby dinner wasn’t so bad either.
On the seventh day, we went back to Port Moresby and enjoyed the luxury of private showers and toilets. As if biblically scheduled, it was our rest day.
The next few days were filled with many different activities, including visiting the Botanical gardens with the village children, visiting the Australian Embassy, and we even visited a high school, where we shared with the students how they could also help the poor in their community. We also attended the Singles for Christ (SFC) conference in Popondetta where we shared our experiences in PNG with the members, who also happened to host our R&R at a local resort.
On the last day of our two week adventure, we were farewelled by the beneficiaries of Gerehu Stage 6. They painted our faces and arms, in traditional colours, and gave us gifts to take back home. We were overwhelmed with emotion that day. We had made great new friends and our social barriers had all faded away. We felt we were parting with family - and we were not ready to leave.
The perils of Gerehu Stage 6 are real, surrounding the GK Village is rough country, but the local GK service team continue to persist, and their courage is contagious. Slowly, Gerehu Stage 6 is renewing itself.
As the neighbours of Gerehu Stage 6 build each others’ houses from materials donated through GK ANCOP Australia, they are also undergoing a values formation process where servant leadership, “bayanihan” (becoming a hero to each other), and patriotism are emphasised. The neighbouring communities start to recognise an alternate life for themselves and their children. There is power in this momentum. It is how GK differentiates itself from others which concentrate on disaster management. GK takes over, when others have left.
The people of Gerehu stage 6 are very thoughtful, kind and understanding. Their social hurts are in definite need of healing. In meeting them and living with them during my 2 weeks there, it’s very hard not feel attached. These people just needed our support, kindness and love so that they can have hope in life and in each other, this was what we knew coming in. That we need their support, kindness and love as equally – this is what we learned coming out.
