It’s The Small Things That Count

By: Alythea SIRABA

On 18^th of January, 2018, I arrived back in Port Moresby from one of the most memorable trips of my life. I had the opportunity to visit Japan; one of the worlds’ leading nation in technology and the use of sustainable and renewable energy. I had attended an eight (8) day, cultural exchange program “JENESYS” (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange Students and Youths) which began on 10^th of January and concluded on January 17^th. This program is sponsored by the Japan Overseas Cooperative Association (JOCA); is supported dearly by the Japanese Government and facilitated in the Pacific by a coordinating team based at the University of South Pacific, Fiji. This study tour comprised of two groups: Group A – Disaster Prevention and Group 3B – Environment and Energy, and I was a member of the latter.

Over twenty (20) of us that participated in both Group A and B were Papua New Guinean students. During my brief stay in Japan I learnt so many new things and now have a much broader perspective of how I view a lot of things; in terms of the importance of having an inclusive society as well as, the use of renewable energy and developing in a sustainable manner. The main places we visited were Tokyo, The City of Kitakyushu and Ajimu which are both located in Fukuoka.

The Japanese people are well-known for how they reverence others, but actually being there and experiencing it was truly a humbling experience. For example, one of our first visits was to the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change Policy Division in Tokyo, where we received a lecture on measures undertaken by the Japanese Government in relation to the Paris Agreement; this was facilitated by the Deputy Director of the Division. Whilst in the middle of his session, the Director of the Climate Change Policy Division walked in and immediately the Deputy Director stopped his presentation, faced the Director and greeted him saying “Sensei”, he then bowed; waited for the Director to fully enter the room, introduced him and after the Director had taken his seat, he continued his presentation. During that brief moment, the extent of respect the Deputy Director had bestowed upon the Director could be felt all throughout the room.

Respect seems to be a term overused in Papua New Guinea to the point where it literally has no meaning or importance anymore. However, genuine respect by individuals toward others and their property can contribute to order within a society and resulting in some form of transparency and accountability; I witnessed that the chain of command was followed rigorously and people dwelt peacefully together. Respect is an attribute that can enhance the balance in society whether we realize it or not; if absent in it can result in lawlessness and disharmony within the society and family.

It was a humbling experience for me, although it may have been a small gesture, it was one of life’s most valuable lessons learnt. It does not matter how high you climb up the ranks or how well educated you may be, respect must be given where it is due and that the respect you give to another person, speaks volumes about you as an individual.

Picture above: An essential part of the JENESYS Program is the home-stay experience where students from abroad spend a night or two with a Japanese family to experience the traditional Japanese culture.

This was written in loving memory of the late Mrs. Garua Peni; Mother and Mentor to all who had the honour of crossing paths with her as I did. If not for her warm, kind, caring heart and cheerful spirit, I would not have enjoyed the trip as much as I did, nor been well oriented with regards to what to expect throughout this program.

Photos by: Group 3B Members

Patriotic Vibes #001

I come from the “Papua” part of “Papua New Guinea”

But people don’t know of the Papuan part or the New Guinea part

They only know Papua New Guinea

They don’t know that there are four regions

"So ask me where I'm from and I'll tell you I'm from PNG." ~Hally~

To which our looks and languages and customs differ

They only know we are uniquely diverse

They don’t know some of us have afro hair and while others have curly or straight hair

Or that our skin colours differ from black, white and brown

All they know is that we are Melanesian

That’s why I choose not to confine myself to particular provincial group

Because you then develop an ethnocentric mentality

So ask me where I’m from and I’ll tell you I’m from PNG

Because at the end of the day I write down my citizenship as being a Papua New Guinean 

NOT a Papuan

#PNGUP

September 14^th2016

Christian Life

Sometimes we need to evaluate our lives and identify; who we were and who we are

Being a Christian is not easy and I’m telling you this from experience. It’s because once you become a Christian, you are no longer of this world (John 17: 16 - "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."). Everyone believes they are Christian, even our own country chooses to be identified as a “Christian” country. So who is a Christian? How is a TRUE Christian identified?  Yes, a person can have the values of a Christian, but do values make one a Christian? No, even atheists have “Christian” values. Neither does what we wear on the outside, many people claim to be Christian’s based on their dressing, but deep down they do not know God. For me, I believe that a true Christian is that knows for certain they will spend eternity with Christ and who is one desires to serve the Lord and know more about God for the rest of their days here on earth. That is who a real Christian is. It doesn’t matter about how many times you fail or you go off track, we all do – but what really matters is that you come back to God and dwell in His presence.

Being a Christian would be similar like living in the era of racism – black people were denied basic human rights and were picked on, mistreated and even killed by the white people. That is basically the life of a Christian here on earth – we are no longer of the world anymore so we are unwelcome. The physical realm we live in and see are unaware of the personal decision we made to follow Christ, but that is not the same in the spiritual realm. On the day you accepted Christ and chose to follow Him, Heaven rejoiced (Luke 15: 10 – “Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”) and the enemy too was well aware of your choice to follow Christ, making you a target on their list. How? By increasing the temptations that surround you, and distracting you from following in the steps of Christ.

We need to evaluate our lives, who we were and who we are. Since the time you met Christ, has your life been getting better? If yes, what is contributing to it becoming better? If not, then where have I placed Christ in my life?

"God allows all situations into our lives"

This world is corrupt and its systems are manipulated, it blinds us from seeing how much we need to rely upon God, causing us to believe that if we want something done, we need to do it on our strength. It throws at us distractions such as; problems, worries, work load, idols (movies, daydreams, electronic games etc.) that clutter our minds and create an illusion that we “have too much” and that there is “no time” for God. But God is a God of order, you just need to commit your ways unto Him and TRUST Him. That is the only way we grow and our faith is extended. God allows all situations into our lives to mold and shape us, but it’s how we take it; you can take it as an obstacle, or you can take the Potter molding His clay.

May God Heal PNG

Corruption. Patriotism. Justice.  Freedom.

All present within any state, whether it be Democratic, Republican or Communist

There is no peace and no true justice. All systems are manipulated, and PNG isn’t excluded

The cries of many often fall on deaf ears; such as our sisters in the Middle East, crying out for peace for the past 5 years and our brothers across the border in West Papua fighting for freedom for over 50 years today.

Power blinds the heart of man and turns it cold as ice, they lose sight of their duties to ensure peace and prosperity throughout the nation and their souls are drowned in greed and self-righteousness.

Pray for our country. Pray for our leaders. May God heal PNG.

We live in the society of veto power and we can see that now. No matter what the majority says those in power still overrule. Maybe we need change, but what sort of change? Change in the mindsets of people? Change of leaders? Or change in the system?

Traditionally there are two forms of ruling systems here in PNG.

The Chieftain system and the Big Man system and forty years aren’t long enough to erase our traditional systems. So technically, PNG currently has three systems of ruling in place: The Chieftain system, the Big Man system and the Westminster system

See now where the problem is?

With majority of our people living in the rural areas, come elections they will vote based on the system that is practiced in their region. This is a fact, and because the Big Man system is practiced almost right across PNG obviously the wealthy and well educated candidates will be elected into Parliament. That is why we find some members in parliament to be patriotic and act in the best interest of their country well, while others do quite the opposite.

As citizens of Papua New Guinea, we need to properly evaluate where our country is heading. We can be the voice of the silent majority in the rural areas, but as the educated minority, will our fellow brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles and bubus forever remain the silent majority? When will there be a balance in the scale and how can I contribute towards achieving that balance? Is our political system really doing us justice? These are questions we need to ask ourselves before making our next move.

In 1971, in an ABC interview with Late Sir John Guise, he mentioned that the Westminster system was not going to work for PNG that it would bring problems and I think we can see that now. Maybe it’s time some of the great PNG minds get together (those who know about PNG Ways, customs and culture and those who know about the international system and its political systems) to develop an integrated political system that will be beneficial to the nation of PNG.

(Interview with Sir John Guise - http://aso.gov.au/titles/tv/monday-conference-png/clip2/?nojs )

#MayGODhealPNG