Education
is a key to success in socio-economy scenario, family pride and brings brighter
future to individuals who pursue a career in science, art, engineering, etc. In
2003, looking for a brighter future, I was full of joy when my name was
mentioned amongst the names of grade nine students who were read out on the famous
‘Tok Save’ program of the local radio
station. It was a pride for oneself who attended the most disadvantage and
remotest primary schools (Gerup PS-Tewai Siassi district) in Morobe province to
be selected to pursue high school education at Salamua Provincial high school
near the heart of the provincial capital, Lae.
The school
is located on a hill about 100m above sea level. To my imagination, the school
site was on the famous and beautiful seaside of Salamua where the crystal waves
after crashing on the beach they smoothly pacified back to the seas. Whilst I
was fully overwhelmed with excitement in the last 3 weeks to the end of the
school vacation my parents gathered vital information from the new school administration
at the Morobe provincial education office. The parents were relayed the rules
and regulations of the school, items to be taken with, agriculture as well as
work parade tools and the receipt of school fees.
My
biological father (late Mr. Toksy) was deceased (refer timeline event) but I
regard my brother in-law who is happily married to my eldest sister, as my
father since he is also from Salamua specifically Kela village where the school
is located. He gladly took lead to kick start a farewell party in honor of my
continuation in academia. The relatives including cousins, biological brothers,
aunts, uncles, neighbors and even distant relatives were mobilized in the
prompt and efficient organization. Shopping and marketing were organized with
help from the relatives. Food preparation was done all throughout the Saturday
evening. Invitation went out to everyone including the above as well as church
pastor. The function was held on a beautiful and sunny afternoon from 1pm to
3pm. The prayer and sharing of the Word of God was done by the Christian
Pentecostal pastor named Pastor Yawari Bosokanu of JKM Ministry. He arrived 40
minutes before the starting time. At 1pm the program started. Devotion was held
with the Word of God, prayers and words of wisdom were shared. Prayers of
guidance and protection were offered for me. The old people from my tribe gave guidance
through words of encouragement and wisdom. Finally refreshment including
mumurized food, BBQ, non alcoholic beverages, creamed-basket rice, cookies, other
dishes as well as a beautifully decorated farewell cake were served to all the attendees.
A fat big pig was also slaughtered. The people and invited guests really
enjoyed the feast and socialized with relatives at the end of the party.
For the
last two weeks with my parents was the period of preparation and packing for my
new school, Salamua provincial high. Because it was quite far from home as well
as being new to the environment all necessities were to be packed and taken to
save cost, time and all the trouble coming back to the city. Very vital
personal school materials as well as stationeries were purchased and tucked
away in the bags. Handy utensils like plate, cup, spoon, fork, knife, tea
towel, etc were sourced and included in the baggage. Clothes, school uniform,
soap both laundry and bath; female chemistry, etc were added to the pack for
travel.
On the
Monday morning, of the day to start the academic year for 2003, I was escorted
to the Voco Point boat landing beachfront to catch the motorized dinghy for
travel to Salamua. The brother in-law and his son were going to escort me to
Salamua provincial high school because it was a new place and environment.
Everyone including my elder sister, two cousin brothers were at the beach to see
us off to the school area.
The party
boarded the motorized dinghy with the cargoes and luggage. Words of
encouragement and safe journey wishes were shared and the boat was on the move.
It was an emotional moment for all of us. I was really sorry because I felt
like the umbrella of protection from my parents are lifted and I was venerable
to attack. An analogy is; a chick is now prone to attack from the eagle because
the covering of the wing of the mother (hen) is no longer provided. I nearly
cried aloud, at the top of my voice but I controlled my emotions well. After an
hour the shape of my relatives who stood at Voco Point beach front faded like a
cloud in the clear blue sky. Instantly, the excitement of seeing new place and
meeting new friends as well as school mates began to envelop me. I could
clearly feel my heart jumped and blood was rushing like the feathers of the
pigeon.
At 2:30pm
the throttle of the motorized dinghy was slowed down and it was sailing pacifically
into the Gampawe beach front. Gampawe is the beach front at Kela village where
the Salamua provincial high school is located. I set foot on the beach for the
first time. The luggage and bags were unloaded and carried to my brother
in-law’s village. After settling down, I was escorted to the school where a
brief introduction to the headmaster, the female student warden as well as the
head girl was done. The head girl introduced me to the dormitory prefect who
showed me my cubicle where I was going to stay for the whole academic year.
Dormitory number three and cubicle one was the place of residence for 2003. My
elder sister’s husband and his son slept with their relatives at Kela village
and finally left for Lae the next day.
I stayed
the whole of term one at the school. Since I was new to the school it was like
water sinking into the hot dry desert of Sahara desert analogy. I took things
one by one as things and programs unfolded at my new school. The food was
enjoyed at the first few weeks but as months went like weeks and weeks flew
like days the taste of the food faded away.
I met a
family who became my guardian family for the rest of my schooling days at
Salamua provincial high school. Other problems encountered during the stay
included water problem and electricity problems, customary land disputes and
criminal attacked to female students. However, this did not disrupt the hunger
for education that I had like the deer that pants for water in the desert.
Education
surely influenced my entire life when my name was enlisted for the continuation
of high school, amongst the successful students whose names were read out on
the popular Tok Save program of Radio Morobe. I was focused from day one when
my name was selected to attend Salamua provincial high school. It haunts me
every moment that education is the key that should open doors of opportunities
for brighter future both for me and my country.
