Educational Performance & Promotion Sialum: April 2013

INTRODUCTION

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.

Farewell function

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.

Back to school shopping

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.

Departure out of Lae

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.

Arrival at Gampawe beach, Salamua

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.

Salamua provincial high school

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.

CONCLUSION

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.

Educational Performance & Promotion Sialum

Monday, April 8, 2013

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