Friday Photo – Back to school in Papua New Guinea
October 16, 2009 by HeatherCowper
My, how young I look! It’s back to my student days in Papua New Guinea. When I was at university, I organised a group of four students to spend a few weeks in Papua New Guinea carrying out various projects related to our university studies.
Heather at a school in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea
We were deep in the highlands of Papua New Guinea in places that tourists would never get to, unless you had a reason to work with the locals, as a teacher, medical worker or missionary. As it’s over 20 years ago, you’ll forgive me if my memory’s a little hazy, but I do remember that the local American missionaries were kind enough to loan us their guest house, and that we lived on tinned fish, rice and sweet potatoes and whatever local vegetables the local ladies would come to sell us at the door. My project was on the oral history of the area, delving into the history of tribal conflicts and first contact with the white men, first traders and explorers, then missionaries who moved into the area in the 1940s in a race for souls.
This picture was taken at the school house when we visited one day, I can’t quite remember why. As always a photo can tell a story, and from this you might think the story was of an isolated people still wearing grass skirts and barely touched by western influence. In fact, the normal dress was western style but in order to keep in touch with their local culture, one day of the week was designated to the children wearing their traditional dress. Oh and my eye is always drawn towards that little boy picking his nose!
This photo is posted as part of Photo Friday hosted by Debbie at Delicious Baby - Head over to check out all the other Friday Photos
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Anna on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 10:20 am
Our world really needs people like you who go out of their way just to reach other people in need..
Amy @ The Q Family on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 2:25 pm
Very neat! And yes, my eye is drawn to that boy too.
jackie on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 4:10 pm
Hey, I didn’t even notice that until you mentioned it. Funny. Maybe because I have a 5 year old at home … if you know what I mean?
I did notice the varying and intense expressions on their faces. The photo really drew me in; wondering what they’re thinking.
Thanks for sharing the pic and the story too!
Nancy from Ciao Bambino on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 4:21 pm
What an amazing story. For many of us it’s those experiences that we had in college opportunities that started us on a lifelong journey of exploration and travel.
Caitlin on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 5:20 pm
I didn’t know you’d been to Papua New Guinea! What part of the Highlands were you in? I was based in Goroka in the Southern Highlands when I went.
Cate on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 5:36 pm
I wonder if this little boy – now a man – would like to see himself in this picture again. Oh the shame. Neat picture worth sharing thx.
Glennia /The Silent I on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 5:59 pm
I like the kid who is waving, but the nose-picker is hilarious! Great photo. What a wonderful adventure for you.
Linda on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 6:39 pm
Thanks for sharing your photo and your story.
Barbara @ Hole In The Donut Travels on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 7:57 pm
Love this photo! And you haven’t hanged a bit.
Barbara @ Hole In The Donut Travels on Fri, 16th Oct 2009 7:58 pm
Oops! that should have been “You haven’t CHANGED a bit.”
Dominique on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 4:23 am
Looks like a great adventure! Thanks for sharing.
Lucia on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 6:13 am
What a great experience and so good you still have the pics from it…I can’t seem to find many of my photos from my college traveling days and I wish I had them. Have you been back since that that trip? Must have been fascinating to hear some of those stories.
marina k. villatoro on Sat, 17th Oct 2009 3:43 pm
Hi,
Wow, what an experience! THese are the moments that shape us for ever, great photo!!!
Meet the elders in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea | Heather on her travels on Fri, 23rd Oct 2009 7:38 am
[...] love you to to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!After last week’s photo in the school in Papua New Guinea, I though I’d follow up with this one of me meeting the elders on the same trip, when I was a [...]
14 Papua New Guinea interview with Beth Whitman - Podcast | Heather on her travels on Thu, 28th Oct 2010 11:00 pm
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