Expect The Unexpected                       
(Article written by Skye Hocklas.)

 Before venturing into the land of Papua New Guinea I was expecting a few things. I'd heard about the high crime rate and the poverty. I was basically expecting to spend the next 14 days virtually "slumming" it with none of the luxuries that I take for granted at home in Australia. What I didn't expect to find was an incredibly rich country. Not in the sense that they have huge amounts of money or possessions, but rather the fact that they are rich in culture and generosity. I definitely didn't anticipate how warm and friendly the people would be, nor did I imagine that we would receive huge welcomes with hundreds genuinely happy to see our group. It was definitely a memorable experience that I will remember for the remainder of my life.

Papua New Guinea is a beautiful country. The scenery is breathtaking, the weather is always hot and the people are proud to celebrate their heritage even as western influences take over. Upon arriving in Goroka our group of 10 was inundated with smiles, handshakes and hugs. Lei were placed around our necks and we were given traditional spears as Asaro Mudmen danced a dance of protection around us. It was a surreal experience to be greeted like this, something you certainly don't see every day or expect to happen. Looking back, this generous greeting set the scene to what was to come in the next two weeks.

 The key focus of our trip was the Asaroka Lutheran High School which was founded by Pastor Len Tscharke and his wife Claire, who were affectionately referred to as Papa and Mama Sarki.

Each day we tackled the treacherous Asaroka dirt road to get there. On our first day at the school we were guided by a Sing Sing group through a guard of honour made by hundreds of smiling students. Flowers petals were thrown at our feet whilst we walked making us feel somewhat like royalty. After church service anybody who wanted to greet us were invited to come and shake our hands. It was amazing to see how many of the students and teachers approached us, the line up was never ending and in the end some had to be turned away. For the next few days we trekked out to the school to mingle with the students and teachers. We toured the grounds and sat in on some classes. Obviously the school was not up to the same standard as its counterparts in Australia; however, the dedication of the teachers and the commitment of the students to their studies revealed that they were making the most of what little they had. 

Other highlights of the trip included visiting several villages to witness the traditional way of living, feasting on a mu mu (food cooked in the ground), worshipping with the locals, seeing the Goroka ladies who visited us in Australia and meeting their families, eating the freshest of fruits for breakfast each morning, the Goroka Show, experiencing the culture, visiting the Asaroka Elementary School, the opening of the new teacher's duplex at the Asaroka Primary School, purchasing a rainwater tank, pump and roofing paint for the schools, visiting Ialibu where Pastor Len and Claire established a Primary School, and just getting to know the people.

 They say that when visiting Papua New Guinea you should expect the unexpected. After being there and seeing it with my own two eyes, I tend to agree. 

(Other members of the team were Pastor Len & Claire Tscharke, Judith Whaites, Ken Tscharke, Terry Tscharke, Daryl Trigg, Rosalie & Graeme Hoklas and Dorothy Quick) 

The following sub-pages include more photos of our recent visit to Papua New Guinea. (Year 2009)