Flights support remote PNG school giving kids a brighter future
Story by Joy Suarkia
Wanakipa Primary School headmaster Howard Hungi summed up the isolation of his community as he declared, "If MAF wasn't here, I believe that all services in Wanakipa would cease to operate."
Mr Hungi works hard to overcome the difficulties of managing the remote primary school situated in the bush land of Hela Province, to the north of Kopiago in the Lagaip River valley. The lack of road access to Wanakipa presents a significant challenge.
With no road access, the community cannot access basic services and the school is unable to get educational materials and resources for the students
The headmaster stressed that the only viable method to transport goods and services is through MAF’s aviation service.
“All new school building materials and supplies were delivered by MAF, enabling the operations in Wanakipa Primary School,” he added. “Every schoolbook we have in our library was flown in by MAF.”
Samuel Walo, a student from Wanakipa Primary School, is ambitious to one day become a doctor and shares his struggles and disadvantages because of the isolation of his village
Children in town are very lucky that they can have easy access to school where they get proper education and can pursue their dreams. But I hope that one day I would become a doctor and I know that I can become that
Mr Hungi described the alternative method of travel to the nearest town if flights were not available. “It would take a 2-day journey by foot through bush tracks, and there are robbers, tribal enemies and hold ups along the way. You know, it’s not a good area. It’s very volatile. We struggle with that.
Thanks to MAF, I am here today, and I firmly believe that without their presence, essential services in Wanakipa, including Wanakipa Primary School, would cease to function. Truly, it’s because MAF is here that I can be here
