In this 75th year of MAF operations in Papua New Guinea, we talked to one of our newest staff, Egbert Awani, who serves as a member of our ground crew. Though he’s only recently joined us, his MAF story goes back generations.
Story by Vicky Powell
After graduating from Don Bosco Technical Institute, Egbert Awani bought a one-way ticket and travelled across Papua New Guinea. In search of work, he left the city of Port Moresby and focussed his efforts on the small town of Kiunga.
“You guys have to pick me up from the airport,” he told his friends. But after almost a year, and multiple failed attempts at finding a job, he stumbled across a social media advert for a role with MAF.
Growing up in Nuku, in the Sepik region, Egbert had seen MAF’s service to the people in ‘the bush’. Egbert sent the application and waited for a response.
“I applied, not knowing that I would be successful,” Egbert said. “I don’t know much about MAF, but from my childhood days that was the only service for my people.
“My parents and grandparents, they used to get served by MAF,” Egbert said.
With a passion to help people through aviation, Egbert uses each day as an opportunity to bring a smile to someone’s day, the same way MAF did to his family as he was growing up.
“I really enjoy myself, being here with MAF. Helping those people from Morehead, Mougulu – those places without a road.”
Planes aren’t the only tool Egbert uses to bring joy to work at our Kiunga base. Before boarding, each passenger must be weighed so that safe limits of people and cargo are not exceeded.
I really enjoy myself, being here with MAF
“I usually make fun with the kids, telling them they weigh more. It boosts their morale to feel like a ‘big man.’”
Egbert’s approach to his role is an example that each role within MAF can make a difference in someone’s life. It is proof that each position is vital, whether as a pilot on the frontline, or managing passengers and cargo, each is an opportunity to bring joy to the world of the isolated.
Since 1951, MAF has been serving generations of Papua New Guineans like Egbert’s family, and this year celebrates 75 years of God’s enabling.
MAF is not just a service to remote communities, but a legacy that follows people from childhood, a seed God can water in the right time, turning an experience into a fulfilling career.
“When I go through that history of MAF when I was a child, I was thinking that normal service providers don’t feel the same as MAF,” said Egbert.
“Being a true part of MAF is great.”