austraLasia #2176

Gulf province - Ariamiri - re-opens 'miracle' school

Araimiri (PNG): 18th June 2008 -- Admittedly it was 25th May when this took place, but the Gulf province of Papua New Guinea is, without doubt, one of the most secluded and unreachable parts of the globe, even by contemporary telecommunication standards. Bishop Paul Marx of Kerema Diocese blessed and re-opened the Dominic Savio Primary School on that day, after a four year closure, calling it 'a miracle school'.  And it certainly is that for the plantation children from Herehere, Ova'a, Ovahuhu, Lakkavu, Hiru, Lovehoho and Huiva villages.
    The Primary School, closed four years ago because of poor infrastructure and staffing, was opened in the presence of Fr Peter Baquero sdb, Rector of the Araimiri community and the Don Bosco technical school there, Fr Robinson Parappilly sdb Parish Priest amongst the Kearu people, the tribe to which most of the children attending the school belong, and the Diocesan Education Secretary Mr Tony Malaisa. There were thousands of people, along with the children, who witnessed the event.
    Fr Robinson felt that the most important need for the place was a good elementary school.  "Children of the district who have grown up out of school have tended often to become adults without fear of God or man, some even turning to rascalism and drugs", he indicated.  'Rascalism' is the PNG term for young people who drift into the urban areas and join gangs. The re-opened school will accommodate 250 children, with the aim of helping them to grow up to be good Christians and honest citizens.
    The school is now a permanent structure, built with the help of people from the villages and funded by the Salesians. "We have spent more than 40,000 Kina (approx US$ 15,000) on the infrastructure and we are proud to invest this money for the benefit of the children in the Kearu area. With the help of the Government and education department we hope to improve the living standards of the people and especially of the children and youth", he added.
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Title: australasia 2176
Subject and key words: PNG-SI Gulf Province DS Primary School
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2176