Population: 5,931,769
Area: 462,840 sq. km.
Median Age: 21.5
Literacy: 57.3 %
Languages: New Guinea Pidgin, English, Motu, 820 indigenous languages
The terrain of Papua New Guinea varies from its rugged mountainous spine to its beautiful beaches to its volcanic islands to one of the world’s largest swamps and the large river systems of the Sepik and Fly rivers. These geographical differences have created a unique country with many diverse cultures. The ties within a family unit are very important providing a social system where each person is responsible for his or her “wantoks” or people who speak the same language. Unforunately, the “wantok system” can also lead to a distrust between cultures. To build trust rather than nepotism volunteers need to be equipped to deal sensitively with such issues.
Current Volunteers
Recent Volunteers
Below are some profiles of volunteers currently working in Papua New Guinea.
Des Hansen
Des Hansen, from Foster VIC, is volunteering for Emmaus Farm, Kiunga, Papua New Guinea, for two years.
Esther and Paul
Esther Sim and Paul Tan, from Glenelg SA, are volunteering to work in Kiunga, PNG for two years.
Peter and Elaine
Peter and Elaine Smyth are volunteering to provide legal advice and personnel assistance at DWU in Madang, PNG.
Retired volunteers: the giving of wisdom
March 11, 2012
You would be mistaken if you think volunteering is just a “young person’s game”. Older volunteers bring a number of qualities which can make them the most effective at contributing to their host communities.
6 common reactions to Fair Trade (in order of ascending cynicism)
February 14, 2012
Imagine you work for a company which makes millions every year from products which cannot claim to meet these standards. How might you respond to questions posed to you about fairness and human rights?
What John did at Christmas
February 7, 2012
I decided to return home for Christmas as the entire family had decided to descend on Perth for the festive season. I left Kiunga about 10.00 am. The morning was rushed because of the early departure and the need to book in early to avoid being off loaded (Bumped) should a small plane be used for the service.
Once more into the fray
December 9, 2011
Volunteering can be both a challenging and immensely rewarding experience. Few returnees would claim to remain unchanged by the experience. Some, such as Des Hansen and Monica Morrison, value the experience so much that they return for another placement.
Des Hansen volunteering in P.N.G. again
December 2, 2011
Des Hansen, from Foster VIC, is volunteering for Emmaus Farm, Kiunga, Papua New Guinea, for two years.
Building houses and building capacity/Keep Palms in PNG
November 25, 2011
For security reasons, AusAID is currently unwilling to support Palms Volunteers placed in Papua New Guinea, though we remain as committed as ever to continuing our work with our partners in PNG. Our relationships and networks are too strong to abandon. Our history and knowledge of PNG are too valuable to waste.
Mission with the vision of a revolutionary
Clair and Merv in 2011 So much has occurred over the past fifty years and like an old soldier, age has wearied me. I understand that Eileen Boylan has just celebrated her ninetieth birthday. It was her late husband, Roy, with his crumpled-up tie and carpet slippers, who led a PALMS committee that was a [...]
A sawmill for Tmoknai, Papua New Guinea
November 3, 2011
We felled three trees to cut up and a number of smaller trees for firewood. The trainer was good at his duties and kept the boys working. They had a steep learning curve in learning how to use the machine, work as a team and also cut timber safely. They got through it well.