Des Hansen volunteering in Papua New Guinea

 

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Sacred Heart High School, Papua New Guinea

[Image: Tapini viewed from the air ]
Tapini viewed from the air

Tapini, in Papua New Guinea's Central Province, is located 180km from Port Moresby and is only accessible by small plane. As in many parts of PNG, Tapini's isolation makes it difficult to develop adequate services and attract skilled professionals. Many of the staff at Sacred Heart High School, though qualified teachers, are younger and relatively inexperienced.

The community in Tapini and the surrounding Goilala region are significantly disadvantaged by their isolation. The lack of affordable transport has cut off a major source of income by placing Port Moresby's markets out of reach for local producers. This has also led to an urban drift away from the area, creating many social problems. Sacred Heart High School is now aiming to provide vocational and practical skills in areas such as trades, agriculture and home economics, in order to develop skills which will remain useful in this rural setting. Such skills will provide more stability and sustainability for the communities in Goilala region.

Due to the difficulties associated with running a remote rural school with many inexperienced teachers Fr Brian Cahill MSC placed a request with Palms Australia for an experienced teacher to act in a teaching and mentoring role at the school.

Des Hansen

[Image: Des Hansen ]

Palms Australia recruited Des Hansen, a retired teacher to work in Tapini for two years. He will work closely with local staff, sharing skills and expertise and contributing to the long-term vocational and academic education development of Tapini.

Des has over 35 years experience teaching in rural schools in Victoria. He has taken leadership roles at a number of schools and has experience in mentoring and assisting colleagues.

In letters of recommendation, Des has been described as a "caring, compassionate and hardworking teacher, whose greatest satisfaction came from doing his job well..." Des' positive example will complement the formal and informal mentoring he will provide.

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Support this work

This placement has concluded, however Palms Australia needs your support for many ongoing volunteer placements.

Palms' volunteers provide on-the-ground mentoring for local people, to build local capacity and reduce their dependence on foreign aid. The volunteers travel to meet the requests of the local communities, providing the skills they have identified as necessary to reduce poverty.

This is development as it should be done. Please support our work and help Palms Australia achieve our vision of a just, sustainable, interdependent and peaceful world.

 

 
 

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Should funds be raised in excess of the amount required to place Des, they will be used to assist place other volunteers in similar roles.