17th May is new year all year around

T

here was a big debate in heaven over the next child in the queue. This was going to be the fifth child born to a Sepik couple. The fragile and innocent ball of cells waited patiently for the heavenly angels to finish their discussion. Finally His Excellency stood up and said, “I want that child to be perfectly made in my own image”. Upon the final comment, His Excellency ordered the work on that child to begin.

The child was wonderfully and fearfully made. Firstly, they work on his body image. The bones of his body were put into place and were covered with flesh and blood. After that, a hi-tech network of nerve system was built into the body. His body was brown in colour and tough in texture, compatible in tropical PNG climate. After that his body was protected with a tough defence of immunity and the skills and knowledge deemed relevant to survive in a Sepik community. He was going to be a male child and would have his father’s eyes, his mother’s nose, talk like his uncles and grow into a tall person like his forefathers. All of these things were compacted into that tiny ball of cells before proceeding into the work on his personality.

Then the work on his personality began. He was going to be a shy child, so he needs plenty of humbleness, some trust, a little bit of love, more politeness, right quantity of respect and so much strength to be a hard working child. He’s going to need a little bit of humour, and also some high sense of duty and responsibilities.

Lastly, the work on the future of the unborn child was carried out. The child was going to have a bright future, so they instilled some comprehension, understanding, some cleverness, a high sense of perseverance, and other abilities necessary to have a successful life. It took nine months for the work on that child to complete. His life was programmed to unfold in logical sequences over time.

 At last on 17^th of May, 1989, the child was brought into this world from heaven. The world rejoiced happily when he was born but the angels were so worried. They don’t know what his life on earth would be like and the child cried bitterly. He doesn’t want to let go of its safest place for the past nine months.

Soon after his birth, his life unfolded and he experienced a lot of things which he liked and others he disliked. There were also significant events in his life which he clings onto as his memories. 

At the age of four he would have a younger brother to keep him company in the family of four girls. Before that he was nearly killed in a cross fire between PNGDF and BRA in Bougainville. When he was five years old he lost his first baby tooth.

He did not like school very much. Bigger boys were so mean to him. He used to escape from classes. Soon his father found out and bashed him. Other time he was locked up in the toilet for disobeying his mother or goes without meal for playing marble too much.    

His 23 years of life on earth has been fun-filled. However, he is soft inside. Whenever, he is happy the angels smile and they cried when they see him sad.

His last four years in Divine Word University is almost over. He met a lot of friends from different parts of the country. He liked them but prefer the Health Management final year class of 2013 to be the best friends to be with. He doesn’t know what the future holds for him after he leaves DWU. But one thing he sure of is that, angels will always be with him and they can’t wait to welcome him back to heaven in his afterlife.

Dedicated to all those who were born in the month of May 1989.

East Sepik Provincial Administrator focuses on recruiting young workforce

The East Sepik Students’ Association of Divine Word University was privileged to meet with Provincial Administrator for East Sepik, Mr. Richard Kombo, on Saturday, 6^th July. Mr. Kombo was accompanied by Ms Roselyn from the Department of Personnel Management for Public Services. During the meeting a lot of interesting things concerning the province was said.

Mr. Kombo when speaking to the students, he said he is currently working on recruiting new and energetic students of ESP to return to the province and help build it. He is planning on laying off the old people who are holding public offices and need new graduates to fill in these offices

President of ESSA also hand delivered him two letters on the interests of the East Sepik students for financial assistance in paying of outstanding tuition fees, staging of the cultural show and Commissioning Ceremony for the final year students. A copy of each letter is addressed to the Governor of East Sepik Province, Hon. Mr. Michael Somare.

In response to questions raised by students concerning research, housing and communication network between the students and the provincial government, he said, he is in the preparation phase of building new houses to provide accommodation for the new recruits. Furthermore, his office is ready to fund any research in the fields of education, health, economy and agriculture. Before he finished, he is working on an internet website for the provincial government and was pleased to hear that the students are willing to help him build one. This would enable effective communication between the people of ESP and the provincial government

The meeting with Mr. Kombo to discuss such issues of paramount importance for the province was first of its kind and students are willing to work closely with the provincial government of ESP.

Life of a student

If you were once a student reading this post, be pleased to know that life has been shaped for the better because you lived.

Being a student is full of fun and of course has its own downsides. Most students leaving their homes for the first time is somewhat a bit disconcerting. You feel that your parents or friends are not there to fend you. At first you feel like giving up. But not too worry because it happens to every new student. I once felt the same when I went to Passam National High and then to Divine Word University.

Going to a university is quite a unique experience for every new student. It’s one of those rare occasions that cling to you for the rest of your life. The thoughts of meeting new people, the excitements and to realise that you are now on your own makes every new student wanted to tell their own share of stories. The experiences are often memorable for some reasons. Things like people you met on the first day at school and the mistakes you made are worth keeping.

As often you would hang around with friends from your previous school or students from the same village. For some people it is not the same. I remembered the first person I met was someone from Central province. We met when we were sitting in the queue trying to get ourselves registered. Later I found out that he was a smoker so we had no trouble getting along together.

For others, your best friend might be the one you accidently bumped into on your way to the library or someone who smiled at you because you looked funny or because both of you have the same passion for reggae music. Whatever the reasons, it is always through awkward moments that you met someone you call your best friend.

The fun begins when you get acquainted with your roommate. Initial meeting often lasts for hours. I can’t remember exactly what me and my roommate talked about the first night. I guess we talked about smoke, betel nut, food and other “boy marn stuff”. For some it may be about some high level discussions of secrets and sweet hearts back home. Anyway, I did enjoy his company. He was doing his second year when I enrolled and I looked upon him as a “big brother”. He seemed to know a lot about the school.

Greatest of friends, 2011 Graduation

To the students who are dying of enrolling into a university, life in a university is not so different from that of high schools. One thing that makes it slightly different is more freedom is given to the students. That is how I would describe life in a university. Your learning is in your own hands.

Other things are similar. There are sports clubs in universities where you can join. Also there are extracurricular activities and student services there to look after your wellbeing in university. Paramount of all is the academic stuff like assignments, tests and lectures which are everyday activities.

Apart from that social life will seem to fill the greater part of a university life if you do not budget your time properly. Friends are always around. There are all kinds of friends. Some are helpful while others are not great friends. Otherwise, everything is the same. You get drunk over the weekends while there are piles of work waiting for you, you met someone you thought to be that one and fall in love, go dating, dancing or partying. No one cares about that, parents are not around to see you, you thought to yourself.

For me, the greatest of all friends are my classmates, the class of Health Management 2010-13. They are cool and we have no problem hanging around together. Beyond that are things I do not like.

 

HM class of 2011 party at Island Peak, Madang