Momase Region

East Sepik Lasallian Youth Encounter Camp

By Joshua Moish

The East Sepik Lasallian Youths journeyed to Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Maprik for their annual Encounter Camp on September the 25th to 27th. Since 2013, our youth movement has been growing roots. This year a good number of senior high school students participated in this camp. For the very first time, Mr Paul Suakau, a secondary teacher from Bishop Leo travelled with 10 other teachers to this Encounter Camp. Students came from various secondary schools and primary schools in the East Sepik Province. Secondary school students comprise students from Bishop Leo Arkfield, Brandi, Maprik and a couple from Brugam Primary school. Students came from St Mary’s Wirui, St Peter’s Ibab, Our Lady of Lourdes and James Primary School. This year, we achieved another milestone by having our local Lasalle youths taking the lead in programming and facilitating the gathering. It was the initiative of the lasallian teachers in the area to empower the local youths. It was time for the youths to rise up and prove their potential as future leaders for East Sepik Lasallian Youths. We are grateful to Elizabeth Aribi, Dagia Aka, Larry Aua and Francis Apa, our Youth Ministers who have sown seeds in the yester years. This is the fruit of their labor. Our youth leaders programmed and presented topics on: Life of the Founder, Lasallian Vocation, Lasallian Youth Creative Class, Lasallian Youth Leadership, It’s cool to be a Lasallian and Teaching Lasallian Songs.Though it was their first time, they managed to give their best to the

60 plus student participants. Aloysius Jalapuin challenged them with his presentation on the topic “If not me, who?” He encouraged them to be like Moses with the Burning Bush. “Leave behind your sandals and trudge on the new horizon” He stressed that curiosity will lead to discovery of who you really are.

The Encounter Camp ended with youths writing up their Action Plans guided by Josh Moish. Youths gathered in their respective schools and planned on what they will do in their respective schools as Young Lasallians, focusing on the three values of Faith, Service and Community.

Lasallian Youths from Bishop Leo Secondary discussing their action plan

MOMASE REGION

A representative from each school presented their plans to the Camp. They look forward to carrying out their action plans in term 4 and to make a difference in their schools.

Lasallian Youths from Maprik Secondary discussing their action plan

Lasallians Rural Teachers’ Retreat

By Grace Wrakia

In July this year, a group of Lasallian teachers in Papua New Guinea travelled to a remote school for a 3 days Lasallian Teachers’ Retreat. There were many opportunities given during this retreat for the teachers to reflect on their life’s journey as Lasallian teachers in rural and remote PNG primary schools.

Through the sharing opportunities given during this retreat, the Lasallians shared the exultations and the tribulations they experienced while teaching in remote primary schools. These stories were interesting, for some it was sad, but there was inspiration in all of them. I wish to share some of these stories here. The intention is not to discredit or disrespect any school, community and authorities, but to shine light on the dedication of some teachers in the provinces, and honour them for it. No names are mentioned:

1. A lasallian teacher was physically attacked in the school by a fellow teacher because this Lasallian spoke up about the unprofessional conduct of teachers in the school. The Lasallian teacher commented about teachers chewing betel nut while conducting assembly, and while doing official duties. A mediation was held between the two parties, and peace was finally reached when the betel nut teacher finally admitted that what he did was wrong and apologised.

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3. A Lasallian teacher who is the head teacher in a primary school, was verbally assaulted by drunk youths from the school’s surrounding communities. This head teacher had to speak up against youths who continuously harass young female teachers. The teacher became the target of ridicule, verbal assaults and threats. However the head teacher shared that “it was better I take the full blunt of this harassment because I have grown a thicker skin over many years of experience and I can take it, than to see a new graduate teacher losing her or his passion for teaching because of attacks like these”. Authorities and police have stepped in to assist this head teacher and other teachers.

A junior Lasallian teacher had to step up under difficult situations to manage or run a school, after the head teacher and senior teacher left the school. With little experience but with great confidence, the junior teacher has managed the school of 500 students and 7 teachers for the last six months. The pandemic added to already existing challenges, and further added to by an ignorant and uncooperative community around the school.

MOMASE REGION

4. This Lasallian teacher asked himself “if I go too, then who will teach these children?” With that self-conviction backed up by few years of Lasallian formation, this teacher plans to stay on to complete this academic year and maybe if allowed to, will continue to teach there for some more years. He hopes to turn this school around for the better.

Many Lasallian teachers shared their dissatisfaction about the lack of or no emphases placed by their colleagues in the teaching of Christian Religious Education (CRE). Lasallians expressed sadness at this and many of them have decided to take up additional CRE classes themselves. They said “CRE is a very important and core subject in the curriculum, and therefore must be taught with care and zeal”.

These are just few of the many inspirational stories shared at this retreat.

I sincerely thank these Lasallians who talked about their life’s journey. Listening to these stories, made me personally appreciate the dedication of these teachers and admire their boldness to stand up for what is right and justice for the vulnerable children in the schools.

Let us continue to pray for Lasallians and especially for the lone Lasallian teacher, teaching in a rural and remote school somewhere in Papua New Guinea. Their stories continue to inspire us.

St. John Baptist de La Salle. Pray for us.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts. Forever!