Story Hannah Gardner Photos Mandy Glass
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Amber Joy Mori was a teenager growing up in Papua whatever you’re doing and tend to that. New Guinea (PNG) when she felt called to There’s a sense of satisfaction when we complete a scheduled maintenance on missionary work with MAF. time, and the engineer or pilot comes “From a very early age, I was aware of back after an engine run or test flight and MAF,” says Amber, “because I went to says, ‘Everything was great.’ primary school with a lot of MAF kids. “One thing I find about this role: there’s Also, there were a few MAF families at our always something new to learn! I enjoy church. Living in Mount Hagen, it’s hard that aspect of my job. MAF is a lifeline to not to know about MAF!” However, it was a lot of people in PNG, especially in rural while Amber was studying engineering communities. There aren’t a lot of other at university that her calling was side- airlines that provide the services we do, tracked by other job opportunities. After such as medevacs. People really need MAF graduation, she tried unsuccessfully to — I’ve seen first-hand just how grateful they secure work in nearby Australia before are. MAF always tries to put people first. In realising that God wanted her to stay in this pandemic, I know a lot of people in her home country. “In hindsight,” Amber the aviation industry have lost their jobs. At recalls, “I realise that God was closing all MAF PNG, we’ve been blessed with relative those other doors and calling me back to security during the pandemic. PNG.” “Eventually, I want to go with MAF to the “I joined helicopter company Manolos Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Aviation and worked there for a year-and- or Uganda, so I’m currently trying to learn a-half before joining MAF in 2018. My French and Swahili – although Swahili is work varies from day to day because each so difficult!” task depends upon the maintenance job Photo: Amber Joy Mori - One of MAF we’re assigned. Then, if you’re assigned PNG’s Aircraft Mechanic Engineers an unscheduled job, you have to drop 8
