Mama Nunta & Papa Markis
We’re very fortunate to be a part of a community here in Telefomin. Papa Markis, one of the early local converts to Christianity, has been unwell for a few months so the Ladies’ Fellowship decided they would visit him and take some food and other little gifts to be a blessings to both he and his wife, Mama Nunta, who is a regular member of the Ladies’ Fellowship. One Saturday morning, after the Fellowship meeting had finished, we all walked the 20 mins to their house where we were welcomed into the “Haus Kuk”. Most locals have a bush-material made house with a hole in the roof which acts as a chimney for their fire where they cook all their food. About 12 of us crowded into their Haus Kuk whilst Papa Markis told us about how he was beaten 5 years ago, because some locals accused him of witchcraft and this beating has left him with pain in his body.
Sadly Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) is still a common problem throughout PNG. To find out more, check out our friend Anton’s Facebook page. Anton has lived and served in PNG most of his life, he is a campaigner against gender-based and sorcery accusation related violence and is involved in both education on these issues and actively saving people at risk.
Mama Nunta & Naomi outside the “Haus Kuk” (Kitchen)
Papa Markis & Mama Nunta kindly hosting us
A bit more of a view of the inside of the “Haus Kuk” with it’s fireplace, above which wood is stored for drying.
