Books for Bak Primary School
In our Easter Newsletter, we included a story about Mr Donifry, the Principle of Bak Primary School. Ryan also took a video of his short interview with Mr Donifrey, so we thought we’d upload it for anyone who may be interested to “meet” this bush-man who has a vision to improve his community at the grass-roots level through education of the children!
By supporting our work with MAF you are enabling books and teachers to reach some of the world’s most isolated communities so their children have a chance at a decent education! Thank you.
2021 Marks 70 Years of MAF in PNG!
The first flight of an MAF aircraft happened in May 1951, 70 years ago next month! We had planned many celebrations to mark such a milestone, but sadly COVID has gotten in the way. But we will still be doing some celebrations via social media and news outlets in PNG to remind this country, which we are privileged to serve, just how long we have been here for…
Happy Easter Newsletter!
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School Books for Telefomin High School
The High School has around 400 students, and a beautiful purpose-built library, but the shelves in the library are quite bare. These school books I helped to deliver will go a long way towards encouraging the students to read to improve their English.
Training Ground Staff in Telefomin
Last week was super busy as we hosted 7 members of the Ground Operations Department (Shiv’s new/old department) who came to Telefomin to do some refresher training. Everyone had previously passed each course they were receiving a refresher in, but to squeeze 5 courses into just 1 week was quite a challenge for Nawi. Shiv even took an hour of their time to share a devotion and explain the latest PNG COVID prevention measures.
Everyone passed each of their courses, so the week was a great success, even if it was very busy!
First Base Visit as D’GOM!
Two weeks ago I conducted my first “official” base visit as the “Acting Deputy Ground Operations Manager” (D’GOM). It feels great to be starting to get to grips with this new/old job!
Ryan flew me to Kiunga so I could meet with the 2 Traffic Officers who work there, find out their current struggles, and look into some issues at the Kiunga airport.
The First Neighbours Return!
After 4 months of being the only pilot family, we were thrilled to welcome our Aussie neighbours back to Telefomin last week!
Some of our local friends came out to welcome them with flower necklaces.
Telefomin’s Ambulance
Last month a helicopter lifted a new Ambulance into Telefomin. Previously, the closest thing that the Telefomin hospital had to an ambulance was a flat-bed truck. Although the vehicle, pictured, is not what you might imagine in the UK/Canada, for PNG this is a fit-for-purpose Ambulance, complete with stretcher, oxygen, 4-wheel drive capability, siren and flashing lights.
Ryan took these photos on the day he brought in a Medevac patient, the first time the ambulance was used for it’s true purpose.
Rainbow over the Balus
Balus is tok pisin (Melanesian pidgin) for airplane. In Telefomin we are often spoiled with beautiful rainbows around our home and our “balus”. Here are a couple of photos Ryan took recently… (Click to see more)
Happy Valentines Day!
St Valentine’s Day is not just a special day for us for the usual reasons. It was on 14th February 2017 that we met each other’s parents in person for the first time, and then, 2 days later, Ryan proposed with all 4 of them with us, so mid-February holds very special memories.
New Floor Please?
We’ve had some of our maintenance team in Telefomin this past week doing some essential maintenance. Our Swiss neighbours have had plastic liners put in their 2 metal tanks, to stop the leeks due to rust, and the floor at the base has had some much needed repair work. In the photo, right, Eugene & Steven, our two Traffic Officers, are pointing out some of the big ruts in the cement floor which makes pushing trolleys loaded with cargo rather tricky.
Christmas has come at last!
Last week we received our first Christmas Card in the post! IN FEBRUARY! I guess the international post from North America is working, just rather slowly. The post mark was dated 30-Nov-2020, so only just over 2 months to get here. Thank you Brownfield Baptist Church for sending us a Christmas card. Sadly nothing has come through from the UK yet, even though we are expecting a few things that were posted in November…
Welcome Back
Shiv started some new role, one is supporting her old department. She went to Mt Hagen for a week to handover the manual she has been unable to complete, and to receiving briefings on her new responsibilities.
She’s really pleased to be able to support David Pank, the Ground Operations Manager, by supporting the 10 operational bases where MAF flies in PNG.
Helping our Neighbours
There are a few small commercial airlines who fly into Telefomin regularly. One of them had a stone unfortunately damage their Twin Otter recently. As they know we are based here full-time, they contacted our boss to ask if we had any accommodation. The transit house, which Shiv looks after, played host to 2 pilots and 4 Engineers, the latter who stayed for the whole weekend to fix the aircraft. Thankfully they were successful and the Twin Otter flew out on Monday, much to their relief.
We are here to serve the remote communities, but it’s nice to be able to help our aviation neighbours too!
Telefomin’s version of Uber…
This is Andrew, he drives one of the handful of motorbikes which putter around Telefomin these days. When we first moved here 3 years ago, there weren’t any motorbikes at all! We joke that they are Telefomin’s version of Uber as we often see passengers on the back.
PNG “Brother”
This is our “brother”, Lukas. His Mum is Mama Cathy, the lady who helps clean our house. Lukas pops round quite regularly to help out with some big jobs like cleaning out the drainage ditches in the garden and washing the outside of our house, he’s a real blessing to us!
Lukas loves to say hi to Ray the dog when he comes over. They all laugh when Shiv says Ray is like her baby, but Lukas takes his role of Ray’s Uncle, very seriously.
Telefomin Flowers
PNG ladies love their gardens. The vegetables bring life to their families and the flowers bring joy to their hearts.
I have been blessed many times with beautiful bouquets of local flowers, like these which were waiting for us when we returned home back in October.
Shiv in the Newspaper
Towards the end of last year I was interviewed for a PNG Newspaper, The National. Click on the title to go to the article.
Washing the Balus
Even when he’s on the ground and not flying, Ryan is busy.
Although Mondays are his “office” day, he doesn’t usually spend more than a few hours sitting at his desk doing paperwork and emails. His aircraft (Balus) has to have its engine washed once a week to keep it in good working order. This takes about an hour or so, with the help of our trusty Traffic Officer, Steven, pictured.
Today he also climbed up the tree next to our water tanks to chop its top off again.
Christmas Weekend Highlights
Click to see a few highlights from our Christmas weekend which we spent in our home in Telefomin with some very dear MAF PNG friends.
Click on the picture, left, to watch a video of our friend, Nurse Rhema, one of the local health care workers who MAF supports and we fly out of Telefomin.