Australia: Prayers, Support from the Global Lutheran Communion

Tragic Loss of Lives and Livelihoods in Unprecedented Bush fires

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assures the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) of the prayers and accompaniment of the global communion following the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods in recent bush fires across the southeastern state of Victoria.

In a letter addressed to LCA President Rev. Michael P. Semmler, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko points out that the scale of the current fires and the tragic toll of lives has shocked the country as a whole and drawn the sympathy of the world.

Devastation in Flood and Fire: In seconds, families and friends are gone. Lives are changed never to be the same again. Let us all cry to the Lord for each other.

More than 180 people are known to have died, and the figures could rise, according to Noko's letter. Reports citing local authorities put the number of those injured over the past week at around 500, and some 1,000 homes destroyed. "The fact that some of the fires may have been deliberately lit only compounds the tragedy," notes the general secretary.

"The tears of every Australian are our tears also, and your nation's trauma a trauma for the whole international community," writes Noko. The letter has been shared with all LWF member churches, asking their prayers that the LCA "might be strengthened for the ministry of comforting the bereaved and counseling the traumatized, and for the accompaniment of families and communities as they reconstruct homes and lives from the ashes."

Noko commends Australians for their unity in compassion, solidarity and mutual support in these difficult times, and encourages the LCA to continue to "be a church for others" in the midst of the current disaster. The LCA is an associate member church of the LWF, which it joined in 1994.

Australia: Prayers, Support from the Global Lutheran Communion

Tragic Loss of Lives and Livelihoods in Unprecedented Bush fires

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assures the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) of the prayers and accompaniment of the global communion following the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods in recent bush fires across the southeastern state of Victoria.

In a letter addressed to LCA President Rev. Michael P. Semmler, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko points out that the scale of the current fires and the tragic toll of lives has shocked the country as a whole and drawn the sympathy of the world.

Devastation in Flood and Fire: In seconds, families and friends are gone. Lives are changed never to be the same again. Let us all cry to the Lord for each other.

More than 180 people are known to have died, and the figures could rise, according to Noko's letter. Reports citing local authorities put the number of those injured over the past week at around 500, and some 1,000 homes destroyed. "The fact that some of the fires may have been deliberately lit only compounds the tragedy," notes the general secretary.

"The tears of every Australian are our tears also, and your nation's trauma a trauma for the whole international community," writes Noko. The letter has been shared with all LWF member churches, asking their prayers that the LCA "might be strengthened for the ministry of comforting the bereaved and counseling the traumatized, and for the accompaniment of families and communities as they reconstruct homes and lives from the ashes."

Noko commends Australians for their unity in compassion, solidarity and mutual support in these difficult times, and encourages the LCA to continue to "be a church for others" in the midst of the current disaster. The LCA is an associate member church of the LWF, which it joined in 1994.

Australia: Prayers, Support from the Global Lutheran Communion

Tragic Loss of Lives and Livelihoods in Unprecedented Bush fires

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) assures the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA) of the prayers and accompaniment of the global communion following the tragic loss of lives and livelihoods in recent bush fires across the southeastern state of Victoria.

In a letter addressed to LCA President Rev. Michael P. Semmler, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko points out that the scale of the current fires and the tragic toll of lives has shocked the country as a whole and drawn the sympathy of the world.

Devastation in Flood and Fire: In seconds, families and friends are gone. Lives are changed never to be the same again. Let us all cry to the Lord for each other.

More than 180 people are known to have died, and the figures could rise, according to Noko's letter. Reports citing local authorities put the number of those injured over the past week at around 500, and some 1,000 homes destroyed. "The fact that some of the fires may have been deliberately lit only compounds the tragedy," notes the general secretary.

"The tears of every Australian are our tears also, and your nation's trauma a trauma for the whole international community," writes Noko. The letter has been shared with all LWF member churches, asking their prayers that the LCA "might be strengthened for the ministry of comforting the bereaved and counseling the traumatized, and for the accompaniment of families and communities as they reconstruct homes and lives from the ashes."

Noko commends Australians for their unity in compassion, solidarity and mutual support in these difficult times, and encourages the LCA to continue to "be a church for others" in the midst of the current disaster. The LCA is an associate member church of the LWF, which it joined in 1994.

School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"

School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"

School enrollments in Papua New Guinea

It's over a week now that schools are in full swing with their classes. Many Papua New Guinea parents who have kids in school are either having trouble finding school fees or looking for available spaces in community, primary, high, or secondary schools to enroll their kids.

I; as a brother, mentor, and guardian of my two brothers, Solomon and Johna have difficulty paying fees for the two siblings as well as couple of nieces let alone finding spaces for them to enroll. However, both Solomon and John were selected to go to a high school but due to some unsolved conflicts and frequent transportation problems at that high school; I asked that they try finding spaces in a school where they could have excess to reliable transportation as well as their safeties while in school.

I called all the schools around Western Highlands Province but I was told that all spaces available were full and that they didn't want to entertain any transfers. That left me baffled because I really wanted my siblings to get a good education. I was so desperate to look for spaces for both Solo and Johna. I tried all the options that I had but never worked according to my expectations. Now, I tried to use a bait to catch the attention of those so called school principals in high and secondary schools.

I offered them two options; 1) I told them that both Solo and Johna would pay in full the required parents' component of the school fees; and

2) I offered to donate a laptop to a principal who accepts both Solo and Johna to enroll in their school.

Above: Johna Ketepa Ulg (L) and Solomon Ketepa Ulg (third from left) very anxious to enroll at school even though, they were a week behind of the normal school schedule

I got positive responses from the schools that we approached where we got negative responses prior. This leaves me with an impression that; school principals and their deputies are offering available spaces in schools to those poor parents and their kids who are so desperate to enroll there for a better education and a brighter future for a gift in return. This sickens me because it sabotages students' learning for a brighter future. This reminds me of the Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich who wanted to sell the Illinois senator seat left vacant by President Barack Obama before he became president.

What kind of scenario is this in Papua New Guinea's schools? Are these principals playing a fair game? Does this sound like corruption, abuse of power, nepotism, and bribery? Those of you in Papua New Guinea have a better idea of what's mentioned here than I do because I am miles and miles away from home. Perhaps, some of you who're at universities, colleges, or even out in the field working, might have experienced this or were in this bandwagon at some point during your life in education.

In the meantime, I will solemnly adhere to fulfill the two options mentioned above because I want the best for my brothers. For Solomon, Johna, and their peers throughout the country; don't forget that; "YOUR EDUCATION IS YOUR LIFE SO GUIDE IT WELL"