Vital to change our attitudes

Our leaders, elders, pastors and MPs speak about the need to maintain peace and bring development.In order to do that, they need support from the communities.Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of maintaining peace. One example was the unprovoked attack on two officers from the MSF team (“Doctors attacked”, Feb 17).

The MSF team brought much needed services when they opted to serve at the Tari Hospital.Their presence led to people from far and near flocking to Tari Hospital.However, a drunk attacked two MSF officers and this had led to the team pulling back to Port Moresby.That single act had tarnished the good name of Tari.

Our leaders have tried their best to address such attitude problems but they continue to persist. Is it the leaders’ responsibility to resolve such problems? Or, is it the people? Whose problem is it? All good words and advice seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Every now and then, people in the Hela region are crying for their own province. This is great. If we want to manage our own province, then we need to change our behaviours and attitudes.

- Concerned Southern Highlander

Source: The National editorial


*** I share the same sentiments with concerned Southern Highlander that it is from within a person that he/she can change their attitude and behaviour for the better.

If we can change our attitude and say no to sex and control our sexual behaviours, we wouldn’t worry too much about HIV/AIDS because everyone would be responsible for his/her sexual behaviour and the same is true for all other social problems affecting our country.

If we can start now by changing our attitude in putting garbage and spitting betel nut in the bins, we can change our attitude towards our sexual behaviours, approaches to one another, respecting properties, etc......

If we don’t bring in an attitude change towards ourselves, the number of social problems will dramatically skyrocket in the next five to 10 years, no matter how many millions of kina or excessive resources we use to carry out awareness campaigns.

Unquestionably, if you and I can change our attitude for a better living, we can make a difference in the mist of this troublesome country (PNG) of ours where we call "home".

Vital to change our attitudes

Our leaders, elders, pastors and MPs speak about the need to maintain peace and bring development.In order to do that, they need support from the communities.Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of maintaining peace. One example was the unprovoked attack on two officers from the MSF team (“Doctors attacked”, Feb 17).

The MSF team brought much needed services when they opted to serve at the Tari Hospital.Their presence led to people from far and near flocking to Tari Hospital.However, a drunk attacked two MSF officers and this had led to the team pulling back to Port Moresby.That single act had tarnished the good name of Tari.

Our leaders have tried their best to address such attitude problems but they continue to persist. Is it the leaders’ responsibility to resolve such problems? Or, is it the people? Whose problem is it? All good words and advice seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Every now and then, people in the Hela region are crying for their own province. This is great. If we want to manage our own province, then we need to change our behaviours and attitudes.

- Concerned Southern Highlander

Source: The National editorial


*** I share the same sentiments with concerned Southern Highlander that it is from within a person that he/she can change their attitude and behaviour for the better.

If we can change our attitude and say no to sex and control our sexual behaviours, we wouldn’t worry too much about HIV/AIDS because everyone would be responsible for his/her sexual behaviour and the same is true for all other social problems affecting our country.

If we can start now by changing our attitude in putting garbage and spitting betel nut in the bins, we can change our attitude towards our sexual behaviours, approaches to one another, respecting properties, etc......

If we don’t bring in an attitude change towards ourselves, the number of social problems will dramatically skyrocket in the next five to 10 years, no matter how many millions of kina or excessive resources we use to carry out awareness campaigns.

Unquestionably, if you and I can change our attitude for a better living, we can make a difference in the mist of this troublesome country (PNG) of ours where we call "home".

Vital to change our attitudes

Our leaders, elders, pastors and MPs speak about the need to maintain peace and bring development.In order to do that, they need support from the communities.Unfortunately, not everyone understands the importance of maintaining peace. One example was the unprovoked attack on two officers from the MSF team (“Doctors attacked”, Feb 17).

The MSF team brought much needed services when they opted to serve at the Tari Hospital.Their presence led to people from far and near flocking to Tari Hospital.However, a drunk attacked two MSF officers and this had led to the team pulling back to Port Moresby.That single act had tarnished the good name of Tari.

Our leaders have tried their best to address such attitude problems but they continue to persist. Is it the leaders’ responsibility to resolve such problems? Or, is it the people? Whose problem is it? All good words and advice seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

Every now and then, people in the Hela region are crying for their own province. This is great. If we want to manage our own province, then we need to change our behaviours and attitudes.

- Concerned Southern Highlander

Source: The National editorial


*** I share the same sentiments with concerned Southern Highlander that it is from within a person that he/she can change their attitude and behaviour for the better.

If we can change our attitude and say no to sex and control our sexual behaviours, we wouldn’t worry too much about HIV/AIDS because everyone would be responsible for his/her sexual behaviour and the same is true for all other social problems affecting our country.

If we can start now by changing our attitude in putting garbage and spitting betel nut in the bins, we can change our attitude towards our sexual behaviours, approaches to one another, respecting properties, etc......

If we don’t bring in an attitude change towards ourselves, the number of social problems will dramatically skyrocket in the next five to 10 years, no matter how many millions of kina or excessive resources we use to carry out awareness campaigns.

Unquestionably, if you and I can change our attitude for a better living, we can make a difference in the mist of this troublesome country (PNG) of ours where we call "home".

Morata One - One of PNG's settlements

Settlements across the country are perfect places for people who leave their homes to look for greener pastures. Motives can be varied why people move to major cities and towns and having them end up in settlements with wantoks (friends). Many of these people do not have proper homes and their reside with either their friends or makeshift huts. Morata One is among the many settlements across the main cities and towns in Papua New Guinea.

Gambling - a daily occurrence at Morata One - pic by D.Ketepa

I have cousins and fellow tribesmen from Western Highlands who live in Morata One and when I visit PNG, I spend at least couple of hours with these folks. Most of the inhabitants are from the Western Highlands Province and a few from Chimbu and Enga respectively.

One of the things these people told me is the fact that there is a lot of criminal activities there almost everyday. They claim that police never go there to arrest those who involve in criminal activities because they are afraid of their lives. The are notorious criminals who mostly steal cars and drive into the settlement.

Furthermore, Gibiri Street (only street) which starts from the Community Hall down to the end where Western Highlands live is badly deteriorating. Successive governments have not made an attempt to fix this road. The people are so friendly and like any other settlement, those who live in Morata One would come out early in the mornings and sell their stuff along the side of Gibiri Street. Most of the sellers are very young and hopefully trying really hard to raise some money to go to school.

Some people at Morata One even live on gambling as the above picture shows people trying some of their luck - pic by D.Ketepa

While kids busy selling, adults spend most of their time gambling to pass time. Betel nut is one of the main items on their list to make quick bucks. Nearly 95% of the guys who live there is either a taxi driver or a crew on a bus owned by mostly Western Highlanders.

I noticed that there are leaders in Morata One who could negotiate with criminals to put their weapons or criminal activities away and cooperate with police to curb down criminal activities in the area. Once that is done, they should ask the government to fix Gibiri Street.

From PNG perspective, I think that the government doesn't want to fix Gibiri Street where criminal activity is a norm in Morata One. Until criminal activity is minimal in Morata One, government services will reach there.

Morata One - One of PNG's settlements

Settlements across the country are perfect places for people who leave their homes to look for greener pastures. Motives can be varied why people move to major cities and towns and having them end up in settlements with wantoks (friends). Many of these people do not have proper homes and their reside with either their friends or makeshift huts. Morata One is among the many settlements across the main cities and towns in Papua New Guinea.

Gambling - a daily occurrence at Morata One - pic by D.Ketepa

I have cousins and fellow tribesmen from Western Highlands who live in Morata One and when I visit PNG, I spend at least couple of hours with these folks. Most of the inhabitants are from the Western Highlands Province and a few from Chimbu and Enga respectively.

One of the things these people told me is the fact that there is a lot of criminal activities there almost everyday. They claim that police never go there to arrest those who involve in criminal activities because they are afraid of their lives. The are notorious criminals who mostly steal cars and drive into the settlement.

Furthermore, Gibiri Street (only street) which starts from the Community Hall down to the end where Western Highlands live is badly deteriorating. Successive governments have not made an attempt to fix this road. The people are so friendly and like any other settlement, those who live in Morata One would come out early in the mornings and sell their stuff along the side of Gibiri Street. Most of the sellers are very young and hopefully trying really hard to raise some money to go to school.

Some people at Morata One even live on gambling as the above picture shows people trying some of their luck - pic by D.Ketepa

While kids busy selling, adults spend most of their time gambling to pass time. Betel nut is one of the main items on their list to make quick bucks. Nearly 95% of the guys who live there is either a taxi driver or a crew on a bus owned by mostly Western Highlanders.

I noticed that there are leaders in Morata One who could negotiate with criminals to put their weapons or criminal activities away and cooperate with police to curb down criminal activities in the area. Once that is done, they should ask the government to fix Gibiri Street.

From PNG perspective, I think that the government doesn't want to fix Gibiri Street where criminal activity is a norm in Morata One. Until criminal activity is minimal in Morata One, government services will reach there.

Morata One - One of PNG's settlements

Settlements across the country are perfect places for people who leave their homes to look for greener pastures. Motives can be varied why people move to major cities and towns and having them end up in settlements with wantoks (friends). Many of these people do not have proper homes and their reside with either their friends or makeshift huts. Morata One is among the many settlements across the main cities and towns in Papua New Guinea.

Gambling - a daily occurrence at Morata One - pic by D.Ketepa

I have cousins and fellow tribesmen from Western Highlands who live in Morata One and when I visit PNG, I spend at least couple of hours with these folks. Most of the inhabitants are from the Western Highlands Province and a few from Chimbu and Enga respectively.

One of the things these people told me is the fact that there is a lot of criminal activities there almost everyday. They claim that police never go there to arrest those who involve in criminal activities because they are afraid of their lives. The are notorious criminals who mostly steal cars and drive into the settlement.

Furthermore, Gibiri Street (only street) which starts from the Community Hall down to the end where Western Highlands live is badly deteriorating. Successive governments have not made an attempt to fix this road. The people are so friendly and like any other settlement, those who live in Morata One would come out early in the mornings and sell their stuff along the side of Gibiri Street. Most of the sellers are very young and hopefully trying really hard to raise some money to go to school.

Some people at Morata One even live on gambling as the above picture shows people trying some of their luck - pic by D.Ketepa

While kids busy selling, adults spend most of their time gambling to pass time. Betel nut is one of the main items on their list to make quick bucks. Nearly 95% of the guys who live there is either a taxi driver or a crew on a bus owned by mostly Western Highlanders.

I noticed that there are leaders in Morata One who could negotiate with criminals to put their weapons or criminal activities away and cooperate with police to curb down criminal activities in the area. Once that is done, they should ask the government to fix Gibiri Street.

From PNG perspective, I think that the government doesn't want to fix Gibiri Street where criminal activity is a norm in Morata One. Until criminal activity is minimal in Morata One, government services will reach there.