West New Britain’s Rainy Season in pictures. These were taken in January 2015 when our rainy season was at its worse.
Trying to keep dry at the back of the vehicle
Moving to higher ground
Only 4WD can drive in these conditions
Kids are loving all this water
People watch as the excavator clears the debris from building up and blocking the flow of water under the bridge
A man stops and takes a picture on his mobile phone
All dressed in red they stretched out over 500 meters with the last lot of women trickling behind trying to catch up with the crowd. They were mainly made up of Women over the age of 35, the older ones physically struggling to keep up but you could tell that their mind and soul are set in completing this march for this would be their best chance at standing up, for being heard, to end the suffering and protecting not only their daughters, nieces and granddaughters but the future generation of all Females in Papua New Guinea.
They marched in the scorching heat and yelled out “enough is enough” and “Stop Violence against women” till they reached their final destination. There they spread out under a canvas and waited eagerly to sign the petition to the Government to end all forms of violence against women. It was a historical moment. The first of its kind in our young nation and the name given to it “National Haus Karai” (National Day of Mourning) was very fitting. There I saw some mothers weep quietly to themselves, it broke my heart just watching it, I wondered what secrets they were keeping and for how long or what terrible thing had happened to her or someone she loved. They held hands and sang songs of praise, hearts wide open and exposed praying out loud their deepest worries hoping to be heard. I heard them and it was like I knew their prayers off by heart because I have heard it many many times before. It was a prayer for change, for understanding, a prayer to end the suffering felt by many women, to stop the abuse and bring back love and caring to those who had strayed from the path…….
This post is something which i feel strongly about, its something which I just can’t ignore. It might be a bit full on for some but for me and my fellow Papua New Guineans its something which we see or hear about everyday…WE WANT CHANGE!
We are all shocked & sadden by the Sorcery killings and crimes against our Women. These poor women that have fallen victim, I wonder how we became like this, how we finally let our beliefs and the fear that comes with it take control and over power our common sense and respect for all human beings. I wondered how the victims felt before their untimely death. It only brought tears to my eyes and pain to my soul. Let’s bring back the respect for our Mothers, Sisters, Aunties and Bubus…. it could be your family or friend that could fall victim next.
This Post is Dedicated to all the Women in P.N.G.
Don’t cry for me when I am gone…
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, for when I was here you didn’t try to help me disprove the rumors…
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, you didn’t comfort me and tell me it would all be ok…
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone, you just like everyone else looked at me with those scared & hatred eyes.
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone you didn’t try to protect me when they chased me down…
Don’t cry for me when I’m gone you heard my screams and saw my tears but didn’t try to stop them….
I see you there in the back among the angry crowd, I didn’t realize how many there were until now…I see your tears through your frightened eyes, I know now, that you too were afraid but not of me…but it’s too late… Don’t cry for me when I am gone…..
STOP SORCERY KILLINGS, STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN P.N.G!!!!
GOD SAVE PNG
Mother set out the fishing net, hoping for fish for dinner as her daughter tried to balance herself on the slippery rocks, she throws her line into the calm ocean. Her dark coloured skin painted orange but it only lasted as long as the sunset, her eyes lit up with excitement as she tugged on her fishing line, a bite from a fish. Unlucky she was that day but lucky forever for having such a beautiful place to call home. This is normal for her, the sunset her young eyes have witnessed many….it was just another day …like any other day….
my new guinea 