Barbed Wire and Bougainvillea by Bob Stevens

Author:Bob Stevens
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Adventure, Missionaries, Papua New Guinea, Barbed wire, Bougainvillea, Aid-work, Witchcraft, Sanguma, Mythology, Kuru, Humour, Island traders, Globe trotting, Exotic natives, Wuvulu Island, New Guinea Highlands, Tiger country, New Guinea mountains, Chocolate clouds, Jungle airstrips, Mudmen, Bows and arrows, Sing-sing
ISBN: 9781783334117
Publisher: Andrews UK Limited 2013
Published: 2013-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 57

Back into the fray

The start of the third term went well. The students were interested in where I had been and what I had done and seen during the break. One of my grade nine boys was originally from a village situated between Vanimo and the border with Irian Jaya and we were able to compare notes.

Students also told me of their adventures during the past two weeks. Many only got to see their parents during school holidays, and I learned of some walking for twelve hours or more to get back to their kin through tracks unsuitable for motor vehicles. Others spent hours in canoes or banana boats to return to their villages.

I hoped parents were pleased with midyear exam results. No doubt the virtues or vices of the white teacher were relayed to the mothers and fathers during village conversations. Achievers and non-achievers alike, they were great kids.

In the last week of July, new teacher Brother Phillip arrived from India. He was introduced to staff and students at the Monday morning assembly, and whereas all other male and female Indians dressed in western attire, Brother Phillip was conspicuous in his flowing garb. It caused some tittering amongst the students lined up to sing the national anthem and school song. I knew of one Indian teacher who was not impressed with Brother Phillip’s dress code

As with me, Brother Phillip tagged along with Sunder Raj for the first week and then went solo. On the Monday afternoon of Brother Phillip’s first day at the helm, I was in the workshop assisting the two mechanics by putting two-pack filler in the dents of a vehicle being prepared for painting. Brother Phillip took grade ten for practical lessons in an open fronted building twenty metres across from us. The two mechanics and I watched the roll call and then, over a period of just a few minutes, noticed ten boys slip around behind the building one by one to disappear into the bush. I was aware of the problem - I’d been there, done that.

To my enjoyment I did get back to teaching grade ten practical lessons periodically as Brother Phillip was absent on several occasions. He had problems adjusting to the prevailing conditions and spent a fair amount of time incapacitated. Although I wasn’t told so, I think he contracted malaria soon after arrival which prevented him from fronting for work. I do know that Sunder Raj was peeved on these occasions when he was compelled to ask if I would take over. Better I let sleeping dogs lie with that one.

Brother Phillip, an electrician by profession, was an amicable fellow, and we got along OK as time went by.

One afternoon soon after lunch and with my next class not programmed until 2 pm, I was assisting the mechanics when Principal Packia Raj pulled up in front of the workshop door. Sitting alongside him in the Toyota cab were two middle aged white ladies. He had brought them to meet me.

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