PNG facts |
PNG is the largest Pacific Island country with vast land area. It is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with more than 700 different languages. In addition:
- Over 80 percent of people live in rural areas and depend on subsistence agriculture.
- Papua New Guinea ranks among the bottom ten nations worldwide for access to clean, safe water and sanitation. Infrastructure (roads, schools etc) is poor and much of the rural population has little or no access to basic facilities.
- The life expectancy is 55 years for men and 60 years for women (UN 2008).
|
Village life
Most Eastern highlands people live in small villages in 'round houses' which are made from plaited bamboo walls with a grass roof. |
  |
Students
|
Unfortunately, not all children in the villages go to school. Schools charge fees and not all families have money to pay. The children often have to walk long distances to school along tracks. |
Schools
These vary a lot. Some are built from plaited bamboo walls with a grass roof like the one on the left, while others may be built from permanent materials like this one at Asaro. Asaro is on on the Highlands Highway where it is easier to truck in materials. Another advantage is that this school has a corrugated roof which can be used to collect water. |
This YouTube clip shows an opening ceremony at a Habitat for Humanity built school. |
Toilets
Many schools do not have toilets but this one at Henganofi has these new toilets built for the school with the help of Oxfam New Zealand and ATprojects in Papua New Guinea. |
|
Roads
Apart from the main Highlands Highway which is pretty much tarsealed, the roads are pretty awful. Most people walk but for long distances, they flag down a truck such as this which is known as a PMV (Public Motor Vehicle). |
|
