QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Jaden and Tyler from Upper Hutt College ask - Does  Aloe Vera grow in Papua New Guinea?

Aloe Vera can certainly grow in the highlands of Papua New Guinea but I’m not sure how widespread it is. I have read that the highlanders do use the Aloe Vera juice internally to treat stomach ulcers. Also around the world Aloe Vera has been used traditionally in ointments and creams to assist the healing of wounds, burn, eczema and psoriasis (a disease which affects the skin and joints).

Marcus, Jayden and Jack from Upper Hutt College ask - Are there any plants in PNG that would be ideal to create an easy and efficient hand sanitiser?

New Zealand Manuka oil or Australian Tea tree oil both have anti microbial properties and are both easily sourced from health food shops. Both (because of the climate) could grow there.

The Chinese make a lemon and lime hand sanitizer.  Both those trees grow in the highlands.  And I read somewhere that prickly pear has also be used as an ingredient.

Tessa, Lyssa and Piper from Upper Hutt College ask - Do the people in Papua New Guinea have access to water filters and or water purifiers?

No and no.  They cost money.  If the water gets to the village (ie is not collected from a stream) it is piped from way up the hill and would be clean.  If it is collected from roofs (and that can only happen is the building has a corrugated, not straw roof) then there might be a metal grate on the down pipe to stop anything big getting into the tank.

Liam and Zach from Upper Hutt College as - What's the most common tree in PNG that we could use in our design?

The trees are only found on the mountain tops in the highlands whilst the valleys are covered in various types of grasses, one of the most useful is a type of bamboo known as pitpit. It is used for weaving walls of house and the tips are delicious to eat.  So, could Liam and Zach use bamboo in their design?