WEEK 2 of the Challenge Program
Leading the four guys from Australia to Papua New Guinea for a 2 week volunteer experience to ‘Test drive the Brothers’ life’ commenced with Sunday morning mass. We were once again without power because someone had stolen the battery inverters from the church leaving us in relative darkness! 

Monday we were back into our daily schedule again with classroom activities and leadership training sessions. The guys who have been with me during this trip to PNG have been full of zeal and a great inspiration to the young people at Mainohana. 

On Wednesday, we left Mainohana at 6am to drive to Port Moresby. We arrived in time for the graduation ceremony of the final year students from the Hohola Youth Development Centre (which the Brothers run).

Unexpectedly I was invited to the stage to present some of the student awards.  I was hardly in formal attire being dressed in shorts and a T shirt.  Just the same they were happy to have another Brother present for the occasion. 

On our last day in the country we had the opportunity to visit one of the Lasallian schools just outside of Port Moresby at a place called Bomana.  The school is situated opposite the War Memorial where a number of Australian soldiers from the WWII PNG campaign are buried. 

I hadn’t long arrived at the school when I was greeted by one of the teachers who turned out to be one of my former students from my stint of three years teaching in PNG in the 1980’s!

In true PNG style, school was halted for an hour and our group was introduced to the school assembly and had the chance to speak with the boys. 

On our final night in PNG we did not get much sleep as a group of locals decided to have an all night party not too far from the Brothers’ house in Hohola. 

However, lack of sleep did not deter our group.  Next morning we rose at 5am to assist at the ‘Breakfast club’ at the Hohola Youth Development Centre. The Club operates three mornings a week to provide breakfast to the students, many of whom travel great distances just to get to school.  The Club is organized by John Francis, a young man training to become a Brother. 

After helping at the Club, we gathered for Morning Prayer at 6.15am. I bid my farewell at 7.30am and headed to the airport for a 9.30am flight to Cairns to catch up with friends before heading home to Bankstown. The rest of the guys departed for home later in the day.

All in all, it was a great trip and the four participants are keen to keep in contact.

Peace,

Mark