A Reason to Celebrate Manus Day

On Saturday August 25 2018, many Manusians in Port Moresby and around the country will observe the Manus Provincial Day .

Since the inception of Manus day celebrations in Port Moresby around 2006 thereabouts, I attended the provincial day twice, but solely work related.

I never put any effort to attend Manus Day because I figured it will be a complete waste of my time to roam the stalls, barely catching the cultural dance shows, inaudible speeches that are cranking up and down over poor audio systems, and flu and cold waiting to happen due to exposure to dust, wind and heat.

But all that changed for me about six months ago and I began to see Manus Day in a new light.

I am now even more proud of my people on the Island as I’ve seen unity at play, here are some of these grand stories of how Manus is re-creating herself for the better.

Healthcare

The start of 2018 saw various concerns raised on the shortage of life saving medical equipment at the Lorengau General Hospital.

In March 2018 LORENGAU HOSPITAL FUNDRAISING DRIVE was established to raise K150 000 by May 31 2018 to purchase the medical equipment.

Justice George Sulai Kuyei-Manuhu chaired the drive flanked by Secretary Daylyne Langarap and Treasurer Grace Popot.

The call out was done through social mediums in country and abroad. To say the response is overwhelming is an understatement, it was one of the greatest unified movement ever seen in any fund drive I’ve known.

People belonging to the 12 local level governments (LLG) residing in different provinces and NCD and abroad, sold food, baskets, raffle tickets, personal contributions, hosted cultural events and more to raise monies.

A transparent system was set up, bank statements and deposit listings were uploaded for public scrutiny.

In a space of 3 months, Manusians exceeded the target and doubled to almost K300 000.

This week, Justice Sulai Kuyei-Manuhu and his committee were in Port Moresby to inspect the Electrocadiogram (ECG) worth over K100 000 plus five other medical equipment.

The equipment will be installed at the Lorengau General Hospital by end of August.

The provision and availability of this equipment will translate to less referral out of Lorengau, better health care services for Manusians, screening and early detection of diseases and better informed health care and treatment for patients.

A massive gratitude to Justice Sulai Kuyei-Manuhu. His leadership saw this through.

Here is a beautiful story of how Manusians bought life-saving equipment for themselves.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Politics

In the 2017 elections saw a vibrant, vocal and intelligent young man put his hand up to stand for the regional seat. As a first timer in foreseeably is a big men politics in Manus for eons, George Sikin gained staggering support from Manusians both young and old.

A light weight, fresh into politics, with just about enough for logistical support, George Sikin spoke to the hearts of many Manusians.

Geroge polled 5,992 to 7,371 votes in favour of current governor Charlie Benjamin. A very close call.

His almost-near victory is a clear indication that Manusians now know better- to have a young leadership at the helm.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Mary-Anne Pokawin is a fire brand. A young Manusian who started off in tailoring, to hand crafts then to an awardee of a leadership training in Australia is heading discussions on Tourism in Manus.

Recently, Ms Pokawin have been travelling throughout Manus on a scoping mission for tourism hot spots.

She complements another industrious young man Mark Munguas from the Provincial administration who is hard at work at raising Tourism Industry.

Manus contributes little to national basket, but we’ve contributed the wisdom throughout the years though :-).

The potential in this industry spans from surfing to island hoping, to eco-tourism to adventure to sports-fishery to deep-sea diving to kayaking. Manus has it.

Mary-Anne Pokawin and Mark Munguas have worked hours on the policy with a consultant to raise this.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Community Development

Lynne Shori is part Manus and Australia with a diverse and strong background in community development. She established Wantaim PNG with a mission to work alongside the Manus communities to help improve quality of life in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner.

Some projects delivered to her home village of Rambutso include composite toilets to improve sanitation and hygiene, women business training in floriculture and bakery, community meeting infrastructure and training in furniture making.

She was awarded the Australian Blackmores Changebeing award for her outstanding contribution and leadership, advocacy and education to help girls and women realise their ambitions and potential to help themselves and others.

Manus is a province largely ignored by NGO’s and CBO’s. Notably WCS PNG and The Nature Conservancy work in the Climate Change Adaption space, Lynne complements these programs with her unique, practical and culturally relevant initiatives to improve community living.

Lynne’s story is of grit and and loving devotion to her home.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Media for development

Reilly Pokunan Kanamon is currently the journalist in charge for NBC radio Manus on the Island.

Fresh off journalism school, he headed straight to the Island. His voice on provincial matters is a force unto itself.

For a long time, Manusians waited for intel from home, an intelligent one too.

Riley came forth, challenging Manus Provincial Government, holding them accountable to funding expenditure, reporting corruption and questioning the status quo.

In the last two years, there is greater awareness among Manusians on development challenges and many have contributed intelligently to discussions on development stature of Manus. All this stems from Riley’s reporting.

He has committed himself to raising Manus and to tell the Manus story that many Papua New Guineans know little about.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Manus Youth

Maxiie Jnr MaxSlo Dii Laz (you gents better use your proper names after this are two young men who have headed work on Lorengau town clean up and have rallied youth in Manus to be involved in sports and to steer away from illicit substances.

Manus has a high rate of steam consumption and since the sport for development initiative, many young men and women are now involved in sporting competitions and leading a life free from steam and weed.

It is a far call given low employment opportunities for the many young Manusians but it’s a start.

Earlier on in the year, Maxiie Jnr Max brought the first Manus touch rugby team to compete in Port Moresby for the National Touch Rugby competition.

It was the first ever exposure for many of the team members, but it is a testament of the holistic approach to developing a young person both mentally and physically.

We have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

It is incredibly challenging and indeed confronting to render any effort and commitment to creating change in Manus.

It is one of the most expensive provinces to live in, let alone travel to. Goods and services are limited to locations accessible by road or sea. A politicised leadership, with small portion of budgetary appropriation from the national government and lack of proper provincial plan, it is bloody excruciating.

As I sit here and see the contributions of these individuals and others, it reminded me of Manus culture that built us- Resilience and Commitment to make little of what we got.

You all deserve a standing ovation for continuously executing your passion.

It is ideally for you and other hardworking Manusians that we have a reason to celebrate Manus day.

Wuroh, tangiou!