I sometimes ponder for hours trying to imagine the most positive and fair description of life that is fair and true for both the Western cultures and the PNG way of life. I began to realise that I am towed between two imaginary forces each having different perspectives of how life should be. The two have been running parallel with their standards and beliefs but the poor citizens are subject to either confusions or uncertainty on which path to take. These are the marginalised lot of people ussually pin pointed as problematic subjects within a system. Today I will try my utmost best to answer one of Papua New Guineans’ controversial questions which they believe that they are wrongly branded.
Question 1: PNG is branded to be in extreme poverty with daily earning of $1.25/ day.
My answer is NO as a Papua New Guinean (Could be yes if PNG was a state in U.S or Australia).
As a Papua New Guinean I will define poverty as lacking essential human needs such as clean water, shelter and food. Next to these would be proper health and education systems. Papua New Guinean's fresh waters were as clean and pure for consumption until pollution was introduced into our forests and atmosphere. 82 % of our people in rural areas have standard shelter to reside and sufficient meal to fend themselves. Hence I don’t believe we are destitutes as Papua New Guineans but might be destitutes if we classify ourselves as Westerners.
The $1.25/day equivalent to K3.47…? Is it true in my view as Papua New Guinean?? NO!. I come from an isolated part of Milne Bay but people eat three meals a day and feed the surplus to the animals like dogs and pigs. Fruits such as mangos, pawpaws and ripe bananas are left to the bats and birds. They share surplus food freely and accommodate visitors with out charge in their homes. Now value all that and prove to me if its below $1.25? Formal education and health definitely need cash but if I was left in my former way of life, will these things become neccesity to me?
Well lets balance it then you may have your own conclusions. To the Westerners you have influence our way of life and converted us to be like you. Walk by ourside that we may journey together rather then towing us and branding us according to your standards or pace.
To fellow Papua New Guineans there is no excuse to be poor, we have chosen to be part of the global community and is the fact that can not be cried over lest we die. Our problem is lack of western knowledge to convert our resources into money. PNGians are great fisherman, its time we learn to get the coin out of the fish..
Cheers..and thank you for reading..
