After meticulously packing and securing two 40ft containers at Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE), I found myself overcome with emotion. These containers, filled to the brim with invaluable educational resources, were destined for Nondugul in Jiwaka Province and Nipa Kutubu in Southern Highlands Province. The significance of this mission brought me to tears—tears that were both sweet and bitter. Sweet, because of the tremendous potential these resources hold for the communities; bitter, because I had yet to secure the funds necessary to cover the costs associated with transporting the Nipa Kutubu container.
Determined to see this mission through, I decided to travel to Papua New Guinea at my own expense. I took two days’ leave from work, setting out on a journey that was guided by faith, with no accommodation or transportation secured upon arrival. As a Christian, I trusted that God would provide a way, and providence met me even before I left Australia.
At Brisbane Airport, I coincidentally encountered the Managing Director of Trans Wonderland (TWL), a local truck and logistics company in PNG. Seizing the opportunity, I shared with him the details of my trip and the purpose of my visit. I also sent him photos of the two containers. His immediate response was both surprising and heartening. He asked, “Dickson, is the container we delivered still on its way?” I explained that the containers were at the Brisbane wharf, en route to the Highlands of PNG.
He then provided me with the postal and email addresses of the General Manager of TWL's Truck and Logistics division, instructing me to formally write to the company, copying him in the correspondence. Our brief chat about Rotary’s work in communities piqued his interest, and I felt a renewed sense of hope.
Upon arriving in PNG on Wednesday, I sent the letter to the General Manager of TWL, with a copy to the CEO. Their response was nothing short of a blessing. TWL offered to handle the clearance and delivery of the two containers free of charge. They only requested the delivery location, contact details, and the necessary documentation, which Dr. Phil Saxby, Mr. John Paskin, and I promptly provided.
In the meantime, I coordinated with Mr. Andrias Okun, a member of the Rotary Club of Nondugul, to manage the logistics for the container destined for Jiwaka. For the Nipa Kutubu container, I consulted with the District Education Advisor, who has an in-depth understanding of the schools' conditions in the region.
During my visit, I also followed up with the Secretary for the Department of ICT regarding the donation of Starlink units. The Secretary had previously committed to donating a Starlink for every school where Rotary establishes a computer lab. This meeting was crucial in advancing our efforts to bridge the digital divide in these remote areas.
I also met with Ms. Sharon Woruba, the Sustainable Development Management Associate at Swire Shipping, who had played a pivotal role in securing free shipping for us. Our discussion centered on how we could best collaborate to move educational and medical resources to PNG, under the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rotary. With Sharon’s recommendation and the support of Dr. Phil Saxby, I am now considering establishing a charity organization in PNG. This organization would aim to benefit from free logistics and shipping in the future, ensuring sustained support for our projects. This is a work in progress, but it holds great promise for expanding our impact.
Throughout the day, I had the privilege of meeting with several government ministers who are familiar with my work with the Rotary Club of Brisbane. Their support and encouragement reinforced the importance of our mission.
One particularly heartwarming encounter was with the recipient of our last donation, who had initially offered to cover the cost of transporting the containers from Lae to Nipa Kutubu. When I informed him that TWL would handle it free of charge, he expressed profound gratitude to the Rotary Club of Brisbane and RARE for their continued generosity.
In a touching twist, I also met a local from Mt. Bossave, a remote area with no modern infrastructure. He was airfreighting building materials to construct a library and computer labs. The donations we sent in 2021 had finally reached this isolated community in 2024, and they are now preparing to establish a junior high school. We plan to equip their library with books from the current shipment and set up a computer lab, marking a significant milestone in their educational journey.
Thanks to the generous support of TWL, I was spared the need to seek additional funding for the clearance and transportation of the containers, allowing me to focus on furthering our mission.
In a final stroke of luck, the son of the Prime Minister of PNG, who occasionally volunteers at RARE, informed his father, Hon. James Marape, of my visit. The Prime Minister graciously made time to meet with me. I had the distinct honor of discussing our Rotary projects during a car ride to his residence, a conversation that further solidified the impact of our work.
This journey has been a humbling and deeply fulfilling experience. From meeting people on the streets to sitting with the Prime Minister, it has been an incredible honor to serve the people of Papua New Guinea through Rotary. Each encounter has reaffirmed my commitment to this vital work, and I am ever grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.
