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“MAF is our only ambulance”
Titus Yabua, a passionate health professional dedicated to changing local perceptions of illness and death, explains the challenges of running a remote health post and the importance of MAF’s support.
Story by Michelle Dauth
For the past two and a half years, Titus Yabua, a trained Community Health Worker in Dodomona, has been faithfully serving his people.
Growing up in Dodomona, nestled in the northeast corner of the Middle Fly District of Papua New Guinea’s Western Province, Titus witnessed many in his community losing their lives to treatable illnesses and injuries. This deeply fueled his passion to become a doctor. However, due to limited resources, he could only train as a community health worker.
Titus believes God has placed him in his community for a purpose.
“Sometimes I used to question why. Why were we placed in such a community where we don’t have road access, and we are less privileged? But when I understand God, God doesn’t make mistakes. He knows the reason why He placed us in such a remote area,” he said.
He explained how through his work the perception of sickness and death among his community has significantly changed. For Titus, simply treating patients or referring them to a hospital is not enough; he literally went the extra mile.
“We had to go village by village to give them a course or something like a workshop,” he said. “So, we have educated our own people, to understand that diseases are not caused by sorcery, sanguma, witchcraft or whatever.”
Sanguma is a term used in Papua New Guinea for sorcery or witchcraft. Unexplained illnesses, deaths, or disasters are often attributed to sanguma, leading to accusations against those believed to practice it. These accusations can result in violence, ostracism, or even death.
Titus went on to say that people now “know very well that when someone has a cough for like more than two months, they are already predicting that it is maybe tuberculosis because I have taught them.”
He also highlighted the difficulty of dealing with patients in critical condition as it takes several hours or days by foot to reach the nearest health station or hospital respectively.
“As a rural health worker, I would say MAF is our only ambulance…our only hope,” he said. “We work according to our limits, and when we see we couldn’t handle the cases, we look for help. And that’s when MAF steps in and they help us.”
Acknowledging the support MAF provides, he shared how significant the flights are to his work in Dodomona. Knowing the limitations of the Dodomona health facility and his own, he made the wise decision calling for a patient transfer flight for an expecting mother.
“We had a mother. She was pregnant, and she had some signs where I thought I would refer her here [from Dodomona to Mougulu]. From Mougulu the problem got worse. So, we arranged MAF [for a medical evacuation]. MAF helped us to refer her down to Tabubil. We really appreciate the service that is provided by MAF PNG.”
As the New Year started, Titus is looking forward to furthering his medical knowledge and career, having just been accepted into the Rumginae School of Nursing, so that when he returns to his community, he will be able to provide even better medical care for his people.
An unexpected shortcut
Instead of half a day’s hike, Justin Petrus, a High School Teacher working at the new Eliptamin Junior High School, could get to Telefomin in less than 10 minutes.
Story by mandy glass
With an unexpected diversion of one of our aircraft heading towards Telefomin but needing to wait out the weather and therefore landing at Eliptamin, Justin could save half a day’s walk and instead fly to Telefomin in under 10 minutes! Flying comfortably across the mountain ridge instead of walking in today’s rather cold and misty rainy weather on slippery surface.
“I came on the plane in less than 10 minute which was an interesting moment for me, and I thank MAF for bringing me safe here. I decided to come up over the weekend, and at the same time we closed the school the plane came. That was a good thing,” he said after landing at Telefomin.
Justin is a graduate from the Oksapmin Highschool at Tekin. Back in 2014, he received his graduation certificate from MAF pilot Mathias who today was his unexpected “shortcut” to Telefomin.
Justin graduated from Goroka University as a teacher a few years ago. A huge part in choosing his career played his back then Science and English teacher Glenda Giles. “When I graduated from university of Goroka I had the chance to teach with her again in 2021 and 2022,” he said with a bright smile.
Justin needed to go to the Telefomin Secondary School as the Eliptamin Junior Highschool is just getting started and lacking equipment, like a functioning printer. “I decided to come up to Telefomin to do some paperwork for our students and school activities,” he said.
It was just one of those unexpected moments for Mathias and I, when your past meets the present. To again cross paths with people who pursue their dreams and learn from their teachers and mentors to then teach and inspire the next generation is so encouraging for us.
Justin’s eyes were beaming when he introduced himself to us, mentioning the 2014 graduation at Tekin where we were the guest of honours, and as he shared about his journey of becoming a teacher with the chance to be mentored as a new teacher graduate by his very own high school teacher Glenda Giles.
MAF plays a huge role supporting the Oksapmin Highschool at Tekin, from when it was established in 2007 until today, flying educational material, food supplies for the boarding students and teachers as well as educational professionals and students in and out of this remote village, tugged away in the remote Min area of Sandaun Province. People like Justin could not be the people and professionals they are if it wasn’t for MAF providing air services to rural communities.
Bringing help across the mountains – by foot and by plane
Benard Nohsarin, a dedicated pastor from Oksapmin, shares the challenge of taking his church’s spiritual and physical services across a dynamic landscape.
Story by mandy glass
Pastor Benard came to Telefomin for the Min Baptist Union Executive Meeting but couldn’t get there in time. “I was late, and they briefed me on the meeting and went with me through the minutes last night,” he shared.
His account reflects the challenges of transportation in remote areas, emphasizing the requirement to walk considerable distances. Oksapmin is about 70km away from Telefomin, but there isn’t a road connecting the two through the Victor Emmanuel Range. Facing dense forests and steep mountains, his only option was to fly with MAF.
The Min Baptist Union ministry works through physical and spiritual services. Pastor Benard explained this dual focus. “We have two focus areas within the Min Baptist Union where we operate, which are physical services like education services, health services, and nutrition services,” he said. This highlights the comprehensive approach adopted by the Baptist Union to address the holistic needs of the community.
Pastor Benard also notes the prevalence of the Baptist Church in the Min area. “It looks like the Baptist Church dominates in the Min area. We have Baptist dominated areas, which equals about 70 to 85% of the population,” he added. This large presence highlights the significant influence of the Baptist Church in shaping the religious landscape of the region.
Pastor Benard points out the challenges faced by church workers in covering the vast area. “There’s no transportation for the church workers to go out doing their work,” said Pastor Benard.
Pastor Benard Nohsarin’s story provides a glimpse into the challenges faced by the church in Papua New Guinea, particularly in remote regions like Telefomin. The Baptist Church plays a vital role in shaping the spiritual landscape, but it is the partnership with MAF that helps the church to overcome isolation.
Pastor Benard is grateful to MAF for providing essential air services to link remote communities. “We are very thankful for MAF providing the aircraft to serve us,” he said.
He explained that transportation by MAF has been aiding the delivery services to remote areas since the arrival of Baptist missionaries in the mid-20th century until current day.
Enjoy watching his interview below.
Young Man Funds Brothers’ Education
A 21-year-old from Mougulu in PNG’s Western Province has not only paid for his own school fees, but also the classes of three of his brothers by using MAF freight flights to support his dream.
Story by MATT PAINTER
Otty Sasy is a pioneer of his generation. Not only is he a member of the inaugural grade 12 from the Mougulu Secondary School founded in 2020, but he stands out in self-funding his secondary education.
“Back in 2018 I looked after a pig and sold it for 800 Kina,” Otty explains. “I gave 300 Kina to my mum, and I used 500 Kina to start up my small canteen.
“I walked all the way from Mougulu to Tari to buy stock, and then carried it from Tari back to Mougulu.
“I would cook some sweet potato and banana, put them in the bag and start travelling at three in the morning. I’d sleep two nights in the bush, the first at Dodomona and the second night in the middle of the bush near Mount Sisa, in a small house made of bark – just a roof only. The roof would leak, and it was hard to sleep. There was no mattress, we just slept on the ground.”
The enterprising 21-year-old now brings in 400-700kg of cargo at a time, which arrives at Mougulu by MAF plane from Tari in 20 minutes. He relies on MAF for this cargo, with support and guidance from missionary Sally Lloyd, who runs the only other store in Mougulu for school fundraising.
“When the plane carries my cargo from Tari, I’m so happy. The difference is—when I would walk from Tari, I would get into trouble on the way. There would be roadblocks due to tribal fights,” he said. “And when I would walk, I would get sick, or thorns would poke into the sole of my feet, I would feel unwell and get sick on the way, when carrying all the heavy items.
“But when the plane carries my cargo, when MAF helps me carry my cargo, it’s all right. I feel like it’s helpful and supportive and it’s good. I rejoice in that.”
Before finding a solution with MAF, Otty would journey with three or four of his brothers, making the arduous trek each term break. The final 45-minute portion of the three-day journey to Tari would be travelled by bus.
“At Tari we would buy lighters, torches, batteries, clothes, lollies and biscuits, that kind of thing—and sprays and perfumes for the ladies,” he said. “People want to buy clothes because there is no big store for the students. I would just buy lightweight things because tinned fish and sugar were too heavy for me to carry. I carried the things in a bilum (traditional string bag) or handbag – 20 or 15 kilograms.
“Within three years I started to make a profit out of that 500 Kina. I then talked to Herebe Udaga, the MAF Senior Traffic Officer in Tari, and he said, ‘It’s all right, I will try to assist you with your cargo and fly it down to Mougulu’.”
With profits from the canteen, Otty helps his younger brothers by paying their school fees, and for his own.
“When I finish school, my aim is to get an offer to study in university and become an economist. I love maths,” he said.
“For university fees I will try and see what money I have in my pocket. I will try help myself to pay my school fees for the first year and try and see if it is possible.
“God helps me when I pray. God is the provider of everything. He supports me through my journey. Now I’ll be able to graduate for my final year. God is Lord and He will help me, guide me. It’s painful, and it’s a struggle, but as I go, He helps me and protects me, through prayer. He feels how I’m feeling and answers in response to how I feel.”
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