On going back home to the Western Province

MARTYN NAMORONG

Even by his own standards of gritty engagement and willful confrontation, Martyn Namorong has had a topsy turvy 2012 – from mixing it with the Australian media and political elite in his highly successful 'Take the Truth to Australia' tour to more recently being hunted off the streets of Moresby by anti-buai Nazis. So now he’s on his way home to the Fly Delta and I know he travels with the good wishes of admiring PNG Attitude readers who have enjoyed and been provoked by his great insights into the PNG condition. We trust this is not exile but an opportunity to observe, analyse, write, flourish and recapture energy in an environment that will dilute those dark forces that assail him from time to time - KJ

I AM RETURNING TO MY HOME PROVINCE. I came to Port Moresby in 2002, that's a decade ago, and did Grade 9 at Port Moresby Grammar School.

I continued to Grade 11 at Jubilee Catholic Secondary School and went to do foundation science at the University of Papua New Guinea in 2006.

I was fortunate to continue to medical school but dropped out in 2009. Since 2009 life in Port Moresby has had various twists and turns. Selling betelnut (a public health hazard) and writing kickass blogs (a political hazard) has got me to places I could never have imagined.

But even with the limelight of international recognition, there has been the dark side of living everyday life in Port Moresby.

As many of you may be aware, I have been clinically depressed these past few years.

I know that the depression has been caused by the struggles of everyday life. Many city residents will also note that lately there has been a major crackdown on buai sellers like me.

The prevailing circumstances have made life in the city quite untenable, so I've decided to move on. I'm going back home to the Western Province.

I guess that's what PNG’s middle class would like to see happen to all the 'unemployed' squatter settlers.

In some respects I am disappointed but one has to be pragmatic about life. Life as an idealist has actually been quite painful. Ultimately though, I've realized that there is only so much others can do to help, and the harsh reality is that we all have to fend for ourselves in order to survive.

It is this everyday struggle of life that breaks the human soul at a certain point. For some people, alcoholism, raskolism or suicide are seen as a way out. For others, adaptation is needed to ensure that they survive.

Whilst I have not been a huge fan of social Darwinism, it is a practical reality to a certain extent. Unfortunately, I have had to adapt in order to survive the prevailing circumstances.

I have certainly enjoyed being part of the national discourse and have hopefully inspired a few Papua New Guineans to be independent thinkers.

I look forward to heading back to my home province and lead a more private life. I know I have a lot to offer back home as well.

Western Province has the second lowest standard of education in the country. It also has the highest prevalence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB). Government services are non existent in some areas and the large complex geographical area presents enormous logistical challenges.

But the current political climate in the province also presents opportunities for constructive dialogue amongst all stakeholders for a way forward. I hope to join the development discourse when I go back home.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive of my blogging efforts. I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Yours in service to humanity....

Comments

[Steven Ilave(Snr)]

Thanks young man, you challenge status quo in a radical yet informed rational way and that is inspiring for other youngsters around you. Even lapuns like me, who have been messing about in the "development corridors" for a while you give the menu, reason and inspiration to reflect. Look up Wugtungum when you get home. He has an open mind. !

[Trevor Freestone.]

Martyn, I wish you all the very best and thank you for your words of wisdom over the last few years.

I have noticed so many more Papua New Guineans becoming involved in social media and this is largely due to your inspirational writings.

Returning to one's traditional home can be very challenging especially when that home is in a remote area of the Western District or Sepik region.

Even my short visit to my wife's village made me aware of many of the problems facing the older generation.

Traditionally the elderly were cared for by the younger members of the family but in modern times as the younger generation leave home to obtain work or an education the elderly find life even more difficult and there is a real need for the government to ensure services for them is improved.

I am sure you will be welcomed with open arms and knowing you, you will continue to fight for the improvement of life at village level. Please keep us posted.

[Fiona Hukula]

All the best Martyn. You are a resilient young man. I look forward to reading about your new adventures in your beloved homeland. Lukautim yu yet.

[David Kitchnoge]

Martyn - I had the privilege to visit Obo in the Middle Fly sometime back and fell in love with the natural beauty of the place.

I sincerely hope that you would continue to write about your beautiful province and your wonderful, peaceful people and bring some much needed health and education services to your people.

The vast Western province stole my heart when I visited. Perhaps I might visit again in future as a lokol turis and I might be lucky to catch you there for a good yarn.

Go well my man!

[Meldy Wasuak]

You make a positive choice, your province needs someone like you.

[Lynne Shirley]

Martyn, Martyn what a wonderful human being you are. You have touched the hearts of so many people in PNG and Australia.Our country would be better off with more men like you. May mother nature guide you in your new chapter of your life.

[Tim Ashton]

Western Province, POM or Canberra.
You will make your mark where ever you lie down to sleep.
Just keep writing. Your input is too valuable to lose
Tim

[Gabriel Ramoi]

Western Province with a population of 190,000 plus people need clean drinking water along the fly river system, Its people require better housing and electricty. With OK TEDI now 100% PNG owned it is not out of reach to call on all leaders of Western Province to demand this basic services from OTML and the PNG Government. I hope all the Best for you and your people.

[Michelle Rooney]

Hi Martyn, ask those close to me and they will tell you that your writing muddles me up for hours!

Your skill is your ability to make your readers react, think and self reflect. There are days I read an article and I ask "Where the heck is Martyn to respond to this?"

Your honesty, willingness and capacity to say things as they are is commendable. You are one of the few in PNG's recent history who have boldy led us through the most recent transformations - social media and a willingness to come and talk openly.

Thank you for being open about depression in Port Moresby and PNG. I often wonder why development efforts do not focus more on mental health.

Anyone who has lived in Port Moresby or parts of PNG for a sustained period will know what you are saying so you are not alone.

Best of luck with your move which is only the opening to a new chapter. Whatever you do, take your laptop, and do not give up writing - we need you!

[Lapieh Landu]

Take care Martyn, God Speed :)

[Chalapi Pomat]

Always an avid reader of your writing, which is always inspiring, insightful and well researched. For a number-crunching engineer like me, writing has not been my strongest point.

I hope that you can find time to continue writing from your home. I certainly love my home (Pere Village, Manus) and I can perfectly relate and understand your situation at this time.

Your article on deep sea mining heightened my desire and passion to carry on with it so that something positive is done about it in terms of stopping it happening for good.

Similarly with submarine tailing disposal systems, which may potentially be happening in Manus in the not so distant future.

Please keep your heads high because your talent has inspired many.

[Robert]

All the best Martyn! A bold and courageous move.
Just make sure you got internet wherever you go.

[Kevin O'Regan]

Martyn, you take care. We will miss your constructive articles, so please take your laptop and keep in touch.

Keep us posted on the escalation of TB in WP.

[Mrs Barbara Short]

Dear Martyn, take care, TB, especially MDRTB, is a nasty disease.

It is great to hear that you are going back to your "grassroots". I'm sure you now have a lot of wisdom to share with your wantoks and others.

You are probably following a path less travelled, but if you can discover the way to a better future by returning home then that will be something to share with us all. I certainly love my home.

I hope you will still be able to write about your life experiences and share them with us.

God bless you.

[Jeff Febi]

Wish you success and even more of God's wonderful blessings. Much love brother!