WAIF AND STRAY

31st May 2010

Well, we've nearly made it, but not quite yet - still a few speeches to go!It was quite a shock to realise that as from Wednesday, until the first week in August, we shall be homeless, wandering the continents for two months!But what a send off we have had.

It all began on Saturday morning when the Chair of the Organising committee rolled up to our door and asked if we would like to take a photo of the pig about to be slaughtered!We had bought an enormous pig which was to feed the school community.We duly went to the slaughter ground and took photos not only of our big pig, but the one which was to feed the staff too.The women were all peeling veg and the pit had been dug, but oh dear me, it had rained all night, so there was a problem because there was nothing to get the fire going.I scuttled off to find some newspapers, glad to escape witnessing the slaughter.John took over a whole pile of newspapers to start the fire, but one of the security guards grabbed them and made off!They use newspaper to roll cigarettes!Eventually, the fire was started and the deed done.

We had received a formal invitation from the 'Organising Committee' earlier in the day, needless to say the inside was upside down but hey ho!The celebrations were to start at 12noon with a procession up to the newly built hall and the order of speeches and gift giving etc was all laid out.This was to be followed by John and I witnessing food being given to the community and then there was food for us and invited guests.The lack of combustible materials set the timetable back by a couple of hours.The VSO team arrived at our house at 12 noon as instructed.We waited, and waited and waited - at 3pm the ceremony began!!The time had changed and the venue had changed, but no-one seemed the least bit phased.

Nevertheless, 7 speeches later, all was well - the food was cold, but then it always is!We received 5 bilums, a bible and the Ten Commandments in Tok Pisin from the bishop.John received two shirts in Simbu flag colours and I received as well as a shirt, a delightful dress called a 'meri dress'. Say no more! We both received a hat each, which were ceremoniously plonked on our heads and we looked utterly ridiculous. The poor pigs were roasted to perfection, and were enjoyed by the assembled guests, that's if you didn't mind bloody meat!

We have said 'goodbye ' to the students and presented them with some audio visual equipment and library books, courtesy of the Rotary in Ellesmere.Then we attended a lunch, hosted by the head teachers in the province.Lots of speeches and tears of course, these fierce people are very emotional and cold, foul food as is the norm.However, lots of lovely sentiments expressed and we felt very honoured.One of the presents we received was a huge ceremonial spear from the Division of Education.How we're going to get it into the country without being arrested as suspected terrorists is a conundrum!

We are sad to leave of course, so many lovely people and so much work to be done, but we really can't wait to be reunited with family and friends once again, so we'll now leave the work to others, though there aren't many of those, as recruitment is very poor.

Thank you to those of you who have emailed us during our time here.It has been a great source of encouragement and we have appreciated every contact from UK.We look forward to catching up with you all very soon - we get back to UK on 5th August.

Til then, enjoy the summer and we hope it is a good one.

Much love from the Waif and Stray

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