NEW YEAR LIBRARY

Here’s what we like to see - books donated by Books 4 PNG Kids getting through to schools like remote Tifalmin Primary School in PNG’s far western Sandaun Province - where the sun sets in PNG close to the Irian Jaya border.

Maino Lucas from Star Mountain Education Foundation (SMEF) sent these photos just after Joe Paul delivered the 22 cartons of books from Books 4 PNG Kids to Tifalmin Primary, in Telefomin Rural LLG, Telefomin District.

The cartons contain hundreds of books - a whole library’s worth for the school’s 150 students and a great help for the hardworking teachers - of which there were only two at last official count.

So that’s a lot of students across a wide range of ages for each teacher to teach.

After Books 4 PNG Kids donated the books, SMEF shipped them from Brisbane-Kiunga and delivered them via Tabubil to the school.

Despite the lack of educational resources, students from Tifalmin Primary were among those with top marks who have gone on to High School this year.

The photo with the local dog is one of the most heartening. If you look closely, you will see students with their heads buried in the books.

Even though they’ve probably been told to hold up the books for official photos, they can’t wait to read them!

Tifalmin is in the Star Mountains, 1368m above sea level and close to the source of the Sepik River.

It’s right on the border with Western Province and across the Star Mountains about 30km from Tabubil.

Even though it’s relatively close to Tabubil as the crow flies, and about the same distance west of Telefomin in Sandaun Province, it’s very remote due to the rugged terrain.

A 75km road linking the two provinces was only officially opened last year by PNG Prime Minister James Marape.

Previously, people faced a two-week trek through jungle and across mountains including the imposing Hindenburg Wall to reach Telefomin from Tabubil (and vice versa).