Graduation

This is a private school and is only about 5 years old. They have up to 5th grade now, and try to add another grade each year. But, they're short on teachers and money, but they're doing well in spite of that. There is a big realization that education is really important and the staff is doing all they can to keep things going. This speaker drove 5 or 6 hours just to speak. He is the director the the Christian Integrated Schools in PNG. It was an honor to have him come from so far away. He stressed the importance, not only of staying in school, but learning English in order to compete in the new world that is invading PNG.

They look like they're scowling, but I don't really think they are. The sun, which is 'high noon' all day, was hot and in their eyes.

We, Donna, Loma and myself, were sitting behind these youngest students and I couldn't help but take their picture. They sat attentively for 2 hours with very little squiriming. We were all impressed. If you look closely, you can see the graduates received a silver garland necklace by some underclassmen during a ceremony to honor them as a class.

A great deal of effort went into decorating for the graduation. There are tropical flowers galore, arms of bananas amongst the glittering tassles.