Little Sebastian stepped forward; picked up my hand; and shook it vigorously. In perfect English, he told me his name; said he and his brother, Jude, lived in a nearby village and walked thru jungle tracks 1.5 hrs each day to get to school [swinging their machetes to clear the path]. His mother could afford to send only the boys to school and his sisters stayed home to help mum. When he grew up his plan was to join the PNG army and Jude wanted to become a priest.
He put his small hand in his pocket and said; “I’d like to share my lunch with you. Mum usually gives me two peanuts but today she had only one”.
I wiped away a tear while he returned to his classroom.
Our local school replaced their desks and chairs and these were now superfluous to their needs in Australia. They’ve gone to Sebastian’s school in a remote area inland from Lae.
If you know of any pre-loved school desks, please contact us and you too can help a school in PNG.