Why aren't we helping to build water systems, facilitate entrepreneurship, or lead women's empowerment programs? Good question. The answer is that in a way, we are.
Education has been credited as the single most effective means of improving living standards in the developing world. Education enables the engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow.
Moreover, Panango was founded with the intention of seeking and addressing development needs as identified by Papua New Guinean communities themselves; the need identified most by governors, parents, children, and the ambassador himself was English education.
English literacy is absolutely necessary to Papua New Guinea's development because business, government, and education are all conducted in English despite the overwhelming preference for the over-850 traditional languages or the nation's lingua franca, tok pisin, or Melanesian Pidgin, in everyday use.
From this linguistic medley emerges a fundamental problem: all standardized tests are given in English, but lacking English education and reinforcement prohibits 50% of students from matriculating from eighth grade to high school. In Madang Province, averages on the statewide Grade 8 matriculation exam have fallen so low the government now issues passing grades for scores as low as 35%, perpetuating the problem.
Papua New Guinea is at a pivotal juncture in its history. As a developing country, change is constant and rapid. Just last year on Karkar-- an island without electricity, running water, or a developed transportation system-- a cell phone company built towers to provide the first mobile coverage on the island. This rapid change is an incredible opportunity for us to work with communities to aid them in development that is informed and sustainable. We believe, as the children and schools in Papua New Guinea believe, that the most important avenue toward these goals is education. As one high school girl said to us, "We value our education. Because most people never have the chance to learn, we feel blessed, and work very hard to continue." The enthusiasm, motivation, and intelligence of Papua New Guinean students and teachers is incredible and palpable at all levels, from the elementary schools to University of Papua New Guinea.
We, as American college students, are in a unique place to improve English literacy in PNG. Mentored by local teachers in the classroom, we are able to share our English expertise with students of all ages without the formal training of TEFL teachers. And with the gracious hospitality of local families and villages, we also become agents of cultural exchange.