The day I met the Governor…

PNG is definitely the “Land of the Unexpected” !

I made a decision this week to “fire” my housekeeper – Rondi. Since starting a relationship with Eli there has been a gradual build up of tension – not only between the two of them but also within my mind. It was almost like having two wives. Both protective of me. I will never forget the 1st time the two of them met – I knew it was very difficult for both of them as I had sat down and spoken to both of them seperately before the actual meeting. Last week when my spare keys went missing and I was later to find out that Rondi had taken them (accidentially) – I knew it was time to resolve the situation of tension otherwise there would have been a good chance that my friendship with Rondi and her family would collapse.

The fact is that Rondi's family have been very good to me over the past 14 months so I came to the decision Thursday afternoon that I would end the employer/employee relationship but that the friendship would remain.

So I invited Rondi and her daughter Maree over to my home on early Thursday evening to deliver the news. Out of all the shit that went down in the past week this was literally the most difficult for me. I knew that the situation needed to be handled in a way that was not going to destroy the friendship as well. I was even more aware of the social obligation principle that clans operate by in PNG – I had become like part of there family. In hindsight – it was my mistake to even entertain the idea of having a friendship with an employee and her family. In summary the meeting did go well and whilst we no longer have a boss/haus meri relationship and Rondi no longer has a job – we managed to stay friends. A “severance package” was agreed to the satisfaction of both parties.

So I headed into town this morning with Eli to purchase Rondi's “severance package” which included the following items:

1) A large aliminium cooking pot.
2) 5 kg of wholemeal flour.
3) 2 ltr of cooking oil.
4) 1 kg sugar.
5) 500 gm of yeast

Total cost approximately : approx K50 (say AU$20). These items will allow Rondi to generate an income for her and her family. She will start making “flour balls” (dumplings) and
sell them at the local markets. This will also generate an income which her family so desperately needs as they are at the poor end of the scale of Lae city dwellers.

I need to move this story along as Business Studies is playing there 1st match with jerseys in about 20 mins and I want to be there to watch them play (and win).

During our visit into town Eli we stopped into the Melanesian for a coffee before heading back to campus. Guess who was sitting a few tables away from us ? The Governor of Morobe Provine : Luther Wenge. I had seen the man a couple of times at the Lae Int but never had met or shaken the mans hand. I sat there and decided that today would be the day. So just after paying the bill I wandered over to his table and I said…

Excuse Mr Wenge – my name is Robert and I am a volunteer on a two year assignment in your country I have decided to shake your hand on at least one ocassion during my stay in PNG. Mr Wenge – this morning might be the only opportunity I get. So we shook hands. We locked eyes. And I said – I am not here to ask or complain about anything – I just want your shake your hand and wish you a peaceful day. We chatted a little more and the encounter brought a smile to both our faces. It was a nice exchange. The pollies get terribly knocked by the media in PNG and I sensed in Mr Wenge strength and charisma but also I saw a man burdened by the responsibilities of his office. If anything came out of our encounter I think that “load” was just lightened for a few moments for the Governor. For me… the moment was definitely precious as it has proven to me once yet again that:

In PNG : always expect the Unexpected !!!