Peggy McNamara
Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea
I was rather enthused re implementation of a school periodical ‘The Bosconian Voice’; I was also able to take on the responsibility of organizing and chaperoning dances held on the schools grounds. Needless to say, enrollment in a computer skills course offers prospects of considerable esteem in many countries the world over really….however, electricity sources being sporadic at best in the highlands of Papua New Guinea meant that my students became rather well versed in the knowledge of ‘home row’, “a-s-d-f-k- l-;” . When electricity was out, they could spend class time familiarizing themselves with the keyboard….!
Hometown: Ballston Lake, NY
Education/Work: BA Sociology/ Fine Arts minor: Niagara University
Time in Papua New Guinea: Arrived Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea- 4/’00 until 9/’01
Fellow Volunteers/ SLM’s: the majority of teaching staff were missioners from the Philippians…..Several local teachers were on staff as well as one Australian Volunteer on an Australian ‘Peace Corps’ type of program…
Living Arrangements: each foreign instructor took residence in one of two raised ranches, located on the schools campus, by the rectory, in a ‘studio’ apartment… I had a fridge, gas range and a private bath.
Teaching: the entire education system in PNG is in English… school is provided by the government until grade 10 and upon completion of grade 10, you either qualify for a government sponsored education program, or if you’d like to continue your education as a ‘grade 10 leaver’, you may do so @ a privately sponsored ‘trade school’. The Don Bosco school I worked @ was a ‘trade’ school such as this…
First Year: the first class of female students to be enrolled @ Don Bosco, Kumgi were my ‘charges’…I instructed them in Office & Computer Skills. I also instructed the 3rd year male students in English (not as a second language, but grammar, literature comprehension and oratory skills…)
Second Year: I was able to see a second year of girls enrolled @ the school…, continuing my composition of a syllabus for an ‘office automation’ program @the school.
Other Activities/Responsibilities: I was rather enthused re implementation of a school periodical ‘The Bosconian Voice’; I was also able to take on the responsibility of organizing and chaperoning dances held on the schools grounds.
Classroom Adventures: Needless to say, enrollment in a computer skills course offers prospects of considerable esteem in many countries the world over really….however, electricity sources being sporadic at best in the highlands of Papua New Guinea meant that my students became rather well versed in the knowledge of ‘home row’, "a-s-d-f-k- l-;" . When electricity was out, they could spend class time familiarizing themselves with the keyboard….!
