The Rural Voice, 1988-12, Page 33fund which allows villagers to buy
livestock of their own. Usually they
become interested through the lessons
their children are learning at school.
He is demonstrating the use of grains
as a substitute for expensive imported
chick feed, and the milling of them for
human consumption.
combination of skills: an agricultural
background, some experience with
livestock (ideally sheep), and a history
of community work with local farm or
development organizations.
Archibald reports that he is enjoy-
ing his posting and plans to extend it
for a third year. He lives in Wabag,
"1 came to understand the problems of simple ignorance,
jealousy, water shortage, lack of markets, lack of financial
resources, lack of storage, poor housing and sanitation,
obligations to the family and the community, lack of
transportation, tribal fighting, and a host of other things ..."
The rural highlands have an
intricate and well-balanced garden
economy, and new ideas must be
introduced cautiously to blend with
the old systems. Early in the posting,
Archibald realized that each school
was very different and each commu-
nity had to decide for itself what it
wanted to undertake. Two schools,
for example, decided to concentrate on
sheep and other small livestock suited
to their climate, while another two in
a warmer zone focused on growing
coffee and other vegetables.
Archibald visits the schools
frequently to speak to parents and
answer their questions. During these
meetings, villagers can voice concerns
and give suggestions. "If the people
themselves are given the opportunity
to debate and thoroughly discuss the
ideas, then they will strongly support
them,"he says. "Also, the active in-
volvement of the community ensures
that the knowledge reaches all the
generations at the same time, which I
believe is necessary to shorten the
time span between the introduction of
a new idea and its acceptance by the
community at large."
He also sees the need to integrate
education with other services. He
often takes along a nurse, nutritionist,
or livestock expert on visits to meet
with the students, parents, teachers,
and community leaders.
Already there are plans to extend
the program to other schools in Enga
and CUSO is seeking Canadians to set
up programs in two other provinces,
the Southern and Eastern Highlands.
Like Archibald, they should have a
the provincial capital of about 5,000
people, and says life there is like life
in any small town. Enga is one of the
most underdeveloped parts of PNG,
and roads are bad. Archibald drives a
four-wheel drive vehicle, spending six
to eight hours a day travelling to
different schools, sometimes staying
overnight when the school is distant.
Early in the posting, Archibald
spent time in the villages. "I believe
that this direct contact with the village
people has helped me tremendously to
understand just a few of the problems
that they face and some of the
strengths that sustain them in their
lives," he says.
"1 came to understand that the
traditional forms of agriculture were
very sophisticated and very suitable to
the cooler climate of the populated
parts of Enga and the very steep ter-
rain that they were forced to garden.
I came to understand the problems of
simple ignorance, jealousy, water
shortage, lack of markets, lack of
financial resources, lack of storage,
poor housing and sanitation, obliga-
tions to the family and the community,
lack of transportation, tribal fighting,
and a host of other things that are
fundamental to their lifestyle."
Anyone interested in a posting
such as Don Archibald's is invited to
send a resume to CUSO, 135 Rideau
Street, Ottawa, Ontario, KIN 9K7.
CUSO covers the cost of orientation,
travel, and insurance for its workers
and also provides a generous benefits
package. Salaries are at local rates
and adequate to provide a reasonable
lifestyle. Housing is often provided.0
KEITH SIEMON
FARM SYSTEMS LTD.
Wishing you a
Happy Holiday
Season and a
` prosperous 1989
4
•
R. R. 4, Walton
519-345-2734
(anytime)
Clinton Branch
519-482-7971
Season's
Greetings
and sincere thanks
for your continued
patronage.
Patz [(ism
pamsp o r Hammer & Roller Mills
Flex Augers
SOUTH HURON AGRI-SYSTEMS
R.R.2, Crediton, Ontario NOM 1 MO
Phone Bert 519-234-6403
PRESSURE WASHER
SHO LTD.
Dynablasfi epps
Propane Fired OSI Fired
Energy Efficient
Cleaning Machines
Ontario Pork Industry
Improvement Plan Approved
For FREE Demonstration, Call:
RON
STEMMLER
R.R.1, Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z1
519-669-2150
DECEMBER 1988 31