Meet Josephine, 17 from Tanzania
“I want to go on to Forms 5/6 and then University. I want to be an electrical engineer. I also will want to marry and have children at some point but I’m not interested in boy friends right now.
I’m very happy to be here at school but there are problems with overcrowded classrooms. The big problems are no class books, no computers and one of my biggest wishes is for our school library. We have a very nice library building but no books.
Young people here like music, sports and dancing but they often have so much work to do that they don’t really have time for relaxation. I would like to play football but we only have a boys’ team here at school – I play football at home. Mostly life at home is work –housework, cleaning, washing, cooking and farm work – no time for any reading (the farm includes three hectares of maize, beans and coffee). I would like to know about someone like me in New Zealand, someone living in a boarding secondary school. And I’d like to know about the sports they play.
The most important thing in life is education. If people were better educated then they would use the money they have more wisely.”
Josephine’s story
Anne Palframan teaches English as a VSA volunteer at Josephine’s school in Tanzania, not far from Mt Kilimanjaro.
She says:
Teachers know that classes all over the world are composed of ‘types’ – the looking out of the window type, still getting books out after 5 minutes of the lesson type, whispering to your friend type, glazed look type – I could go on. Josephine was the ‘total concentration /eye contact with the teacher’ type. She is now in a class of 72 where most students have to share a desk. There wouldn’t be room for 72 desks anyway. This is not new to her – in her primary school there were not enough chairs and she said they took wood in to make a bench, balancing a plank on two pieces of wood. She was amazed by the few things I could tell her about young people in New Zealand.
Josephine is in Form Two (year 8) at Irkisongo school so is one of the older pupils. This, I found out, was because she had three years out of primary school because of lack of money for school fees and then had to repeat standard five before continuing. Daily life at school for her in the hostel is one of too many people – four to a two-tiered bunk. She does not use a mosquito net to protect her from malaria, as it is difficult to sleep two to a narrow bed with a net unless it is properly hung from a frame – no money for that. She says the food is adequate – maize porridge in the morning, tea at break, ugali and dried beans for lunch and makande and dried beans for supper.
Find out more about Tanzania. Visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1072330.stm
Meet Philip, 19, from Bougainville
“I think education is very important. I see some young students who don’t understand this; some of them think that school is a holiday camp. Without education, there won’t be improvement of life and living standards. I am now the only one of my 11 siblings to finish Grade 12.
Maintaining a good relationship with other countries is very important. New Zealand has helped us a lot in the past to show us their friendship. And with peace, friendship and God’s blessing, we can start looking forward to the future.”
Philip’s story
Cecille Lee was a Youth Counsellor in Bougainville during her time as a VSA volunteer. Bougainville is a country that until quite recently was involved in a ten year civil war.
She says:
“Philip is only a few years younger than me but since I am his teacher, he treats me with the utmost respect he reserves for elders. We chat in pidgin and Philip speaks softly; in the two years I have known and worked with Philip, I am yet to hear him raise his voice.
Philip is about to finish his Grade 12 year where has been a prefect in charge of school mess. Ensuring that 600 hungry young students get three meals a day is not an easy task. Bougainville schools have limited resources and it is not uncommon for students to miss out on food. The fact that Hutjena School has delivered regular and adequate meals to students for past three years is an achievement.
In the epicentre is Philip, who works from 5 to 9 every day, while carefully organising his tasks, motivating other students and exercising delicate diplomacy to ensure everyone gets their fair share.
On top of all his extra work, he manages to top the school in his academic study. He is a trusted, dependable and inspiring leader.
Here’s the story he told Cecille…
“I was born in 1979 as the eighth of 11 siblings. My mother is from Boku and my father from the West Coast of Bougainville mainland.
One September morning in 1989 when I was getting ready to walk to school, I heard a gunshot for the first time in my life. My parents kept us at home for the day and we were frightened. We later found out that a military man was killed. Later that day, I also heard my first chopper; the PNG defence force was coming to get the dead body.
In early 1990, our school was closed and our village was burnt down by the PNG defence force. All of my family members fled to the bush, where we spent next eight years. In 1993, I joined my older brother and parents in the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army). I was 14-years-old.
We hid in the mountains and constantly moved around. Whenever we moved, houses and gardens were temporarily set up – men would go first to check that it was safe, then women would follow and start the gardens. We would camp deep in the mountains where things were safer. We didn’t come down until 1997.
When I first joined the BRA, I was taught how to make and use home-made guns. With home-made guns, you can only make one shot. You hide in the bush, shoot, then run away to a safe place where you can clean your gun before you can make another shot. It was very dangerous, but we had no other options. I have seen people die.
I came to Hutjena in 2004 to start my Grade 11, but I found that study was hard. Competition from other students was tough and I started to get worried that I wouldn’t do well in school and be unable to get further tertiary education. I found that I would spend time worrying and not concentrating on my study. I decided to change my thinking then.
Whenever I started to worry, I thought to myself, “Bai mi wokim gut stret” – saying to myself that I will do well. This positive thinking helped me.”
To find out more about the Bougainville’s history, visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1246074.stm
Meet Felix 19, from Bougainville
“Education is really important to young people in Bougainville. They want to know about other people and countries, especially New Zealand. Most students want to extend their studies further. Students in New Zealand might be interested to know how young people in Bougainville work (doing school chores as well as school work), especially in boarding schools.
The one thing I have learned in life is how important it is to have a job in the future.”
Felix’s story
Susan Kelly is a VSA volunteer working in Bougainville, helping Asitavi High School to improve its administration systems. Susan first met Felix in his role as an apprentice electrician. Apart from being a student, Susan values his expertise in starting up the generator at her house every evening.
She says:
“Felix is a Prefect at Asitavi High school, Bougainville. He is 19 years old. Students in Bougainville tend to start school later than students in New Zealand and many missed schooling during the 10-year Civil War here. Everyone in Asitavi village knows Felix, he makes an impression just by being ‘himself’. He is quietly unassuming and has a natural dignity about him that draws your attention. Felix speaks three languages: English, Pidgin and his home language, ‘Nasioi’. He is a really good volleyball player and has a good ear for music.
The students are woken up each morning at 5am on weekdays by the Head Boy, Lazarus. The students all have their own house gardens. If they don’t help to grow their own food here, students don’t get to eat. They grow green abecca (like spinach), sweet potatoes (in season), assorted greens and capsicums. Firewood is collected daily by groups of students, and other groups are delegated to cook three meals a day on open fires in giant pots.
There are eight periods in a school day, finishing at 1:40pm. In the afternoon students are involved in cleaning up the school grounds, weeding house gardens, or helping with repairs to the dilapidated school buildings.
The toilet and shower blocks are slowly being repaired. In the meantime, girls walk one way to the river and boys walk the other way for all ablutions – in cold water! Many of the students are homesick, missing their family and friends they have grown up with in a little village tucked away in the bush. Many new students walk several hours to get to the school.
Recently, the students put on a cultural evening featuring traditional dances and songs from their home areas. Felix made himself a set of pan pipes out of reeds and a head dress. It is not uncommon for students to perform cultural dances, and there is so much variety even on this small island, with many different tribal groups. Students in Bougainville are hungry to be educated.
They will put up with little food and poor facilities and scrimp up to $1000 kina (around NZ$500) a year by working in the cocoa fields in the school holidays so they can learn. I have the utmost admiration for them.”
“I think I would like young people in New Zealand to know about my culture, because a culture is who you are. The most important thing for young people in Tokelau is their culture. Culture is your way of life, it is also what other people and countries see and hear about, that tells them ‘I am Tokelauan’. If you try to understand someone’s culture then it is always easier to make friends with new and interesting people and I think that there would be more peace in our world.
I have dreamed about being the first Tokelauan person to stand on the soil of Jupiter, the largest planet. I really admire Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, because he was brave but determined to be, and was, the first man to put his two feet onto the rocky ground of the moon.
One of the most important things that I have learnt about in my life is my belief in God. God is the head of everything in my life because of my Catholic religion. During hard times the first thing I do is say a prayer to God asking for his help.”
Malo’s story
Deborah Wall is working as a VSA volunteer teacher trainer in Nukunonu in the Tokelau Islands.
She says:
“I have known Malo since I first came to Nukunonu in 2003 as a VSA volunteer. Malo is in Form 5 (Year 11). He is part Samoan and part Tokelauan. If a student is in the top 10 percent they can receive a scholarship, which means that they will have their further high school education for the next year paid for. It is something that all students in Form 5 in Tokelau hope to get. Malo’s goal is to do well and get a scholarship. This will mean that he can go to Samoa and do 6th and 7th Form (Years 12 and 13) there. I have always enjoyed teaching Malo because he is a kind, caring and thoughtful person.
Malo has many responsibilities. He is the oldest of three children in his family, he has a younger sister and brother, yet he takes these responsibilities on his shoulders and manages them not only to the best of his abilities, but with a big, happy smile on his face, too. To me Malo is a wonderful example and reflection of his people, culture and Tokelau as a whole.”
To find out more about Tokelau, visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/4712096.stm
Meet Ketsia 16, from South Africa
“I am not at all from a rich family but I must say, I have grown to know that not having all that you want is not torture. Being rich does not necessarily mean having a lot of money (from my perspective). I therefore feel as though I am the richest person. What counts is what you do for other people. That will bring you riches in life.
I get inspired by people who encourage young people to do good using poetic or touching words. I also get inspired by challenges I often have to overcome. I admire my mother, Princess. From her I always get a purpose of facing each day. The basic reason is that she takes things as they come, she never complains to God. This is like me.
I think everybody dreams of a brighter future, but it depends as to whether you work hard enough for it or not.”
Ketsia’s story
Beryce Vincenzi is a VSA volunteer teacher trainer of practical techniques in science at Mariazell High School, where she met Ketsia.
She says:
I first really noticed Ketsia in May 2005. I attended one of the debates the school was hosting. I was struck by her composure in front of the whole school and the way she not only put out her views, but also how well she handled questions from the audience (the students). She spoke with a loud, deliberate voice and was very persuasive – all the more impressive because her stature is slight.
I have seen Ketsia under pressure from external sources on several occasions and she seems to draw on some inner strength – a frown very quickly turns to a very open, large smile.
Ketsia says…
I know dreams do not always come true, but where there is a will, there is a way. From a very tender age, I have been troubled by my health. My problem is, I am allergic to house dust mites. I found this out only recently, since I had been taken to specialists for my illness [asthma]. I still remember in February 2005, when my illness was at its peak. On that very same day, I knew for sure, I must be a doctor. This is because I know what it means to be in great pain because of an illness. I believe that I will be a good doctor because I know how the patients feel and I have a soft spot for people. I get pleasure in helping those in need, especially if it’s a matter of life and death. This is my aspiration, and with perseverance by my side, I will surely make it through.
Next year, I’m planning to go to the University of Capetown, to do a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. I am working very hard to get a bursary.
I don’t know much about New Zealand, but it should be something of a developed country. So I just want them to know that South Africa is not so developed and I believe our life is not so up to standard. But only if we can have a relationship where we can assist each other in one way or another.
For people in New Zealand I would love them to know they have to work for other people, because that’s where you derive the most pleasure in life.
To learn more about South Africa, visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1071886.stm
“Love and try very hard with your study. Respect the advice of the elderly and respect yourself and help other as much as you can. May I wish you with the best of luck, health and happiness in your family.”
Phanna’s story
VSA volunteer Sandra Jones and her partner Anthony were with VSA in Cambodia. They had the opportunity to visit Phanna and his band, and Anthony writes:
“There, in the low-beamed space under the stairs is the band. Phanna, the boy I’ve come to see, with his drums, is the leader and inspiration of the group. He sits on an old wooden ammunition box, drums on the tiles at his feet, flanked by guitarist and keyboard player, each on the floor. The drum-sticks are probably of bamboo, but carefully rounded and delicately tapered, the drums fashioned out of baby formula tins, the keyboard, a toy plastic one which you blow into. Only the guitar is the real article. They pause while we enter, then slip into immersion in their music. The rhythm and cadences are good. They don’t writhe and jump about as some jazz fiends do they simply enter into their art.”
A friend of Phanna’s in Cambodia tells us more…
Phanna is currently studying in an informal music class. His goal is to try to get into public music school at the end of this year. He hopes to become a good musician. Phanna and the other members of his band want to train in both pop and classical music, perform in restaurants, at weddings, and travel.
Phanna’s father was a motor taxi driver and his mother a fish-sauce seller. About seven years ago there were more than 10 families in his village where members of each family died of HIV/AIDS. When his father was sick the family had tried many ways to cure him and sold all their belongings to cover medical costs. Phanna lost both parents to HIV/AIDS.
Since then Phanna came to live with extended family members – nine people in all. The breadwinners for the family have always been Phanna and his aunt. Phanna had to get work at the early age of nine. He would row his small boat, carrying passengers back and forth across the river to the markets. Later, his boat was ruined and his aunt sold it for whatever money she could get to support the family. After that Phanna had to find seasonal construction work or other similar jobs to earn money to support his family, to go to school, and pay for his music lessons.
Phanna is generally happy with his life but is continuing to struggle to survive and to put himself through school.
Find out more about Cambodia. Visit
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1243892.stm