PEOPLE

Teacher passes on musical passion

By ALPHONSE BARIASI
OUT beyond the western banks of upstream Markham River, where Onga-Wafa of Morobe hugs Obura-Wonenara of Eastern Highlands, humans and birds complement each other in praising the Creator, so it seems.
At Naruaing, one of the last of Morobe primary schools in this border region, nature seems one with man and the creatures of the surrounding forest are not (as yet) so timid to venture out for space and food along with humans.
It is said that people often share their gardens with wild boars, bandicoots and parrots. The sound of singing children and a variety of bird species including birds of paradise, pigeons, hornbills and cockatoos is a daily musical reminder of man’s closeness to nature in this part of the country.
And there is also a songster among the teaching staff. Nathan Ring Miring has taken his love of singing from when he was only a lad to high school, to college and right into the classroom today.

He is an accomplished gospel musician and has his own band which ministers to churches and communities during special events in the immediate community and outside in Markham district.
He is hoping that a few among his students would catch his passion for music, besides the numeracy and language skills he is imparting to them.
Miring is a local from Ramian Village, in the same Onga-Wafa LLG, and a member of the Lutheran Revival Church. He started singing as a young lad while still in Grade 4 in 1998 at Hoap Primary School.
He sang and played music with his cousins in a gospel band known as New Bread and has been producing music and performing at various church events for over 15 years now.
The Kaindi Teachers College (Divine Word University, Wewak) graduate found and married his Wosera (East Sepik) wife Samantha while in college. They have one child, five-year-old Jacobeth.
His music has taken him all over the Markham Plains as well as to other centres in the country. In 2016 he toured Wewak, and a year later he performed at a crusade in Mt Hagen. He has also been to Rabaul, Madang and Lae.

In 2015 the Lutheran Church in Gordon, Port Moresby invited him to perform at an event.
Today he has his own gospel band comprising of family members including Mark Michael, Joel Michael, Gideon Joe, Sam Nathan, Jerry Michael, Sam Yang and Robert Nathan.
They have recorded one album the Eden Sound studio owned by his family. Miring has later set up his own Taus Isung studio and made two more recordings under that label.
What of the future?
“I have grown up in a Christian home and was influenced and inspired by gospel bands and artists such as P2UIF, Voice in the Wind, Dapsey Yapuc and Max Manimbi.
Nowadays preaching from the pulpit or market places does not really reach to the hearts and minds of young people so Nathan wants to reach his peers through his music.
“Music does opens doors for young people to seek a relationship with God to live godly and fulfilled lives,” Miring said.
Besides the personal joy of being able to uplift and motivate people through his music, there are also financial benefits which get invested in the band to purchase new and better instruments and equipment.
Miring also teaches music and is in charge of church life studies in his school, mentoring students to become God-fearing citizens.
One of Miring’s colleagues, the writer’s brother Moses Bariasi, said he had heard Miring’s music played at events including school graduations and wanted to meet the singer.
Fortunately, this year he was posted to Naruaing Primary School where the man himself was teaching. He was therefore immediately drawn to the singing teacher.
Miring said his singing was mainly aimed at inspiring young people and minister a message of hope.
“We deliver messages or sermons in our songs, which are based on themes like God’s healing power and the second coming of the Messiah. Our aim is to draw people to God through our songs,” Miring said.
It is possible that Miring’s passion for music will rub onto some of the children under his charge at Naruaing and any other school he is posted to in his teaching career in future.
And before long a new crop of musicians will arise from the Markham Plains to make a name for themselves.

OCTOGENARIAN KEEPS SERVING

By ALPHONSE BARIASI
WILLIAM Haihavahaela Keare would be offended if told to “act your age.”
The 85-year-old Gulf man called into Port Moresby on one of his few and far-in-between visits into the capital.
A few days ago he impressed our IT boss Jerry Wailyo instantly and the two warmed up in a lively chat at a steel building supplies outlet in town.
Jerry then invites Keare to the newsroom for in interview.
Keare says is the first national medical assistant trained and recognised by the colonial administration and has served the country for decades before retiring.
I too am as surprised as our IT manager when I see the octogenarian standing straight as a rod, and offering a firm handshake and chatted in clear English.
From his folder of documents, he produces a copy of an article by this newspaper almost four years ago written by young journalist Mark Haihuie then.
The story is about Keare’s achievements as a medic those many years ago. He then produces three medals -mementos of recognition and honour from the Government and Queen of PNG.
The first one was a Silver Jubilee medal received in 2005, the second an MBE in 2007 and the third the Queen’s diamond jubilee medal in received in 2012.

Retired nurse calls for help in what he is doing for his people

You might wonder, three medals on and the man is still asking for more recognition? What is left to be told?
Keare is not only the first PNG medical assistant in epidemiology trained by Australians at the Papua Medical College but has spent six decades of his life saving lives.
And he continues to do so even in retirement today. Keare still serves his immediate community in Pakovavu Village in Ihu, Kikori District.
Keare barely completed secondary school in Kerema and moved to Port Moresby. And on April 15, 1957 he joined the Department of Health in Konedobu as a trainee medical assistant.
He was later trained to become indeed the first Papua New Guinean nurse and medical assistant in epidemiology in 1962.
His first posting was to Abau in Central. Then he was recalled to Port Moresby to work as a medical assistant in the TB laboratory and malaria control. He was the leading man in disease control and led patrols to investigate and assess outbreaks and compile health statistics.
He has served all over the country including a stint in Pangia where he worked with Brian O’Neill the father of Peter O’Neill.
While in the West Sepik mountains he met Fokeimin village girl Wabiakensap Ninfof and married her. He had two sons and two daughters with her but in 1987 she died of cerebral malaria while they were living and working in Kaintiba, back in Gulf.
His last public service job was as administrator of Kerema General Hospital.
His exit was not a happy one though. He believes he has not been paid his final entitlements in full and hopes that someone in Kerema would hear him out and settle his dues.
Keare has remarried a lady from his own village. He has also served as a village councillor in 1983.
The veteran health worker has not really wound down; he still runs a small health facility named Ori Lavi Medical Health Post.
“A lot of people come to me with all manner of illnesses and I attend to them. Some pay a little amounts which I use on new supplies. People also help in other ways to keep the operations of the facility afloat.
“I tell my patients that I pray before I give them treatment so their health.”
Keare’s run into town last week was to procure supplies to rebuild his old residence as well as the building that houses his health post.
He has so far spent K20,000 of his money but if government officials, either in Waigani or Kerema could provide him further assistance, that would be a wonderful bonus, Keare says.
The secret to his energy and youthfulness is his faith and love for God, Keare says.
“I fear God. Jesus is the light of the world. He sees me when I do my work. I love God, I don’t swear, I use no foul language.
“I was also a very active sports man in the earlier years. I played rugby league, athletics and Aussie Rules.”
Keare’s efforts in serving his people in his retirement have been recognised by the former Secretary for Health Pascoe Kase and his deputy.
In this country, most 85-year-olds would be too old for any any active service to others, worrying about their own health or depending on children and grandchildren.
Not William Haihavahaela Keare who looks like he has at least a decade to go before the inevitable comes around for him to truly retire.