Whispers of the voiceless

THE emotion in his voice held the audience in silence. He struggled to hold back his tears.  For Porebada man Rev Oala Baru Arua the event marked a significant milestone in the history of his people and indeed all Motu-Koitabuans, the original landowners of Port Moresby.
It was a moment of relief and satisfaction. Finally the hard work of researching and writing had resulted in his book been published.
Family and friends joined  Arua to celebrate the official launch of his first book titled “Whispers of the Voiceless: Forget Us Not” at the March Girls Resort last Saturday.  Motu-Koitabu Assembly (MKA) chairman, Miria Ikupu officially launched the book. 
Arua is a former diplomat and now a minister of religion. He holds a bachelor of divinity from Rarongo Theological College in Rabaul and a bachelor of arts (social work) from the Univeristy of Papua New Guinea. He was once an executive officer of the tariff advisory committee (now defunct) within the trade division of DFAT, when the functions were transferred to the Department of Commerce in the mid 1980s. 
The book carries undertones and overtones of the plight of the Motu-Koitabu people. It is a critique of contemporary church practice and government policy in the context of PNG modernisation. It is an attempt to understand the Motu-Koitabu situation.
“At the end of the day, I am responsible for any short comings or errors pertaining to this work for two simple reasons,” said Arua
“First, the story has to be told in a systematic way so that those who are disadvantaged may see their situation and hopefully, be inspired to challenge the status quo.
“Secondly, many of the issues relating to the United church are discussed in the manner they are treated for the very first time in living memory.
“They maybe coined as ‘tear-drops emanating from an aching heart and soul of a pastor’. If my tears have shaded my wisdom, I accept in advance any criticisms regarding this book,” he said.
Rev Dick Avi, a lecturer at UPNG admires Aura’s scholarly approach to merging both his social concern and theological affirmation, in what he described as the sub-title of the book “Towards a Shift in Paradigm”.
“The shift is from the purely social or economic interests of benefactors, or even of the beneficiaries, as the usual paradigm, to the ‘voiceless whisperers’ of the children, women, the humbled, the under privileged and unborn, who utter the same words as the writer exclaimed on their behalf, “Forget us not”. This book reminds us to listen to the whispers,” said  Avi.
Ikupu in launching the book described it as having a “sad connotation” in reference to the Motu-Koitabu people. He said the Motu-Koitabu people are known for their generosity in welcoming strangers to their land. Where they came from and who they were, they set up what is now Port Moresby, the capital city of PNG.
He said following independence in 1975, a big change came which the Motu Koitabu people never anticipated. While the changes have been good for others, it has not been the same for the Motu-Koitabu people.
“Our voices have drowned out to a whisper by the many changes on our land. In this book, the author is of the view that the church hierarchy has kept silent,” Ikupu said.
“I share wholeheartedly the view that the church has become complacent, overbearing and too comfortable, while its subjects have been suffering various social ills resulting from modernisation.
“The struggle to live in a new modern Motu-Koitabu village is evident. As the city develops into a bigger city, the surrounding villages get smaller,” he said.
“Hanuabada village for instance is being squeezed into a tiny community as new buildings are set up.
“Settlements are growing everywhere at high speed. The voice of Motu-Koitabu people must be heard and leaders representing them have to be aggressive,” Ikupu said.
He said this is the fight the MKA will continue to fight through policies they have initiated. Among them are the HOPE programme, and the establishment of the land audit.
The book is aimed at further enhancing the critical awareness of the University and Grades 11 and 12 students. It is valued at K50 per copy.

– The writer is an officer with Laba Holdings public relations unit.