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Mougulu grade 12 graduates in their gowns and with traditional head dresses
Photo by Mandy Glass

Mougulu High School’s first ever graduation ceremony was a time to celebrate the achievements of students from isolated villages. MAF has been supporting the remote school in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea since it was founded in 2020. 

Story by Linsey Painter

Having struggled at school in Goroka, on the other side of the Papua New Guinea, Julianne Husio returned home discouraged. When Mougulu High School opened, she was determined to finish her education. 

Now Julianne, from Suabi community, is one of three female students to graduate from the high school in PNG’s Western Province.

“I want to go to nursing college in Balimo because I want to help my community,” she said.

We particularly rely on MAF during exam time to get the exam papers to the school and back to the education office in Kiunga on time.
Mikah Yabua, Deputy Principal Mougulu Secondary School

Another successful student, Otty Sasy, said he enjoyed the food at the school’s first ever graduation ceremony, but now he is focused on pursuing a career that will help his region.

“At our graduation ceremony we had a feast with pigs and cassowaries,” he said. “I want to become an economist, settle in my homeland and help my community and my people.”

Julianne Husio receiving a present by Sally Lloyd, the founder of Mougulu Secondary School

Mikah Yabua, from Dodomona, arrived in Mougulu as a new graduate teacher but went on to become Deputy Principal of the only secondary school in PNG’s Middle Fly district. 

As the school hosted its first graduation, Mikah said “God is doing great things in this place.”

The ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students who have come from surrounding communities to get an education locally and to reflect on the part MAF plays in helping the school to operate.

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greeting the MAF plane with traditional dancing
Photo by Mandy Glass

“Mougulu High School is also a boarding school for those who come from surrounding communities,” said Mikah. “Students travel far to come to school. It might take a day or two to walk from Mougulu to reach their homes.

“We rely on MAF to transport the food for the school. We cook about 70kg of rice per week to feed boarding students, plus a carton of tin fish and five to six cartons of noodles per week. 

“We depend on MAF to bring our building supplies, stationary and store foods.”

Micah said MAF flights to Mougulu help students get an education locally because the aircraft bring in teachers and essential supplies.

“Most of our teachers are from other provinces and they need reliable transport as well as supplies. The only way to travel quickly to urban centres such as Kiunga or Tari is by MAF aircraft. When we walk, it takes about a week,” said Mikah. 

“We particularly rely on MAF during exam time to get the exam papers to the school and back to the education office in Kiunga on time.

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unloading supplies from the MAF plane on graduation day
Photo by Mandy Glass

“I think all the community people are very excited. In previous years, some of our students have struggled to attend school in Kiunga and Tari and other places. Now they are very happy that we have a high school in our home ground.”

He added: “The school is a vital need for people here in this remote place. God heard our cry for education. And now we have our school. And we thank God. Without the airstrip and MAF it would be impossible for our school to function.”

Mougulu High School teacher Maika Yabua in his science class in July 2022, the students which were to become the first grade 12 graduates

William Denipo, from Dodomona, is another graduate who is excited to complete his schooling and then get to work in his community. He understands how MAF flights help his school in a location with no road or river access.

“In my place there are many sick people and also pregnant mothers who need good health care. My plan is to study to become a nurse and to be a community leader and help my people,” said William.

“If there is no MAF plane, my village will be totally lost in the jungle. MAF aircraft bring materials like roofing iron to build houses, a school, the church and also our health centres to support the remote villages.”

William Denipo receiving his awards from Western Province Governor, Hon Taboi Awi Yoto

Read more about Otti Sasy from Mougulu in PNG’s Western Province. Wanting to become an economist really speaks to his talents. He has not only paid for his own school fees, but also the classes of three of his brothers by using MAF freight flights to support his dream. 
Young man funds brothers' education | Papua New Guinea