TOGETHER WE CAN

LONG SERVING CHALKIE ENDS COLOURFUL CAREER

By Andy Brum In Minj

A long time high and secondary school teacher Robert Wena from Parmel village in the Nondugl District of Jiwaka Province, has finally called time out on his long and distinguished career.

The 68-year-old grandpa, now in the twilight of his illustrious career, has transformed the lives of thousands of his people.

The local from Parmel village attended Nondugl Territorial school and completed grade six in 1970 and proceeded to complete grade ten at the Mt Hagen High school in 1974 at a time when Jiwaka was still part of Western Highlands.

Wena is one amongst the first group of students from Jiwaka and Nondugl District who choose to become high school teachers and have attended the then Goroka teacher's college now UOG. 

The others were late Philip Par and Joseph Karap who is now one of the deputy administrator in the Jiwaka Provincial Administration.

Wena graduated with a Diploma to teach in high school in 1977. He taught in many high schools in the highlands, this includes, Laiagam , Kandep, Mount Hagen, Fatima, Goroka Tech, Kerowagi and finally at Minj secondary school (MSS).

Wena taught in MSS for 24 years. During those years Wena, at various stages served as both deputy Principal and as head for the Math department and he last served as head for personal development department.

Wena, however, is a trained Math and English teacher.

Further, he is famously known as a person who was instrumental in shifting the co-ordination of FODE courses from Mt Hagen to Minj and as the then tutor. Many students doing FODE and CTCS courses run by UPNG would know Mr Wena better and many at times address him as Daddy Wena.

Some of Mr Wena's personal highlights are he is a strong campaigner for the use of English language in MSS and has been a role model in the dressing code. An athletic built figure who can compete in an all-male fashion show.

During Wena's first year of teaching in 1978, he choose his life time partner Bepi Wena who was an ordinary village girl in her beauty from the neighbouring Onil village. 

Although Bepi Wena did not attend any school she provided all the necessary care, using every logic and common sense and at times being coached by her spouse during their teaching years to ensure his sweet heart kept up with the daily challenges.

However, Bepi Wena said that Mr Wena did subsidized the cost for her to attend adult literacy courses to read and write in the pidgin language vernacular in the later years. She deeply regretted not attending a formal school and blamed Mr Wena for depriving her right from the start. 

But Mr Wena brushed aside her remarks with a smile that she was not in her schooling age when their courtship started which lasted for a couple of days before they gave in to each other to take up the marital vows.

Mr Wena and his wife spoke highly of themselves as they have never been to any family court to sort out any differences or for being distrustful to each other when they first tied the knot. They have cautioned others to understand the value of family unity. They pledged before others to remain that way always when only death will seperate them.

The Wena couples now have ten grown up children. Too many to name, the first born daughter Betty Wena is now the Principal of Waghi Valley Secondary school and the third son David Wena is a rural technology teacher at Minj secondary school. 

As is customary Wena and his wife will rely more on their children for financial support at times to up keeping their welfare.

The Wena families are all faithful of the Evangelical Brotherhood church (EBC).  Wena started to be a deacon of Minj Town EBC and Mrs Wena is an active member of the Church's women ministry.

On Friday, December 3, in a ceremony at Minj Secondary school, Wena formally retired. Sitting right next to him was his life time partner Bepi Wena posing joyfully with a never ending smile throughout the ceremony. 

Mrs Wena boldly told the audience that she will now take her husband home for the last time.

The Principal of MSS Ms Kaul Tumun, on behalf of MSS presented gifts and also gave Mr and Mrs Wena each an undisclosed but believed to be a sum proportionate as gratuity in appreciation for their valued services to MSS.

The teachers presented their gifts and sadly bid farewell to their departing colleague. 

The moving ceremony was witnessed by representative of the PEB, the BOG members, teachers, ancillary staff of MSS and the Wena family.

At the closing, the Wena couples pledged to return back to their home at Parmel village where they will start a new chapter in their life as retirees. 

But it is expected the Wena's will dedicate more of their times to church work. 

It is everyone's guess the EBC circuit in Minj would be interested to recruit Mr Wena to serve in the Church's Education wing.

As a long time friend of Robert Wena and a serving BOG member, I wish to thank  Robert Wena and his wife Bepi Wena and their children for being part of MSS for the last twenty four years and may heaven bless them with a glorious future.