Where is the Warakamb Valley?
This little valley, home to over 10 000 people is one of the most remotest areas in PNG. It is sandwiched between the Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands provinces. Thus vital human services are under par in the valley.
History
There is no written history. But from what has been passed on through the years, one can make out world events and make out some history.
The first Explorers/White men
The first explorers to the Highlands were in the 1930s. The first white man probably walked through the Warakamb Valley 5 or 10 years later. On noticing the beauty of the warakamb Valley, some decided to settle. Nobody remembers any names, but the locals all remember a Kon or white men. Nobody was killed.
The First Christians
The first Christians were not Adventists. They were catholics and Anglicans. They settled at Winja, Makep and Emda Manda. They set up cow paddocks, a school and others. They built very good houses, overlooking the Warakamb swamps. However, this was not to last for ever.
Trouble
The locals started doing nasty things to the white settlers. They left one by one and all were gone. The trace of them were only the tree they had planted. There was a big vacuum left.
However, tribal fights started erupting. many young people went to war and not to return to the church. But the faithful few remained and kept the light burning, although, eventually it started to get cold. There cama time when things were just going down hill; spiritually, health and moral values and socio economic development.
Culture
Due to the fact that Warakamb is located in between two major provinces, it is an ideal place for melting of different cultures.
Almost up to 4 different languages are spoken in the valley, yes 4 different languages, sometimes even five when english speakers are around.
Birds of paradise are treasured and the feathers are the main hair dresses.
Below - Warakamb men and women perform a dance in Marara Village in late 1980s.
If you would like to find out more, contact us at info@waeca.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a message in the guest book with your email.
Geography
The valley is situated in the remote highlands of PNG. Please see map on introductory page. It is sandwiched between the Enga and Southern Highlands Provinces.
It is surrounded by three mountain ranges with thousands of hectares of tropical rain forests.
There are also clean streams which flow down from the mountains.
The population of Warakamb is just over 12,000 people. As the population growth in PNG is high (2.5%), and also there is a lack of family planning services, the fertility rate in the valley is also high. Thus the Warakamb population is growing rapidly despite diseases and tribal fight related deaths.
About ten councillors represent the people from the valley; each representing just over a thousand people each. WAECA would like to sit with with the councillors to map a development plan for the valley as well.
In the 'old' days, there would be a respected elder for each major tribe or village. These days, that still happens, but is a bit obscured and councilors are respected bit more than others.
Services available now
Primary school
Currently, there is one primary school, which takes in grades one to eight. It is poorly staffed, but at least something is better than nothing. It is government run. The school is located near Winja, which is the largest village. Two other schools closed down years ago, namely; Marara community school and Wariba community school. There is a need for two more primary schools and at least one high school.
Aid Posts/ Health services
There are two aid Posts (simple first aid centers) in Annal and Kaep. They are also government run. Unicef was funding and equiping the Annal aid psot until the law and order problems in SHP. Currently one of the aid posts is staffed.
There is a need for an HIV AIDs centre and a Health centre. it is one of our aims to build these two one day. If we can not do it, we will ask our children to do it.
Road Link
The only road link is via the Mendi Kandep highway. It was commpleted in the late 1980s. People can either go to Mendi, the capital of Southern Highlands Province, or to Kandep, the district head quarters. Most go to Mendi. The road is poorly mantained and bridges generally fall apart. Land slides are common, and at times, huge land slips can block the road for prolonged periods. Major accidents have happened resulting in the deaths of commuters. Criminal activities are also common.
Goat farming.
Self iniated/ self funding project. Goats are doing well. Because they reproduce fast, they are also multipying quickly. Needs to be done at a large scale.
Interested?
Contact s at WDFoundation@hotmail.com
This little valley, home to over 10 000 people is one of the most remotest areas in PNG. It is sandwiched between the Hela, Enga and Southern Highlands provinces. Thus vital human services are under par in the valley.
 |
| Warakamb is one of the remotest places in PNG |
History
There is no written history. But from what has been passed on through the years, one can make out world events and make out some history.
 |
| Early map of area |
The first Explorers/White men
The first explorers to the Highlands were in the 1930s. The first white man probably walked through the Warakamb Valley 5 or 10 years later. On noticing the beauty of the warakamb Valley, some decided to settle. Nobody remembers any names, but the locals all remember a Kon or white men. Nobody was killed.
 |
| The first white man were scared off after settling for few years in valley |
The First Christians
The first Christians were not Adventists. They were catholics and Anglicans. They settled at Winja, Makep and Emda Manda. They set up cow paddocks, a school and others. They built very good houses, overlooking the Warakamb swamps. However, this was not to last for ever.
 |
| Some of the early Missionaries used scrolls to communicate. |
Trouble
The locals started doing nasty things to the white settlers. They left one by one and all were gone. The trace of them were only the tree they had planted. There was a big vacuum left.
However, tribal fights started erupting. many young people went to war and not to return to the church. But the faithful few remained and kept the light burning, although, eventually it started to get cold. There cama time when things were just going down hill; spiritually, health and moral values and socio economic development.
Culture
Due to the fact that Warakamb is located in between two major provinces, it is an ideal place for melting of different cultures.
Almost up to 4 different languages are spoken in the valley, yes 4 different languages, sometimes even five when english speakers are around.
 |
| Men and Women in a sing sing (Meil) in Warakamb |
Birds of paradise are treasured and the feathers are the main hair dresses.
 |
| Bird of paradise feathers are displayed during cultural festivals |
Below - Warakamb men and women perform a dance in Marara Village in late 1980s.
If you would like to find out more, contact us at info@waeca.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a message in the guest book with your email.
Geography
The valley is situated in the remote highlands of PNG. Please see map on introductory page. It is sandwiched between the Enga and Southern Highlands Provinces.
It is surrounded by three mountain ranges with thousands of hectares of tropical rain forests.
 |
| Mount Melond to the west |
 |
| sara du to the north |
 |
| Bin Mountain in the north west |
There are also clean streams which flow down from the mountains.
The population of Warakamb is just over 12,000 people. As the population growth in PNG is high (2.5%), and also there is a lack of family planning services, the fertility rate in the valley is also high. Thus the Warakamb population is growing rapidly despite diseases and tribal fight related deaths.
About ten councillors represent the people from the valley; each representing just over a thousand people each. WAECA would like to sit with with the councillors to map a development plan for the valley as well.
In the 'old' days, there would be a respected elder for each major tribe or village. These days, that still happens, but is a bit obscured and councilors are respected bit more than others.
Services available now
Primary school
Currently, there is one primary school, which takes in grades one to eight. It is poorly staffed, but at least something is better than nothing. It is government run. The school is located near Winja, which is the largest village. Two other schools closed down years ago, namely; Marara community school and Wariba community school. There is a need for two more primary schools and at least one high school.
 |
| Winja primary school - exists no more |
Aid Posts/ Health services
There are two aid Posts (simple first aid centers) in Annal and Kaep. They are also government run. Unicef was funding and equiping the Annal aid psot until the law and order problems in SHP. Currently one of the aid posts is staffed.
There is a need for an HIV AIDs centre and a Health centre. it is one of our aims to build these two one day. If we can not do it, we will ask our children to do it.
Road Link
The only road link is via the Mendi Kandep highway. It was commpleted in the late 1980s. People can either go to Mendi, the capital of Southern Highlands Province, or to Kandep, the district head quarters. Most go to Mendi. The road is poorly mantained and bridges generally fall apart. Land slides are common, and at times, huge land slips can block the road for prolonged periods. Major accidents have happened resulting in the deaths of commuters. Criminal activities are also common.
 |
| Run down Mendi Kandep Rd on google maps |
Goat farming.
Self iniated/ self funding project. Goats are doing well. Because they reproduce fast, they are also multipying quickly. Needs to be done at a large scale.
 |
| People need guidance on farming goats |
Interested?
Contact s at WDFoundation@hotmail.com
