Dedication

I dedicate this book to the glory of my Good Lord and our Blessed Virgin
Mother Mary who was my guide and source of life who gave me hope and light
to be successful.

I wish to dedicate this humble work to my hardworking and wonderful parents

who remain faithful to each other in God’s love in supporting me through my
ups and downs, help me in building my character to whom I am now. To my
aunt, Celine for being there for me during my health conditions.

Prologue
Prudence
Prosperity in life
Respectful person
Understandable
Distinct as being myself
Excellent as a brave girl
Natural in beauty
Careful in decision making
Extraordinary
My Childhood
Out from the cold breeze, fog everywhere, smoke coming out of the kitchen chimneys,
people just waking up from their deep sleep. Daily routines just began, birds singing sweet
melodies to start the new day. In the midst of everything there stood a car with a young
man, a pregnant woman and two other women. They were all in a rush; the car flew like the
wind along the bumpy pothole road from Kadaulung in the Gazelle District to Vunapope
General Hospital. The car arrived at the emergency ward; the pregnant woman was rushed
to the labour ward. After some hours of labour straight at twelve p.m when the Angelus Bell
rang at the nearby cathedral, a beautiful baby girl was born. It was on November 27 th, 2003.

When I was born as a blessing to my parents, my mother, Jenny Sahongu Matkale and my
father Felix Matkale. My aunt, my dad’s small sister, Celine was the first relative to see me
and carry after my delivery. She was there by my mother’s side until I was born.

I was named by my father. He named me after my late aunt, Prudence Matkale who died in
1983. The name was given to her by a New Zealand couple at Pomio Health Centre. During
my birth to childhood I was happy. I hardly cry and was always a good child. I was the
quietest child compared to my siblings. I only cry when I am hungry and when feel
threatened. During that time I really like eating fruits especially pineapple and watermelon. I
don’t like eating real food much. I spend most of the time with my dad in his office leaving
my baby sitter at home. It is very funny because my baby sitter was a man and he was my
favourite uncle. One afternoon, on the 20th of December 2004, my mum and I left my dad at
kadaulung and went to Kimba, west New Britain province on the ship Rabaul Queen. It was
our last sail on the ship before it sank. My dad was left alone but he is a humble man so he
did not mind about my mum’s departure though he was worried about me. He was strong
until we returned from Kimba in 2005.
From Kadauling, my parents were posted to Mandres Primary School still in the gazelle
district. My brother was born there. I was so happy when my second brother was born
because I now have someone to play with. The temperature there was very cold. You will
hardly come out of the house in the morning and evening because fog usually covers the
place around that time. We were advised to wear warm clothes and stay indoors to keep
warm.

We stayed there for two years from 2005 to 2006. In 2007, my parents were posted to
Tavilo Primary School. The school was located inside the valley of kerevat countryside near a
cocoa plantation owned by Agmark Company LTD. The road access was very poor with no
electricity and a supportive aid post that belongs to the company.

I spent most of my childhood days at Tavilo with my childhood friend who is also my
favourite cousin Brigitte Bara. We use to wear matching clothes especially dresses. When
our parents bought separate colours we use to fight over them. So our parents decided to
buy matching colours to solve our conflict. We use to get beaten up by our parents for
spending most of the days washing in the nearby creek. But we don’t listen. The only option
was to separate us. So that day finally arrived for my cousin to leave me and go back to her
parents at Napapar Health Centre. It was a heartbreaking moment to let go of someone who
was very close as we love each other as sisters. But I had to let go and make new friends
again.

My first day to go to school was in 2009. I was a prep student at Tavilo Elementary School. I
use to run away from class each day because I was new and unfamiliar with the children and
didn’t know Kuanua language which was the mode of communication. So my dad told me to
stay at home for another year. He was the head teacher at Tavilo Primary School.

Schooling Career begins

In 2011, I started my schooling. I didn’t attend play school, because I was home-schooled by
my mother so I started at prep. One afternoon during sports time was very angry and swore
my teacher “teacher mas longlong ya” for excluding my friends and I from playing volleyball.
My friends betrayed me and reported the case to my class teacher. A letter was sent to my
parents reporting what I did. My father was very angry and belted me. He then withdrew
me from continuing my Grade One. I was transferred to Kerevat Christian Integrated
Elementary School to complete my Grade One there. The next year, I went back to Tavilo
Elementary to continue Grade two. I was graded the poor performing student during the
entire year. I never receive any academic awards. I finally graduated at the end of 2013 with
an Elementary certificate.

In 2014, the next level of my education began. I was in 3B class and my sports house colour
was green known as the Almighty Kalangar. During the years 2014 to 2016 I wasn’t really
serious about my learning so I did not perform well in class. In 2015, I received the Blessed
Sacrament of Baptism at NARI CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CHURCH by Father John, a Pomio
priest. That year my class teacher was my mother. There is always some disadvantages and
advantages of your parent being a class teacher. Your parents know your strengths and
weaknesses better so they will teach in a way you will understand better. For my sake when
someone in the class did something wrong I always get the blame. And when my mum is
angry with my dad at home she will get on me for nothing in front of my friends which is so
embarrassing. Because of that I don’t enjoy learning in the classroom but the outside
activities such as sports and work parade I do participate well. I was selected the best junior
shot put player to participate during the interschool carnival at Vunalovo Primary School. I
came fourth during the competition and thus I discovered my real talent in sports. Back to
the academic side, I struggle with maths and I usually cry when I don’t understand the
content of the topic.

Puberty stage of life- Challenges as a student

By 2017, all my other siblings were born. I now was blessed to have three more brothers
and a small sister. One of my brothers, Vincent has a physical disability. We see him as a
blessing because he taught us many lessons in life. This same year I received both the
Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and a week later Confirmation. I was in Grade Six. During this
time I experienced a lot of physical changes. I developed big sores on my legs which were
very painful and I couldn’t sleep properly at night. Though I was taking antibiotics it did not
help much. My father hired a bush doctor and he gave me herbs which finally healed my
sores’ also improved in my schoolwork. I did very well in my favourite subjects, Social
Science and Language and got awards for them at the end of the year on graduation day.
Seeing my academic results that year motivated me to strive for better marks.

On March 11th on a Tuesday morning when I was in grade seven, I had my first menstruation
cycle. I hid it from my mum at first but eventually she found out and put me through
initiation. This was a custom from my father’s side, where young girls experiencing their
cycle for the first time go through.

In the year 2019; the year I was doing my grade eight something happened that disturbed
and halted my learning for that year. One Thursday morning around eleven o’clock we were
having a social science lesson. We were tasked to draw the map of Papua New Guinea.
While we were busy drawing, I suddenly fainted and fell on my desk mate, Lemuel. He was
so scared that he ran out of the classroom. I was half conscious so I could still hear people
talking around me. I started having a fit, throwing my arms and legs everywhere and fell on
the floor with blood and saliva coming out of my mouth. Then I lost consciousness. This
prompted all my classmates to run screaming out of the classroom. My class teacher came
running at the commotion. By then everyone in the school knew and my parents heard
about it. They were shocked and confused as to why I was acting that way. They took me
home. After sometime I woke up around 2 p.m. my body felt stiff and I wasn’t able to move
my body. This was the first time for something like this to happen to me. I stayed at home
for a week to recover. My dad’s sister took me to Nonga General Hospital for medical check
up but though I went through all kinds of test, the doctor couldn’t find anything wrong with
me. So they concluded that I had epilepsy. After I week I tried going back to school but this
condition did not improve. My dad decided to withdraw me again because he was
concerned that I could injure myself or worse.
I stayed at home and helped to look after my baby brother and disabled brother. Things still
didn’t improve, in fact it grew worse. I kept getting these attacks that it paralyses me at
times. My parents even engaged a pastor to pray over me but nothing happened. One
evening as I sat gazing at the stars, and this thought came into my mind”others can help
pray for you but you must have faith in yourself too”. I started praying the rosary everyday
with my special intention to mother Mary. My prayers were answered and I was healed
completely. My parents were surprised when I did not have any attacks again and ask me so
I told them about my praying to Mother Mary. I told them that I was all right and was ready
to go back to school.

I went back to complete my grade eight in 2020. Though I struggled at times with my studies
I continued to pray to the good lord to help me and I believed that he did. As a result I was
one of those selected to go to George Brown to do Grade nine the next year.

During graduation that year, I wore matching meri blouse and skirt. It was also the first time
I wore make up and high heels. It was a bit awkward when I went up to collect my award
with the heels but I was very proud all the same. My parents were also very proud,
especially my dad.

Secondary life...
During the Christmas holidays I was very sick and did not enjoy myself. I did not have a
chance to go for Christmas shopping too. While sleeping at home, my ears were alert to the
radio to hear the grade nine selections. I was already assuming I was going to go to George
brown secondary school since all my friends will go there too. My dad did not inform me but
he had secretly written a letter of interest for me to come to Olsh Vunapope Secondary
School. The names were finally read by Mr Pius Reva. When he read out the list for Grade
Nines to George Brown secondary I was disappointed when I didn’t hear my name. To my
surprise, I was called with another girl from my school to go to Olsh Secondary School. I was
so happy that I think I forgot about how sick I was. My parents were so happy and proud of
me. I was also proud and thankful to the good lord for blessing me with a place in Secondary
School, especially in a girls school.

I couldn’t wait to go and pick up my acceptance letter at the school administration office.
My mum didn’t want to go with me and told me to go myself. I have never been to Kokopo
and was scared and nervous but I prayed to God to be with me. With the trust in him I
arrived at the school and felt reassured when I saw the welcoming surrounding of the
school. I went to look for the caretakers straight away and signed for my acceptance letter. I
was now a student of olsh secondary school and was really looking forward to begin my new
level of education. I went back home full of excitement.

After reading the instructions on the acceptance letter, my mother and I went to pay my
school fees at Kina bank in the beginning of January. After that we went to the school to pick
up my permit slip as instructed. The permit slip showed that my school fee was paid and
that I was registered. I was allowed to sleep at the school as a boarder. We went to town
after that to buy the stuffs that were required of a boarding student as stated on the permit.
We bought my mattress, a bucket, a Glory to God song book, etc.

School was to start in the beginning of February and boarding students were required to
arrive in the school by the 31st of January which was on a Sunday. When the realisation
came that I was going to leave my family and home, I panicked for a moment and ask my
dad to transfer me to George Brown where all my friends went. My dad could see me that I
was a bit scared so he talked to me a little to help me. He said that this was a new chapter in
my life and I was to accept that my old life as a primary student was gone. With the new
level at Secondary school, I would meet and make new friends. I think my father didn’t want
me to be with my old friends because he wanted me to focus on my school work. Though
Olsh Secondary School and George Brown Secondary are both mission schools my dad
convinced me that OLSH was better because it was a girl’s school and a school of my own
faith which I would relate to.

The time finally arrived for me to leave for school. My father hired a taxi and everyone came
to leave me. We arrived at the school ground at around 12 p.m. that Sunday. We waited for
some time foe the school dean to allocate the dormitory. Finally she came and allocated
cube seven dorm one upstairs. My family help me brought my stuffs to my new dwelling for
the year. It was time for my family to leave. We said goodbye to each other and they took
off back home to tavilo. I was very brave and I did not cry. It was the first time I was away
from my family. I was homesick at first but eventually I met up with a senior who was also
an ex student from Tavilo Primary School. Her name was eshrin Boka. She was a Science
student and she made me feel welcome. I got to know my cube mates and with the help
also from our dorm prefect I began to adjust to boarding life at my new school.

On Monday, my first day at school I was first introduced to the different periods for the day,
periods one to eight with 40 minutes intervals. It was all new experience to such a way of
learning where a period ends for a different subject and a new teacher coming in for it. At
first I struggled to cope with the periods of time especially lunch time which is at 1:40 p.m.
but then I got used to it eventually as the days go by. I settled into the life of a secondary
student. Waking up early in the morning, attending to the morning chores, being early for
breakfast, going to church, going for studies into the night and fixed bedtimes where
everyone should go to bed together. This was my life now for the next four years.

During that time as a boarder and it made me strong and I learned many things. I became
independent. I learnt to budget my allowance from my dad where I never did before. I also
learnt to manage my time. The social activities and especially the spiritual activities that we
have in the school help us to grow strong and strengthen our faith. During weekends was
community service where we do clean up in and around our school and dormitory areas.

I liked the lessons better in the classroom but the only subject that I struggled with was
Science. Maybe because I didn’t like it much. I sometimes hid when it was time to go to the
laboratory. I was elected the class captain of my class, the Nine Magenta. My house colour
was Green.

Something happened that year that really impact on our learning. The Covid 19 virus hit the
world including Papua New Guinea and everyone was affected. It was a new disease and
everyone was really scared because it was an international issue and we kept hearing about
the increasing number of people being infected and also deaths. It was an epidemic and all
the schools were declared on lockdown. Classes were suspended and everyone was sent
home. We were given certain times to come back to the school to pick up notes and also
activities were prepared for us to do at home. It was an experience that I would always
remember. After sometime we were asked to come back to school provided we followed
certain strict procedures, especially the day students like washing hands with soap and
water and wearing masks. It was a custom for us at the school to hug each other frequently
but when this new disease struck nobody was hugging anymore. It was hard for us but we
had to get use to it. we did manage to finish the school year except for the Grade 12 that
year did not have a graduation ceremony because of the strict rules of not having more
people hanging around in groups. On that note I completed my grade nine for the year and
went home for holidays when the schools end for the year.

In 2022, we all returned to school for another academic year. We were now returning as
Grade 10 students. Being in grade 10 for me was like standing on a broken bridge trying to
cross to the other side to reach your destination. I really enjoyed my grade 10 days with my
fellow students and teachers.

In Grade 9 I was interested in altar serving but didn’t get a chance to theory lessons of
serving. But I was observant during mass times and when I was given a chance to serve I
started as a candle bearer. I was very nervous and my hands were really shaking when I lit
the candle but then I slowly gained confidence remembering that it was an honour to serve
the Good Lord as an altar server.

My academic results from the previous year (grade nine) were poor so my father challenged
me during Christmas break to improve in Grade 10. I worked hard, sacrificing most of my
free time to study and revise lessons I wasn’t really sure of. I wanted to prove to me parents
that I could do better in my studies. I also did well in sports especially shot-put and Javelin. I
took part in the house carnival and I came second in shot put. Thus I was selected to
represent my school in the interschool carnival at Vuvu Secondary School later that year.
Though I did not win any medals for my school it taught me that sports can take you places
you haven’t been.

It was coming towards October now, the time for the national examinations. It was also the
month of the Rosary according to the Catholic liturgical calendar. We, especially the Grade
10s committed ourselves in preparation for our exams. I had a lapse also from my sickness,
epilepsy but I overcame it with the help of THE holy Rosary. We were thankful to our
hardworking teachers who had us prepared to face the examinations with confidence.

Finally the day of the examinations came and we assembled outside the hall. We opened
the day with devotion and then we started with the first exam papers, Mathematics and
Personal Development. The last paper Language paper two we sat on Friday. The total
subjects we sat for were seven excluding Christian Religious Education. I was happy that I
had come to the end of lower secondary and was confident that I would continue to upper
secondary. Part of my journey at secondary was completed and I was ready for the next
chapter.
As a boarding student we had this motto “COME AS A STRANGER AND DEPART AS SISTERS”,
shortened to the acronym CASADAS. We lived in the boarding house as a family. After the
two years of living together as sisters helping each other especially academically, spiritually,
socially, the time had come for us to move on the next journey. We were sad and also
hopeful that we would see each other again the next year. The last day of the examinations
was an emotional time for all of us. We cried and said goodbye to each other as our parents
came collected us at school.

Second graduation..
At the end of the year we had our graduation and my parents only came while the rest
waited for me at home. The first part of graduation was mass service as the custom. After
mass we all moved to the hall for the main part of the graduation. The speeches were the
first and i was really inspired by the vice head girl Kesten Talmar. Her speech was very
encouraging. In her speech she mentioned that a graduation is a day that we officially move
from one chapter of education life to another. It really moved me and I had this strong
feeling that I was going to come back the next year.

That Christmas we did not go home to my father’s village but remained at the school
because I was so sick with malaria. Most of the time I was listening to the radio waiting for
the time for the announcements for the students new intakes for the year 2023. My parents
doubted me so they went to enquire about Caritas PNG. They wanted me to continue my
grade eleven over in Port Moresby. My mum went over to Port Moresby to register me. I
also went for police clearance and got medical clearance too.

Entry To Upper Secondary

It was time for the collection of the Grade eight certificates and my father went down to the
education office to collect for Tavilo Primary school. On his way in he happened to notice
that the grade 9 and 11 listing for the year 2023 was out already. He went straight to the
grade 11 listing and immediately his eyes fell on my name. He was so surprised and happy at
the same time. He took a shot of it with his phone camera and took it home. I was busy
weeding my kaukau garden when he arrived home so he sent my small brother to come
fetch me. When I approached him he pretended and gave me a sad face and held me close
to him and told me that he couldn’t believe that I had been chosen to continue at OLSH. I
was so overjoyed and I hugged everybody with happiness. That last week of holiday was the
happiest days of my life. I couldn’t wait to go back to school to see if my friends also passed.

We rang my mother and she came back from Port Moresby. She was also surprised and
thankful that I made it through. From here I really believed that God helped me and
strengthened my faith in praying the HOLY Rosay.my mother came back from Port Moresby
the following day. Both my parents were very proud of me. I realised that I had mended my
broken bridge and it was time to make it stronger. While celebrating my achievement we
were also happy when the teachers posting came out and my parents were posted to St
Pauls Vunakanau Primary school. After 16 years at Tavilo Primary School we were happy
that the good lord had also listened to our prayers to go to a new school. It was solely for
the benefit of our disabled brother that we moved because we needed to be close to a
medical centre. Also it was a chance for us to experience such luxury as electricity etc
because we grew up in remote Tavilo though I have experience because I was a boarder at
OLSH.

When I went back to school I continued again as a boarder. I was so excited to see my
friends and classmates again. I was in grade eleven Red which was business class and I
wasn’t sure at first if I would manage because I have difficulty with calculation. I talked it
over with my parents and they told me that it was my choice to make. They also encouraged
me that to have faith and everything is possible through God almighty. So I decided to take
humanities.

At the beginning of the academic year things didn’t go well as I thought. I was struggling to
keep up with my studies and I lost focus in my school work. I shared my problem with my
cube mates and they helped me figure it out. I also continue praying to the lord to help me.
Eventually Social science became clearer to me and I started enjoying the lessons more. My
economics teacher, Mr Katoa helped a lot when he explained how to reason out things well.

Taking on responsibility..
Being a boarder comes with responsibilities that we have to participate in, especially work
parade. Since the grade twelves were going to leave us soon, we were now going to be
given the responsibilities in certain areas in the school to take care of. We were asked by Mr
Kavanamur to write down sections that we were interested in working and I wrote down
section 2. But the prefect in charge of sections nine-bakery came and informed him (Mr
Kavanamur) that she wanted me to come observe at the bakery. She wanted me to be the
prefect of the bakery. It’s a daily routine of making breakfast for the whole school.

My parents didn’t want me to be a prefect as this would disturb me in my studies so I did

not tell them that I was chosen as a kitchen prefect. She was quite angry with me when she
found out sometime later. I told her that it was okay I could balance my time accordingly in
school because I had learnt a lot from being a boarding student. I enjoyed working at the
bakery because I learnt a lot there. It challenged me to wake up early also for lessons. We
have buns and cabin biscuits every morning with milked tea.

One event that I will always remember at school was when I was a guard of honour during
the burial of late Archbishop Karl Hesse. It was a blessing for us because though it was very
hot that day, we stood firm as the guard s of honour at the mission cemetery until the burial
ceremony was over. It was a blessing for us also to serve as altar servers at the burial mass.
The liturgy was led by the Ulapia Channel College students. I was so nervous to serve
because there were so many people from all the parishes around the province including
others from the rest of the country. But as always, I put my trust in the Lord and He gave me
the strength to be confident to continue with whatever I was assigned to do. We served for
the Cardinal, Sir John Ribat who represents the Pope in our country. I was so excited to
serve him since I only see his face on TV but this was my chance to actually see him face to
face and talk to him. I even had the chance to shake HIS HANDS. It was a blessing for us altar
servers and we even took photos with him.
All year around we always have events that happened in school apart from academic
events. One of them is sports. According to the rules of sports it was a requirement that
everyone from grade 9 to grade 12 must take part in the ball games in ROUND Robins. The
grade 11 round robin was hosted t Warangoi secondary school. All the grade 11 students in
east New Britain were to compete in ball games there at Warongoi Secondary. I was
selected to play in volleyball and rugby touch. We came third in volleyball but we lost in
rugby. We didn’t mind much because we had our motto that says “we only play for fun and
enjoyment”. It was exciting for me because it was my chance to see friends that went to
other schools and also to meet and make new friends.

A tragic night
After sitting for the national examinations that year, the Grade 10s and grade 12s left for the
holidays. I was selected by the boarding hose dean, Mrs. Paniu to be the temporary dorm
prefect. My friend Bernadine, now in 12 BLUE WAS ALSO A DORM PREFECT. It was a great
challenge since now I was to look after two areas.

One day in the early hours of the morning a group of boys from the nearby settlements
came into our school around 3 a.m. in the morning. They were armed with bush knives and
tools. They broke into our dormitory, Dorm 2. I was so scared when I saw them but I quickly
woke the grade 9s which I was looking after and we escaped outside. I thought that the
thieves were going to come downstairs first but they didn’t. They broke into the upstairs
room first. Luckily the girls heard them and woke up before the situation got worse. They
didn’t take a lot of things, only two phones. They kicked the girls, hit them and even
scratched them with the bush knives. We were so scared some girls couldn’t help
themselves and peed themselves. It was a total scary experience for all of us. Luckily they
ran away when the teachers came running to rescue us. We were all traumatized by this
incident but eventually recovered from it in our own ways. As for myself I learned a lot from
this experience. I became stronger as a leader who took responsibility for others who were
trusted under my care. After this experience most of us didn’t want to be boarders
anymore. It was coming towards the end of the year and we started packing our things
ready to go home. The time finally came and our parents stated coming to pick us up to go
for the long Christmas break.

Life goes on...

After the Christmas and New Year celebrations 2023, my parents were posted again to
Rakunai Primary School. My father, this time was to be the head master of a very big school.

The fee for the Grade 12s this year was cheaper for our school compared to other secondary
schools. I paid K140 only which is a relief for my parents. On the other hand I was
disappointed to find out that was registered a day student for this year. I’m still hoping to be
given a chance to come back as a boarder as I missed my daily routines at the school. Being
a day student for the four weeks now is very challenging. Living with my parents and
travelling to school, with them hovering over me checking my school work can be intimating
at times. They have expectations they want you to meet and sometimes forget that I also
have expectations also that they must meet towards my learning.

As a grade 12 student, time management is very important. Passing the grade 12

examination is one of my major priorities. As the first born child in the family, your
responsibilities are greater than your siblings. I was challenged by my parents to work hard
this year since this was a very important chapter in my life that will determine who I will be
in life. I always dreamed to become a teacher. My personal motto motivates me a lot. It’s a
familiar one but to me it means a lot: ‘no pain, no gain’ with my favourite bible text
Philippians 4:13. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME. When I
put them into practice it actually defines myself, who I am physically, socially, spiritually and
mentally in all aspects. end of grade 12 is not an end to everything. There are multiples of
pathways to go. LIFE GOES ON.

I would like to thank the Language and Literature Department in giving this
project to fully express my personal life story.
Epilogue
When we believe
We are able to achieve
So we must be grateful
And thankful
And be able to be relieved.
When I cooperate
Things are operating
So I do my best
Because I am fast
And I do not tolerate

I love talking
And laughing
Because I am playful
And always being helpful
In working wonderfully