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I know there must be a lot (hundreds possibly?) of local village children in PNG, but I'd like to give some of the children some gifts as I have seen in photos on here. Things like colouring in books/crayons, a ball of some sort, a teddy, lollies or little things like that.
How would I go about doing this? I mean, in terms of packing. Should I buy here in Australia and take them with me or is there a place in PNG that would sell that sort of stuff?
Also, are there any villages that would oppose this idea of gifts to the children – like would any villages consider it offensive?
Also, I'd like to give my porter a gift – more a token of appreciation and deep gratitude rather than a 'gift' (I've heard they're mad keen on cigarettes! and possibly playing cards or something). Again, would I be better off buying here or over there?
Thanks for your thoughts.
You are best to buy here and take over – there are limited opportunities to buy while over there, while if you buy here you are familiar with the stores, can weigh what you will carry, and quality may be better and prices cheaper.
The children love simple things – avoid lollies. Blowing bubbles, hair bands (bright colours as both boys and girls will wear them on their wrists), pens for the older kids, pencils, crayons, blank books, colouring books, stickers, sporting equipment, balls, anything with wheels, practical items. Things for porters may include clothes, hiking or camping equipment, things for the village to share, a machete or knife (the boys will often charge others to borrow theirs), etc. You can't give gifts to everyone, so maybe pick on village to spoil, and give the children of other villages something small. They also love to have their photo taken on a digital camera and to see the result!Agree, do not bring lollies as there are no dentists on the Kokoda Track, well perhaps in the future as the new agreement with Australia appears to be putting in a good medical centre at Efogi.
If you decide to bring a colouring book, make it a thick one and then pull out page by page and hand it around the children with one pencil each. They will quickly share their pencils and complete their page but its a good way of giving lots of children the chance of colouring in a page rather than one child only benefiting.
Frisbies are light and good but can disappear off a mountain…haha Had one trekker play with the kids and his went flying. When he got back to Australia he bought and sent up another one to replace it.
Basically anything that is lightweight and colourful. Small tennis balls are also a hit. Same with touch footy balls but you would need to bring along a pump.
With regards to your porter, anything thats army will be a big hit. I have had some of our porters and guides in Australia with me from time to time and take them to a camping shop and they do not move from the army area! Their size waists are generally 32" on average with the Orokaivans (Kokoda people) and with Koiari's (from the track) they are larger framed and 34" on average. Give him your head torch and this will be a big hit. Basically their everyday life is like camping so anything from your pack is fine.
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