Tuesday, 13 October, 2009
By Derk Swieringa
The YES program is like a blind date. You get told who your partner is, you ring or email each other a few times, you meet on the plane and then you are stuck together for better or worse for a few weeks. Unlike a blind date however, this is one gig you cannot back-out of once the plane leaves Australia. I have just completed my sixth YES assignment and have enjoyed the company of each of my partners. ABV seems to know how to be a matchmaker.
My last assignment was a YES program in Alotau in the Milne area of PNG. My partner was Allan Kindt from Queensland and the program went very well. Even before our plane had taken-off we had pretty well decided that Allan would do the planning, marketing and customer service modules and I would do the finance and human resources.
Both of us admitted having some mild reservations about PNG. Images of rascals with bush knives had come quickly to mind. Well, we found the Milne Bay area to be peaceful and welcoming. It was safe to walk about and everybody greeted you. We would certainly recommend an assignment in this safe area.
With only 4 days to cover all the course material we set a cracking pace and the participants worked hard. An older group with some life and business experience is always interesting and rewarding to work with. They know what they want and let you know what information and assistance they a seeking both during the workshop stage of the course and the later coaching sessions.
During our stay we were accommodated at a lodge called the Milne Bay Education Centre. Facilities were excellent and the staff most helpful. We have no hesitation recommending future use of this seaside facility that is only a 15 minute walk from the centre of town.
On our first free weekend, we went to the Treetops Resort set in the jungle on the other side of Milne Bay. We did a deal with the local owner of this eco facility. He gave us a cheap rate if we would coach him about developing his business. Even though 60 is supposed to be the new 40, a 3 hour bush trek in the Owen Stanley range left me feeling my age - but a glimpse of the hardships our troops experienced on the Kokoda Track. Anyway, we had a great weekend away from the’ big smoke’ of Alotau, I hope the local owner - Warren feels he got equal value from us. We also went on a boat trip and bush trek with a school group visiting from the Ok Tedi mine.
Of course not all aspects on any program are easy going. We found the poor state of local dogs, the carelessness about OH & S and the all-pervading poverty very confronting.
I always leave an assignment with an admiration for the ordinary people of the developing countries to which ABV send us. The ordinary people work hard and long for low returns, constantly under the threat of all sorts of insecurities. Unlike us, they have no welfare state safety net. In the face of their stoic courage, I have nothing to grumble about. It is therefore a privilege to work with such people. In any one program, we cannot hope to make a big difference but it is worthwhile if we can help a few realize their ambitions.