North Bougainville Chiefs have passed a resolution to make HIV&AIDS testing Compulsory in Bougainvill after a training on Leadership roll on HIV&AIDS Prevention.

What do you think?

Or should it be practice throughout Papua New Guinea?

Please comment on this .

Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.

According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor’s daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It’s no surprise that by the Middle Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular saints in England and France.

 While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to ‘christianize’ celebrations of the pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their interiors. Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at the sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would then sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification.

The boys then sliced the goat’s hide into strips, dipped them in the sacrificial blood and took to the streets, gently slapping both women and fields of crops with the goathide strips. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed being touched with the hides because it was believed the strips would make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day around 498 A.D. The Roman ‘lottery’ system for romantic pairing was deemed un-Christian and outlawed. Later, during the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of February — Valentine’s Day — should be a day for romance. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. The greeting, which was written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.

According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.)

Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages (written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400), and the oldest known Valentine card is on display at the British Museum. The first commercial Valentine’s Day greeting cards produced in the U.S. were created in the 1840s by Esther A. Howland. Howland, known as the Mother of the Valentine, made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap”.

 So this is the History of Valentines.

 

What is it?

How can I Protect myself and myfriends?

What is Acquaintance Sexual Assault?

When  somesone you know (a friend, date, acquaintance, etc.) forces you to engage in sexual activities through violence, emotional pressure, or threats.

Many people call this form of sexual assault “Date Rape”, which is inaccurate because this type of sexual assault does not only happen on dates. Friends, acquaintancces, and other people you know can also be perpetrators.

 Important Things to Remember:

• A prior or current relatinship or previous acts of intimacy does not equal consent.
• A verbal consent must be obtained both in each instance of sexual intimacy increases (e.g., from kissing to fondling, from fondling to oral sex, from oral sex to intercourse or anal sex, etc.).
• Like other forms of sexual assault, acquaintance assault is motivated by a need to control, humiliate, and harm.

Social Norms:

One of the things that we have to combat in order to protect ourselves and out friends from acquaintance sexual assault is the social morm that expects us to be polite and even passive (this is especially true for women in our society). Because of these social norms, many victims of sexual assault is the social norms, many victims of sexual assault may suppress or ignore their feelings of discomfort or fear in order to be polite and not offend anyone. In order to prevent acquaintance assault it is essential that, instead, we listen to and act on our instinctual sense of fear and discomfort. In other words, if you aren’t comfortable don’t worry about offending someone, leave!

A Final Word.

While we can do everything in our power to protect ourselves, it is important to remember that if you are assaulted, it is not your fault and you are not alone. Help is out there.

Abortion can happen to women either teenagers, adults or old. In PNG Abortion is illegal and if any women or clinics involve are found will be punished by the court of law.

Survey Questions:

1. What are your views on abortion?
2. What are the current statistic in PNG between youths
3. Effects and what causes
4. Illegality of Abortion in PNG?

Survey Responses:

 Weiana Bobidia age 24/ female: Milne Bay and Central Province 

1. What do you think about abortion?

“I know it’s happening illegally and it’s such a pity for those people who actually consider it. How can you live with yourself after you’ve done something like that? If you don’t want a baby, just don’t have sex… and if you’re about to have a baby, consider it a blessing.”

2. How can abortion affect your relationship?

“I don’t know because I haven’t been put in that situation but I believe that I wouldn’t be able to tolerate someone or a partner agrees with the idea of abortion. If you don’t want the baby I’ll have it myself… your relationship is a separate matter and I just hate how children are dragged into situations they have no control over because of the stupid decisions adults make. I think abortion reflects people’s stupidity, irresponsibility…unless, in medical situations where you have to save the mothers life.”

3. What suggestions can you give on people faced with this dilemma?

“I hate to say never think twice but we’re all human and that happens. Turn to God… he’s there even when you think he can’t hear you… he’s there… so have hope and don’t think you’re all alone. Talk to a friend you trust. That’s all I know, turning to God, because he makes everything right. There’s no other way.”

 Sharon Turia age 26/ female: East Sepik and Kerema Province 

1. What do you think about abortion?

“It’s a painful experience and I don’t think people who have had the procedure done feel any good about it and themselves. Not only is it just physically removing a foetus, the experience remains with you for the rest of your life and can lead to psychological trauma… that’s what I think would happen.”

2. How can abortion affect your relationship?

“I don’t think a woman would be mentally sound after such an experience. I know in high school a couple of my friends used traditional methods to do abortion and the way I saw it, it affected their self-esteem. How they embraced life after that was reckless and maybe deep inside they needed healing or … and I know they didn’t end up with the guys that got them pregnant… it was as though they aborted their relationships as well. ”

3. What suggestions can you give on people faced with this dilemma?

 Greta Rika age 25/ female: Central Province 

1. What do you think about abortion?

“Women who do that are ‘walking graveyards’. I don’t like the idea. It’s murder!”

2. How can abortion affect your relationship?

“Some men will be supportive and be there for you but if it means more to your partner to have a child and you insensitively kill the child… you will create a graveyard for  yourself and a grieving person for the your partners life.”

3. What suggestions can you give on people faced with this dilemma?

“Talk about it as much as you can with people who are close to you and that you trust. Don’t make it a personal decision because it’s not just your life you’re thinking about but a new life as well and that means you can’t afford to be selfish.”

 Jason Innaido age 24/ male: Morobe Province 

1. What do you think about abortion?

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. People who don’t have values and direction in life do that and I know I wouldn’t want to be with someone capable of killing her own child. Yes some men think its ok because they just couldn’t be bothered and if you’re with someone like that I don’t think he loves you or cares about you and you’d be a fool to think otherwise.”

2. How can abortion affect your relationship?

“For couples trying to decide, it can have a big strain on your relationship. It’s good when you come to a compromise but better when you know you won’t regret the decision that you’ve made. For couples who’ve already gone through it, there’s no other person with arms more wide open to take you back than God.”

3. What suggestions can you give on people faced with this dilemma?

“I think it’s the best time to turn to God. What other better time than when things are going topsy-turvy. Just stick with him and ask not what you or your partner wants but what God wants. ”

 Malam Steven age 23/male: New Ireland Province 

1. What do you think about abortion?

“It’s usually up to the girl to make and the thing is it takes two people to conceive a child so both people should be involved in deciding. I know some guys can abandon the girls so it can be tough. Abortion would never have to happen if people were more responsible.”

2. How can abortion affect your relationship?

“Like I said, it can break up your relationship…I don’t know about any couple that can keep aborting children and staying together but sometimes it can bring a couple closer together and maybe make them change for the better…

3. What suggestions can you give on people faced with this dilemma?

“From the top of my head, be supportive of each other more than ever. Don’t be selfish…especially guys, be there for the girls more than ever and get through the whole situation… help her make the right decision.”

Spontaneous abortion

Main article: MiscarriageSpontaneous abortions, generally referred to as miscarriages, occur when an embryo or fetus is lost due to natural causes before the 20th week of gestation. A pregnancy that ends earlier than 37 weeks of gestation, if it results in a live-born infant, is known as a “premature birth“. When a fetus dies in the uterus at some point late in gestation, beginning at about 20 weeks, or during delivery, it is termed a “stillbirth“. Premature births and stillbirths are generally not considered to be miscarriages although usage of these terms can sometimes overlap.Most miscarriages occur very early in pregnancy. Between 10% and 50% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, depending upon the age and health of the pregnant woman.^[11] In most cases, they occur so early in the pregnancy that the woman is not even aware that she was pregnant.The risk of spontaneous abortion decreases sharply after the 8th week.^[12] This risk is greater in those with a known history of several spontaneous abortions or an induced abortion, those with systemic diseases, and those over age 35. Other causes can be infection (of either the woman or fetus), immune response, or serious systemic disease. A spontaneous abortion can also be caused by accidental trauma; intentional trauma to cause miscarriage is considered induced abortion or feticide.

Induced abortion

A pregnancy can be intentionally aborted in many ways. The manner selected depends chiefly upon the gestational age of the fetus, in addition to the legality, regional availability, and doctor-patient preference for specific procedures.

Surgical abortion

Gestational age may determine which abortion methods are practiced.In the first twelve weeks, suction-aspiration or vacuum abortion is the most common method.^[13] Manual vacuum aspiration, or MVA abortion, consists of removing the fetus or embryo by suction using a manual syringe, while the Electric vacuum aspiration or EVA abortion method uses an electric pump. These techniques are comparable, differing in the mechanism used to apply suction, how early in pregnancy they can be used, and whether cervical dilation is necessary. MVA, also known as “mini-suction” and menstrual extraction, can be used in very early pregnancy, and does not require cervical dilation. Surgical techniques are sometimes referred to as STOP: ‘Suction (or surgical) Termination Of Pregnancy’. From the fifteenth week until approximately the twenty-sixth week, a dilation and evacuation (D & E) is used. D & E consists of opening the cervix of the uterus and emptying it using surgical instruments and suction.Dilation and curettage (D & C) is a standard gynecological procedure performed for a variety of reasons, including examination of the uterine lining for possible malignancy, investigation of abnormal bleeding, and abortion. Curettage refers to cleaning the walls of the uterus with a curette. The World Health Organization recommends this procedure, also called sharp curettage, only when MVA is unavailable.^[14] The term “D and C”, or sometimes suction curette, is used as a euphemism for the first trimester abortion procedure, whichever the method used.Other techniques must be used to induce abortion in the third trimester. Premature delivery can be induced with prostaglandin; this can be coupled with injecting the amniotic fluid with caustic solutions containing saline or urea. After the 16th week of gestation, abortions can be induced by intact dilation and extraction (IDX) (also called intrauterine cranial decompression), which requires surgical decompression of the fetus’s head before evacuation. IDX is sometimes termed “partial-birth abortion,” which has been federally banned in the United States. A hysterotomy abortion is an abortion procedure similar to a caesarean section, and is performed under general anesthesia because it is considered major abdominal surgery. The procedure requires a smaller incision than a caesarean section and is used during later stages of pregnancy.^[15]From the 20th to 23rd week of gestation, an injection to stop the fetal heart can be used as the first phase of the surgical abortion procedure.^[16]

Medical abortion

Main article: Medical abortionEffective in the first trimester of pregnancy, medical (sometimes called chemical abortion), or non-surgical abortions comprise 10% of all abortions in the United States and Europe. Combined regimens include methotrexate or mifepristone, followed by a prostaglandin (either misoprostol or gemeprost: misoprostol is used in the U.S.; gemeprost is used in the UK and Sweden.) When used within 49 days gestation, approximately 92% of women undergoing medical abortion with a combined regimen completed it without surgical intervention.^[17] Misoprostol can be used alone, but has a lower efficacy rate than combined regimens. In cases of failure of medical abortion, vacuum or manual aspiration is used to complete the abortion surgically.

Other means of abortion

Bas-relief at Angkor Wat, dated circa 1150, depicting a demon performing an abortion by pounding a mallet into a woman’s belly.Historically, a number of herbs reputed to possess abortifacient properties have been used in folk medicine: tansy, pennyroyal, black cohosh, and the now-extinct silphium (see history of abortion).^[18] The use of herbs in such a manner can cause serious — even lethal — side effects, such as multiple organ failure, and is not recommended by physicians.^[19]Abortion is sometimes attempted by causing trauma to the abdomen. The degree of force, if severe, can cause serious internal injuries without necessarily succeeding in inducing miscarriage.^[20] Both accidental and deliberate abortions of this kind can be subject to criminal liability in many countries. In Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand, there is an ancient tradition of attempting abortion through forceful abdominal massage.^[21]Reported methods of unsafe, self-induced abortion include misuse of misoprostol, and insertion of non-surgical implements such as knitting needles and clothes hangers into the uterus. These methods are less frequently seen in developed countries where surgical means are legal and regionally-available.^[22]    

To get more information about abortion visit the following

Port Moresby – Susu Mama Inc PH# 323 2697/323 2528

Lae – Family and Planning (IPI Building 2^nd Floor

Or your nearest clinics throughout PNG.

For more information about the World Bank Youth Outreach Program visit our Blog that is www.yutokoutreach2007.wordpress.com or send us an email on yutokoutreach2007@gmail.com

Or call PH:321 7111 ask for Stanley, Dwain or Rex.

Teenage pregnancy is defined as an underage girl becoming pregnant. While women technically stay in their “teens” until the age of 20, the term is restricted to those under the age of legal adulthood, which are 18 in most countries in the world including Papua New Guinea.

The youngest mother on record is Lina Medina, who in 1939 gave birth to a boy at the age of five (5).

Lina Medina(born September 27, 1933 in Paurange, Peru) gave birth at the age of 5 years, 7 months and 21 days and is the youngest confirmed mother in medical history. This world record is closely followed by a similar case in Russia

However, most girls do not become fully fertile until much later; for example, the average age of (menarche) first menstrual period is between 10 -15 or few started at the age of 8 and 16-20.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teenage_pregnancyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lina_Medina 

Pregnant teenagers face many of the same (obstetrics) issues as women in their 20’s and 30’s.

However, there are additional medical concern for younger mothers, particularly those under 15 and those living in developing countries. For mothers between 15 and 19, age in itself is not a risk factor but additional risks may be associated with socioeconomic factors.

Such as lower education level, higher rates of poverty, and other poorer “life outcomes” in children of teenage mothers.

Teenage pregnancy in developed countries is usually outside of marriage, and carries a social stigma in many communities and cultures.

What most teenagers don’t understand about love is sex. They thought by having sex, their love relationship will last longer not knowing that sex apart from love, marriage, Friendship/relationship &Family is the only thing most relationship is about.

Everybody knows that making a relationship work is more than just going out on a few dates together. You have to have a balance of respect, trust, and honesty. Right? You tell us! How do you even define a “relationship” to begin with? What makes a strong, healthy one stand out?

           TIPS

1. Just because you think “everyone’s doing it. “Doesn’t mean they are. Some are. Some aren’t. And some are lying.
2. There are a lot of good reasons to say “no. not yet.” Protecting your feelings is one of them.
3. You’re in charge of your life. Don’t let anyone pressure you into having sex.
4. You can always say “no”-even if you’ve said “yes” before.
5. If you’re drunk or high you can’t make good decisions about sex. Don’t do something you might not remember or might really regret.
6. Sex won’t make him/her yours and a baby won’t make him stay.

  Survey Responses:

Some questions and responses collected during the surveys are as follows:

1. How do you deal with teenage pregnancy whilst in a PNG institution?

CA: I will escape from school if students know I am the father of the baby.

BD: If, if my girlfriend is pregnant I will ask her to skip school that year and continue the following year.

SJ:I will leave school and go back to the village and become a Permanente mother for life.

BS: I will leave school after gibing birth I will attend College or Technical institution find early employment to help my child.

JR: If the school expelled me and my friend I will ask my Parent’s for me to marry her.

EG: My girlfriend’s pregnancy would be a decision reached between me and her. A reason to marry her, In case her parents might dispute our marriage unless it happened accidentally. I would advise her to take abortions. She would have to stay away from school and re-enroll the following year.

MK: Everyone within the community will talk about her and ignore her. The immediate family will be very embarrassed about the situation because people will criticize them.

KR: Well, if I was teen boyfriend faced with the prospect of early parenthood and no employment, I’d bloody well tell to get an abortion.

HH: Through counselors trained especially in this area. Or get psychiatrist do deal with teenager concern because at times like they are emotionally disturbed and need to feel loved or cared for.

CA:If it ever happened to me, I would perhaps withdraw from school, that’s if I am in a tertiary institution. After I have the baby, I will return the following year to complete my studies. But if it did happen in high/secondary school, I would probably quit school forever. Stay at home becomes a fulltime mum.

JT: There is a tradition in university and especially girls think they will miss out on boy/girl relationships so there are unnecessary pregnancies. Especially in university, there is influence for males/females to get involved in sexual behaviors.

VM: I don’t like it because it disturbs the girl’s future…their studies.

MY: it’s common mostly because girls are pressured into it. They think that if they have a child with someone, they would be better off, especially if they drop out of school.

GK: It’s a big hindrance to her education especially if she has to look after a child.

KH: It’s bad if a girl’s pregnant. She should be removed from school. It takes nine months for pregnancy and she will be in classes where people will see her and it will bring a bad name to the school.

LS: It’s a normal thing providing that the pregnancy was intended. If it wasn’t I pity the teenagers.”

AT: I don’t agree because it paints a bad picture of the institution if they attend classes whilst pregnant and also the pressure of the workload in school will be harmful both to the mother and her unborn child.

1. Should there be an avenue within the education department to accommodate teen pregnancy?

CA: Yes, I think there should be an avenue.
BD: Yes, definitely the education department should accommodate pregnant teenagers.

SJ: Yes, there should be an avenue for teenage pregnancy.

BS: Yeah, I don’t see how teenage pregnancy is affecting the schools which expelled teenagers who are pregnant with their partners.

JC: Yes, Educational Institute should let pregnant teenagers stay in school until when their ready to gibe birth let those 2 or 3 weeks leave from school to give birth after that they can continue schooling.

EG: According to statistics, the rate of increased teenage pregnancy, yes definitely. Peer education, student counseling, subject at primary and secondary schools should deal mostly with awareness of human reproductive system.

MK: There must be a class or a subject taught at the high schools, especially or mostly to deal with counseling.

KR: No!! Such will only encourage teens to engage in risky sexual adventures (increasing chances of not only pregnancy but also STI’s) because they know there’s always a second chance.

HH: Yes, I think the education department should come up with regulations that would prohibit teenage pregnancies. Life for instance, fines imposed on those who are not married but fall pregnant during the school year.

Other approaches would be to emphasize:

·        Abstinence and

·        The use of contraceptives.

CA: Definitely. Probably set up schools that would accommodate for these mothers (teenagers) so they are not left out but have the opportunity to complete their education.

JT: I think when a girl is pregnant; she shouldn’t be kicked out of school. Education is a human right. When you kick them out of school, you are depriving them.

VM: Instead of sending them home, it would be a good idea to create facilities within schools to cater for them because education is more important.

MY: Yes they should because they have an education and sometimes it’s not of their own intentions that they got pregnant in the first place.

GK: It may be a costly exercise but they should try set up schools for teenage mothers so at least they complete their education.

KH: Yes, if there is money to set up something like this maybe it’s possible. They should be helped.

LS: Yes, to address the issue, because of the situation they are in, they can miss out on education which is a right. People should be educated mo matter what.

AT: It would be much better if their spaces were kept to come back to after giving birth. A new born baby needs all of the mother, not what’s left over after along day at school.

Campaigning is the process of mobilising people to join together to take action to challenge the powerful to make decisions to help benefit, not harm the powerless.

It is about tackling the causes of injustice by challenging those structures, policies and practices which serve to keep the poor in poverty.

Campaigning can involve writing letters to politicians, signing petitions, lobbying, marches, boycotts, demonstrations, prayer vigils, publicity stunts, media work etc

It is directed against a target to achieve a specific result.

But in our case has we all know Papua New Guinea is a free and Democratic country every person has the right to express their views and opinions on any and everything he/she thinks is right or wrong.

So for this years election you has a Papua New Guineans has the right to campaign for any candidate you prefer.

But apart from choosing the right candidates here are some few tips you should thinks about:

• Think of Integrity and honesty.
• Think of a leader who has skills and ideas to become a leader.
• Think of a leader who will become a slave to the people.
• Think of a leader who knows the difficulties, our country is facing.
• Think of a leader who can make a different to the situation we face with our economic, education, unemployment, poverty and many more………….

Don’t be fool by this:

It’s not what you say. It’s what you’re talking about

All campaigns are helped or hurt by certain issues. Your candidate may have the greatest answers on education, but if education is an issue that helps your opponent more than you, you’re fighting a losing battle even bringing it up. Start your campaign by defining which issues help your candidate, and don’t talk about anything else.

The key is to make the race “about” one of your key issues. List issues for your candidate and issues for your opponent. If your race becomes about one of your opponent’s issues, you lose.

Issues only matter if they define your candidate

Most voter polls show a great affinity for issues, but issues aren’t an end in themselves. Few votes actually turn on one issue. What voters mean by “voting on issues” is that they use the issues in a campaign to determine the character of a candidate. If your candidate’s issues can’t be connected together and articulated in a theme, change them until you can. You must give a clear, consistent and favorable definition of who your candidate is. People want to vote for candidates like themselves, and can forgive an issue difference here and there if the theme represents values similar to the voters.

Make them fight for their base

If someone aligned with your opponent is running in a simultaneous race nearby, find an issue that they disagree on and push it. If not, do the same with positions contrary to his supporters. Chances are, your opponent doesn’t want a lead story about how he is out of touch with his own side, and it reminds his donors and voters that your opponent isn’t always on their side, either. Make him waste time and money shoring up people in his base while you take the middle.

Better to say the same thing ten times then to say ten things once

Nothing frustrates a candidate more than giving the same answer a thousandth time, except maybe losing the race, which he most surely will if he doesn’t. When the candidate is sick of saying it, that’s when people are beginning to listen to it. Many times, campaigns are months of rehearsal for a week of performance. Stick to your message no matter how boring it is for a candidate who loves the thought of knowing everything about everything. It’ll pay off when it counts.

Tie every Q&A to your general theme, and from there back to one of your key issues. If a question is not in your candidate’s key areas, answer it briefly – very briefly – and bridge back to your themes and a key issue of yours. You can’t articulate your theme too often.

Negative should not mean angry

Reagan was a master. You can say very negative things with a smile and a shake of the head and not appear negative. When voters say they hate negative politics, what they mean is they hate angry politics. If your tone is positive and your look is upbeat, you can say things as negative as you want and voters will chuckle with you, and hate your opponent for being angry about it.

Never campaign to your base

Especially with paid media. They’ll turn out. They’ll vote for you. They aren’t going to switch parties because of your race. I do not mean ignore them. Invite them to your rallies. Call them for advice. Ask them to spend a day campaigning with your candidate. But don’t spend a dime of paid media reaching them or promoting issues mainly for their benefit. Go for the middle, or make a stab at the opponent’s base instead.

Remember you cant change the past but you can change the future.

  Survey Responses:

Some questions and response colleted during the survey are as follows:

1. Would your relationship influence who you campaign for? Explain?

EK: “Yes, am currently in this situation. My girlfriend and I are form the same electorate, but we are campaigning for different candidates. Am not sure out relationship will last or not, but I hope it will last for as long as it takes.”

JB: “Not exactly, we would discuss but this will not influence us.”

SS: “Yes, coz I always listen and follow my boyfriend ideas coz he his smart, intelligent and above all I really love him.”

BJP: “Am really not sure my boyfriend and I live in the same province and same district but we’re not interested in campaign or elections.”

PJ: No, my girlfriend and I are so close we share everything together that’s why I don’t think it will influence us.

GT: Yes, I could have a candidate as my choice but then if my boyfriend could influence and convince me to go for whom he likes I guess I would easily follow.

JJ: I don’t know why I will just follow him.

KB: “No, it wouldn’t. I will make my choice based on my own judgment.

RR: “It wouldn’t because every person has a right to their opinion and I would always want to make my own choice.”

GP: “Yes, We would discuss about candidates but it wouldn’t influence my decision. It’s a free country. Every one has to make right to make their own decision about who to campaign for. It’s ‘national suffrage’. It’s preferable for her to make her decision and her choice but it’s about making the right decisions and choices.”

1. What do you say about the current election campaign? How has it affected your relationship?

EK: “No, because it is a free country and every person has the right to express his/her own political judgments

JB: “I would say this years campaign and about my relationship I don’t have a steady girlfriend so I don’t know weather it will affect our relationship or not but, has for my families my parents are arguing my mom and dad are currently campaigning for different candidates.”

SS: “I think the only affect it has on our relationship is it makes us to share our ideas on who to vote for and also influence my boyfriend to start listening to my opinions.”

BJP: “About the campaigns I think it’s noting like the previous one there noise here noise there every where.

Everywhere you try to go people talk about which candidates to campaign and elect and so fort.

About my relationship with my friend I don’t think it has any affect with us.

Have I told you already we’re not interested in Politics?”

PJ: “The current election campaign has not even on affects on my relationship.”

KB: “We debated a lot about who has the best interest of the people. It was interesting to learn the different ideas we have and how we see our people, our leaders and things like integrity, honesty, power and money.”

RR: “I don’t have one in which to experience whether the campaign affects it or not.”

GP: “It has not influenced anything about me having a relationship with a girl. We don’t live for this. Campaigning is not a risk unless the decision you make doesn’t settle well with your girlfriend. Don’t put your girlfriend aside and make the campaign very important.”

The purpose of an arranged marriage is to form a new family unit by marriage while respecting the chastity of all people involved. As suggested by the term, an arranged marriage is typically arranged by someone other than the persons getting married, curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages are numerous in the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia. Other groups that practice this custom include the Unification Movement, royal families and Hindus.Note that the term “arranged marriage” is used even if the parents have no direct involvement in selecting the spouse. The match could be selected by a matchmaking agent, matrimonials site, or trusted third party. In many communities, priests or religious leaders as well as trusted relatives or family friends play a major role in matchmaking.The pattern of arranged marriage may be employed for other reasons beside the formation of a promising new family unit. In such marriages, typically economic or legal reasons take precedence over the goal of selecting a well matching couple. Though critics are not always specific, criticism of arranged married usually targets abuses such as forced marriage and child marriage. 

General Summary: From the survey Reponses receive most of the 90% of the youths think it is a good moral for culture and heritage. While the 10% think that it is not a good idea to be in an arrange marriage coz it is up to each individual to choose his/her own partner in life.

Survey Questions:

1. What do you think about arrrang4 marriage?
2. If you were I an arrang3 marriage what do you think about it? How would it affect our relationship?
3. And if not arrange marriage what do you recommend?
4. Any further comment?

Survey responses:

TOPIC:     ARRANGED MARRIAGE  PETER ALUMEDI age 24/ male: Madang and Milne Bay Provinces 

1. What do you think about arranged marriages?

“It is morally good for culture and heritage. However, more and more people are getting to know partners away from the cultural background as people move around to get educated, find jobs and that. Arranged marriage is bad because I believe the guy or girl will grow to dislike the partner.”

2. How would an arranged marriage affect your relationship?

“It will take me a longer period to get to know the person, like the person and even love and accept the person as a partner. Otherwise, I just wouldn’t want to get to know the lady.”

3. If not arranged marriage what do you prescribe. Any further comments?

“Arranged marriage should not take place. At the age of 16, youth should be allowed to socialize and get to know others. Ask them about their views and whether they prefer arranged marriage. The thing about arranged marriages is that it will always be in conflict of interest of either partners”

 FIONA WARTOVO age 26/female: East New Britain Province 

1. What do you think about arranged marriages?

“I think it’s a good way to keep tradition and especially nowadays there are so many intermarriages and people forget their customs and traditions.”

2. How would an arranged marriage affect your relationship?

“I guess it depends on the individual person but I think it would better family ties. Your ties become stronger and you can link to different clans. In terms of land, it is very important.”

3. If not arranged marriage what do you prescribe. Any further comments?

“There is always other options. Arranged marriage is just one and it doesn’t mean it can apply to everyone. Of course there may be pressures from one’s family to have an arranged marriage but it’s up to each individual.”

  ANCILLA POYAT, age 25/female: Manus Province 

1. What do you think about arranged marriages?

“They are a thing of the past. Times are changing and people need to understand that. It’s not as if people cannot find their own partners. People should be allowed the freedom to do so.”

2. How would an arranged marriage affect your relationship?

“If I just didn’t like the person, I would feel trapped and I would wonder if the person really liked me because it would not be of my own free will. Sometimes pressures from family result in depression and suicide. It’s not a nice thought. It shouldn’t be about what your family wants, it should be about what makes you happy. After all, you’re the one to live with that decision.”

3. If not arranged marriage what do you prescribe. Any further comments?

“Get out there and find your own partner, your soul mate. And make it clear to your family from the start that no arranged marriage is going to work for you.”

 TERENCE URIM, age 25/male: East Sepik Province 

1. What do you think about arranged marriages?

“Well, what your family thinks is very important. Some people like to keep that pride in their family so arranged marriage becomes an important trait. I personally dislike the idea of my family interfering in my personal affairs.”

2. How would an arranged marriage affect your relationship?

“Frankly, we wouldn’t get along and I just… it would be unbearable. You cannot just pick two people and expect them to click and for them to be in love. It’s stone age mentality. With globalization we need to open up our minds and not be shallow in our thinking.”

3. If not arranged marriage what do you prescribe. Any further comments?

“I would encourage people to find love themselves. You cannot chose who you love… that doesn’t mean arranged marriage will work. I believe there is someone out there for everyone.

 WEANA JONATHAN, age 24/female: Milne Bay Province 

1. What do you think about arranged marriages?

“I don’t know for this to exist anymore in my province except in rare cases, in villages perhaps. I’m not a big fan of it because I know for a fact that it is not about the happiness of an individual but more like family interest. It even happened in royalty for land or wealth gain.”

2. How would an arranged marriage affect your relationship?

“You wouldn’t know the person and the thought of spending the rest of your life with some stranger is scary. You miss out on the opportunity to actually find that other person, you know the one meant for you  - your soulmate.”

3. If not arranged marriage what do you prescribe. Any further comments?

“Just don’t go desperately searching to find that other person. Stop looking, and start praying. If you’re worried about finding that other person. Imagine how God feels about it. I’m sure he will come back to you with nothing short of your soul – mate.”

The most striking immediate change accompanying urbanization is the rapid change in the prevailing character of local areas. As agriculture, more traditional local services, and small-scale industry give way to modern industry the urban and related commerce with the city drawing on the resources of an ever-widening area for its own sustenance and goods to be traded or processed into manufactures.

What are the causes of (Urbanization) or Rural to Urban drift? Why do people migrate to urban area or town and cities?

Rural to Urban drift happens in terms of many reasons.

 But some of the main reasons to Urbanization in PNG are;

Water Quality much of the rainfall in watersheds having forests and pastures is absorbed into the porous soils (infiltration), is stored as ground water, and moves back into streams through seeps and springs. Thus, in many rural areas, much of the rainfall does not enter streams all at once, which helps prevent flooding. When areas are urbanized, much of the vegetation and top soil is replaced by impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, and pavement. When natural land is altered, rainfall that used to be absorbed into the ground now must be collected by storm sewers that send the water runoff into local streams. These streams were not “designed by nature” to handle large amounts of runoff, and, thus, they can flood.

 Economy

-Seeking Employment

- Informal Sector (Market)

Village Infrastructure & Standards too low  Housing Problem

-         Increase Rental fees

 Unemployment

-         Crime

-         Prostitution Unwanted Squatter Settlement

-         Poverty

-           

What can be done to prevent Urbanization Problems in PNG?

Improve Agriculture& Cash Crops

-         Find International and Local Markets for Cash Crops

-         Road & Communication Infrastructure to enable easy access for buyers to access remote areas and easy access to communication for services and development purposes.

 Introduce more Agriculture trainings to rural village levels also Technical and Home Economical courses to rural village levels.And Introduce (ICT) Information Communication Technology

-         improve communication

-         information

-         make available market

-         find buyers International & Local

Survey Responses:

1. What are your views on the current rural to urban drift?

“The current rural to urban drift is increasing at a very fast rate. As we can see from the numerous settlements in the city my views on the rural urban drift is that its bringing more problems for people living in the urban areas. Like law and order problems and over crowding”.

1. How would moving to a different setting/location affect your relationship with your partner?

 “In my opinion long distance relationship is quite hard to handle after being apart for so long. I would loose interest with my partner or I may meet some other person that may interest me thus, affecting my relationship.”

1. How would you accommodate for such changes your relationship?

      “Try to keep in contact more often and make sure that the love shared between us is still the same. Communication is vital to keep the relationship alive.”

1 What are your views on the current rural to urban drift?

“It’s becoming a common practice which is affecting the services of urban areas. The population is increased rapidly, settlement pop-up everywhere, and brings unnecessary burdens to struggling families in the cities who are being visited by relatives”.

2. How would moving to a different setting/location affect your relationship with your partner?

Financially, emotionally, socially of adopting to the new setting.

1. How would you accommodate for such changes in your relationship?

Take one day as it comes. Be positive of a better future. Help each other get through difficult times, seek advice.

   LISA NOPA age 21/ female: Central Province 

1. What are your views on rural – urban drift?

            “Most rural people, especially women, move into towns to look for guys who are

working so they don’t get pressure to do gardening or be locked indoors or look after their siblings”

2. How does moving to a different setting or location affect your relationship?

            “We get to forget each other when we see other faces. It’s both a good and a bad

thing. It’s how you manage the relationship.”

3. How do you accommodate such changes in your relationship?

“Make conditions. Whether you should be steady or allow each other to see other people. You should put conditions or limits as to how to go about it. Yes, whether to see other people or not.”

 Agnes Dowra age 24/ female: Milne Bay Province 

1. What are your views on rural – urban drift?

“I think the government is wholly responsible for this, the movement of people especially to urban areas should be managed because it’s clearly starting to cause a lot of problems and the government is still doing nothing about it. I hate the government.”

2. How does moving to a different setting or location affect your relationship?

“Well, a new environment takes getting used to and it would probably put some strain on your relationship. Different people, different places and ways of doing things… but it only means you both need to support each other more and in a way, it should make your relationship stronger. ”

3. How do you accommodate such changes in your relationship?

“Help each other out and know that you are not the only one feeling out of place. Spend more time together getting to know the place and simply have fun. That way, I’m sure you’ll fit in sooner.”

 Napoleon Waffi age 25/ male: Sepik Province 

1. What are your views on rural – urban drift?

“It’s not good. There are a lot of squatters and you can see this great divide between the rich and poor. The number of squatters are starting to outnumber the working class or people who can actually afford basic services. It’s a sad state and no government has effectively done something about it. It’s a pity, we always deny that we have problems and they’re just getting bigger and bigger.”

2. How does moving to a different setting or location affect your relationship?

“It would affect it badly if you were married and were not secure with a house and a job. People come to town like that and they either make it or they don’t. You need money to survive in towns and people need to understand that. City life is a big change and you need to deal with that change in your relationship. I don’t know how but maybe my relationship would have to experience it to know what it’s like.”

3. How do you accommodate such changes in your relationship?

“I think you should prepare in advance so that you can better accommodate such changes in your relationship. Secure a job, a house and the rest will fall in line. You know, dealing with getting used to the place and all of that.”

 STANLEY ELIZA age 22/male: Oro and Milne Bay Province 

1. What are your views on rural – urban drift?

“Lots of people are moving to towns nowadays but I think it’s better in the village. People should stay put. Why move to towns where people get desperate and steal. In the village it’s laid back but at least you don’t have to degrade yourself and live in poverty. Rural to urban drift must be stopped before the problem gets worse.”

2. How does moving to a different setting or location affect your relationship?

“I think I would tend to start missing my home town and I don’t know how it would go if my girlfriend actually fit in and I didn’t. We’d have to compromise and one would have to back down for the sake of the relationship or its goodbye to it. ”

3. How do you accommodate such changes in your relationship?

“My girlfriend really fits into the town life. So if she wants to be in town and concentrate on her career then that’s what will happen but I’d rather go back home. In the end, your decisions show what matters the most and it will also reflect on your relationship.”

Survey Questions:

1. Would past experience with Child abuse affect your relationship with your partner?
2. How do deal with a partner who is a victim of child abuse?
3. How can child abuse be prevented?