Saturday, September 17, 2011

Social Mapping and Baseline Study for Mur and Sel villages in Rai Coast district, Madang province, Papua New Guinea


By Leeray Letani Robin, Pita Gabu, Cabrinie Gatagot and Wenceslaus Magun

Date: 21st June 2009

Community Location

Part A – Mur Village – Ward 5, Saidor Local Level Government

Part B – Sel Village – Ward 3, Saidor Local Level Government

Content

1. Introduction
2. Activity

2. a – Mur community Report and Recommendation
2. b – Sel community Report and Recommendation

Introduction

Mur and Sel villages are about three to four hours by speed boat and are situated in East of Madang town in the Rai Coast District of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea.

Our team comprised of Peter Gabu, Cabrinie Gatagot and Leeray Robin. This was the first team’s visit into the two communities and team was asked to do Social Mapping and Baseline study for the leatherback turtles nesting beach project. The team understood that this community entry was the phase one of their overall strategy to achieve Makata’s project objective which is to establish locally managed marine protected area using conservation deeds.

The purpose of this trip was mainly to establish a relationship with the community, gain and maintain trust between each other and gather useful information about the community. The team was therefore conscious of their role as facilitators in ensuring that this first step is conducted diligently.

All the information collected in the two communities we visited, Mur and Sel were from the formal and informal meetings with the leaders and members of the communities by listening and questioning through story telling. The team did not carry out any interview and collect personnel information because they felt that this might raise expectations in the community.


Background

Rai Coast District is politically volatile and administratively challenging and exciting.

It consists of four (4) Local Level Government’s (LLG), ninety- six (96) wards and one hundred and ninety four (194) - census units. Respectively, the LLG’s are, Saidor, Astrolabe Bay, Naho-Rawa and recently proposed Nayudo.

The government provides basic services in education, health, law and order, transport and infrastructure and economic. The network of the services can be determined by assessing the number of government facilities and establishments in the communities that is, wards or LLG of the districts.

Rai Coast represents about 15% of the total population in the province. The estimated population of the district is about 56,300. The total Land Area for the district is 6,573 square kilometres (Km2). This distribution according to LLG area are as follows; Saidor LLG 2,979Km2, Astrolabe Bay with 1,710 Km2, Naho-Rawa with 1,220Km2 and proposed Nayudo with 664 Km2.

People on the Rai Coast require around four hours’ travel to reach Madang town, while those in the Finisterre range require up to eight hours’ travel. During the wet season, travel times from the Rai Coast to Madang rise significantly because of flooded unbridged rivers. Long Island is 70 km from Saidor and 130 km from Madang. It is the most remote part of the District as small boat travel is expensive and dangerous from December to March. People on Finisterre range are very remote and must walk to roads on the Rai Coast and in the Ramu Valley.

Access To Services

The lack of accessibility to government centres is exhibited in its poor infrastructure development. The district headquarter is located in Saidor and is accessible by air and sea from its three Local Level Government Centres namely Tauta for Nahu-Rawa; Ileg for Astrolabe Bay and Teptep for Nayudo. Saidor is in Rai Coast LLG and is the District Headquarter.

There is limited communication between the Local Level Governments and the District Headquarter because the road system, which links all its LLGs, is not in a good condition. Extension Officers from Tauta in Nahu-Rawa, travel by road to Walium, in Usino-Bundi District, then to Madang before arriving at Saidor in Rai Coast, either by air or sea. Therefore, due to these difficulties, the three modes of transport will have to be used.

The Madang/Saidor road, despite being a national road has been neglected over the past fifteen to twenty years. The road requires major upgrading, construction and sealing. Many major bridges have to be constructed over more than sixty-two (62) rivers before the road can provide any useful service to the people of Rai Coast District.


Patrol Schedule

Mur Village

Tuesday 2nd June 2009 – Team left Madang town and arrived in Mur village on a speed boat
Wednesday 3rd June – Team conducted village assessment and collected information
Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th – Team conducted one on one assessments and data collection
Monday 8th June – Team met with the rest of the community, thanked them and left in the afternoon for Sel Community

Sel Village

Monday 8th June – Team left Mur and walked to Sel village
Tuesday 9th to Wednesday 10th June – Team did community assessment one on one
Thursday 11th June – Team met with the leaders to gauge their views
Friday 12th of June – Team met with the rest of the communities to gauge their views
Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th June – Team conducted one on one community assessment
Monday 15th June – Team left Sel village and traveled on a speed boat to Madang town.

Debrief - Summary

The team met with Wenceslaus Magun on Tuesday June 23 for debriefing. The team indicated that leatherback turtles had in May and June nested along Mur beaches. (See Photo of a recent nesting site attached). Mur folklore indicates that one of their clans originated from the leatherback turtles (Attached see Tilom’s Story). This particular clan had traditional been leatherback callers. They would kill leatherbacks and exchange their meat for other food stuff with inland villages. There were no nesting sites in Sel as the tidal waves had destroyed their nesting beaches. Traditionally, Sel villages harvested leatherback turtles eggs. They did not kill leatherbacks as they did not like its fowl smell. Mur and Sel villagers informed the team that they were waiting anxiously for this project to start following a reconnaissance and awareness visit conducted by Howard from Bismarck Ramu Group and Wenceslaus in 2007. The team recommended that a follow-up patrol is needed to collect all other necessary information as well as to conduct a leadership training. The team also agreed that they will do this follow-up patrol in August 2009. In the meantime, Gabu and Cabrinie have agreed to conduct further research on related social mapping issues using relevant sources with the provincial, district resources and universities and all other available sources in Madang.

2a – Mur Community

The team met with the community leaders on Thursday 4th of June 2009. The meeting started at 4:30pm and ended at 5:30pm. In this meeting, the team introduced themselves, Mas Kagin Tapani (Makata) Association’s objectives and explained about the purpose of their visit. The team sought permission to stay and work with them. The four leaders they met with agreed and supported Makata’s objective. The Ward Member, Mr. Albert Dawiyai granted the team permission to work with his community. The leaders asked the team to meet again with the rest of the community on Monday to brief them again of what they had just discussed with the leaders.

Data Collected from Friday 5th June to Sunday 6th June

Ward 5 is made up of six communities: Mur, Somek, Kasu, Yasel and Nom plantation, with a total population of 1,334 people.

Mur is made up of one big village and several hamlets. They have seven major clans. Here are the clans and the number of people in each clan.

Clans and Population

1. Marasok – M = 136 –F= 109 – Total = 245
2. Maigomba - M = 72 – F=50 – Total = 122
3. Yakot - M = 69 – F= 42 – Total = 111
4. Kamdau - M = 72 – F = 26 – Total = 98
5. Sokila - M = 58 – F = 22 – Total = 80
6. Mur - M = 115 – F = 64 = Total = 179
7. Dawang - M = 112 – F = 56 = Total = 168

The population is: Male 634; Female 369; Total = 1003
(NB: The team needs to identify clans that own the beach were the turtles come to nest in the next patrol).

Language

Apart from the main language of the community there are three other different languages spoken by the clans. One is slowly dying out. (NB: The team needs to collect the names of the languages in the next patrol).

Government Leaders

Ward Councilor: Albert Dawiyai
Committee: Balthy Mator
Village Recorder: Kaimalang Dabaliga
Magistrate: Tom Ambalis
Village Court Clerk: Mandor Kwang
Peace Officer: Alfred Ningau
Ward Development Committee: Caspar Matela
Land Mediator: Noki Fola

Church Leaders

Lutheran: Bill Dabaliga
Catholic: Caspar Matela
Lutheran Mama Group: Lini Tilom

Basic Services

The nearest health center, primary school and other government service is at Saidor, the district headquarters, some two hours walk away from Mur. The only service in the community is the elementary school.

Health Center

Saidor Health Center

School

Saidor Primary School; Parui Primary School; and Kavi Elementary School

Business

Nom plantation is a few minutes walk from Mur and is runned by Benny Leahy. There is a retail store and a wholesale there where people get their store goods. The company also buys copra and wet bean cocoa from the people.


Partner Institutions

Apart from the health clinic team and the Catholic priest’s visits, Volunteer Service Organisation (VSO) under its Tokaut AIDS Programme is supporting the Kunai Paia Theater group from the area to carry out awareness of HIV/AIDS.

The Healthy Island concept is introduced in the area by World Vision/Divine Word University.
The Lutheran Development Service (LDS) is also working in the area on water supply and micro finance.

Primary Means of Transport

The nearest airstrip is at Saidor but most people cannot afford to meet the airfares. The most possible transport is by boat and dinghy. Their most frequent mode of transport is by walking.

Source of Income

The main source of income is cocoa and copra. Another source of income is by selling local crops at the market, like bettle nut (buai), mastard (daka), lime (kambang), peanut, greens, garden produce, fish etc at the local markets. Mr. Tilom Dabaliga also produces and sells organic stock feed, a skill he learnt from the agriculture officers based at Rai Coast District.

Other Information

Folklore:

(NB: The Team needs to collect the folklore on leatherback turtle and how it relates to Dawang clan in Mur village.

Mens House:

Mur villagers had Mens Houses in the past. They still have sacred sites.

They don’t sell turtle meat and eggs. Traditionally they killed turtles mainly to trade with the inland people for taro. Even today they still don’t sell them. They use it for their own consumption.

Mur villagers still practice traditional methodologies of achieving conservation outcomes. (NB: The Team needs to identify them in the next patrol)

On Monday 8th of June 2009, the team met with the community. A total of 35 people attended the meeting of which 15 were women. Mr. Gabu led the discussion by introducing the team, Makata’s objectives and further explained that this visit was a follow-up of the awareness done by Wence and Howard back in 2007. Mr. Robin stressed the purpose of their visit and told them that they were there to know more about their community and that they wanted to hear from them a lot. The team also explained that this visit was very important as it will prepare them and prepare the team for the training workshop in the next patrol should there be any. Cabrinie added by asking two key survey questions: What they were happy about and What they fear about most at this time.

Happiness, Fear and Worry

What they are happy about is that their land and sea which provides everything they need. They are also happy about their customs and culture and their life in the village.

What they fear is their land. They don’t want the government to take their land rights away from them. They feel that they are part of their land and fear of losing that connection.

What they are worried about is the destructions that the mining companies will cause on the environment and the population of their resources both on land and sea.

The meeting started at 11:30am and finished at 1:00pm.

Community Assessment

Mur villagers and their leaders are very co-operative. The community is well organized and highly motivated to work with Makata in conserving their marine resources.

Team Assessment

Despite the time period being too short, the team managed to collect most of the necessary information needed. Teamwork is very good.

Feedback

Mur villages have welcomed Makata to continue its work with them. They are happy with the objectives of Makata.

Recommendation

After the assessment, the team recommended that Makata will continue with Phase Two of the process which is Community Development Training – Part One: PNG Pre-History Timeline in the next visit.


PART TWO

2a – Sel Community


Sel river one of many clear, clean, crystal and rapid streams. A good source for hydro power. Photo: Leeray Robin



The team met with the leaders on Thursday 11th June 2009, from 11.30am -3.30pm at the main meeting area. Sixteen Community leaders attended the meeting including the ward member Eddie Tasi.

After each team member introduced themselves, they took turn to introduce Makata and its objective. They further explained their reason for being in the community.

The leaders seemed satisfied with the introduction and explanation and allowed the team to stay and work with them. The team told them that they were going to stay for a week and gave an open invitation to anyone including the leaders to go and talk to them anytime whilst they were there.

The leaders arranged another meeting with the community on Friday 12th June 2009. This meeting started at 1.00pm and ended at 4.30pm with a total of 27 people of whom six were female. Every thing from the introduction down was the same as what they did in the first meeting they had held with the leaders.

Background

Ward 3 is made up to three villages; Seure, Sel and Baru. The total population is 1009.
Sel is made up of one main village and several hamletls. The total number of people is 506.

They have five major clans and they are:
a) Dagarup – Sub Clan: 1) Pengum; 2) Katibui; 3) Murubel; 4) Gung Gung Sa
b) Satmang,
c) Manbol,
d) Erek and
e) Deganang

Erek, Dagarup and Satmang clans own the land along the sea shore

Ereck’s Clan Leader – Mathew Abata
Dagarub Sub Clan Leaders (Pengum) – Dages Erro and (Katibui) – Parima Erro)


Government Leaders:

Ward member : Eddie Tasi
Committee: Sakaria Siga
Recorder: Farimak Siga
Ward Dev.Committee : Lutu Yatiyaring
Magistrate: Andipas Jolly
Land Mediator : Siga (Deceased)

Church Leaders:

Lutheran Church: Sake Dabung
Seventh Day Adventist: Luke Lingut
Christ for the Nation: Yaren Levi

Existing Groups

After the leatherback awareness was done by Howard and Wence back in 2007, Sel villagers had appointed some community members to take lead in the project. Here are the names and title of those appointed:

Peter Semen: Coordinator
Mathias Alak: Treasurer
Luke Lingut: Secretary
Malcholm Arnam: Chairman

They have Lutheran, Four Square, Christ For The Nation and Catholic Church. Apart from the clan, church and sports groups there are no other organized groups.

Basic Services

Education

There is an Parui Elementary School and Parui Primary School at Sel. These are government agency schools.

Health

The nearest aid post is at Seure, some 30 minutes walk and its run by the Lutheran Health Services. There is a good road linking Sel to Saidor, where all the government services are and its three hours walk from Sel.

Micro-Finance

Lutheran Development Services (LDS) is working in the area doing water supply for the aid post and introducing the micro finance scheme in community under the name “ Putim Na Kisim”.

NGO’s & CBO’s

VSO, under the “Tokaut Aids” supported a local theatre group from the area to do awareness about HIV/AIDS. The Bismarck Ramu Group is also doing its land and mining awareness campaign in the area

Primary Means of Transport

Most people prefer sea transport. The most reliable means of transport is speed boat, but they can travel by plane from Saidor District, or ride on bicycle

Main Source of Income

Cocoa and copra is the main source of income. Another source of income is by selling betel nut (buai), mustard (daka), lime (kambang), peanuts and other local crops at the market as well as fish.

Other Information

Land

Land issue is very sensitive in the community as there are disputes between major clans and sub- clans; thus, the people hesitated to give the names of sub-clans.

Hausman

They used to have sacred mens house (haus Tambaran). Today they practice the initiation in the clan and family groups in fear of sorcery. This new system use modern drugs to heal sore.

Turtle Meat and Eggs

Traditionally, they traded the turtle meat with the inland people for taro. They don’t sell the meat, even today people don’t eat turtle meat because of the unpleasant smell, but they do eat the eggs.

Folklore (Tumbuna) Story

Once upon a time in the village of Sel, they lived a clan group called Dagarup. They settled in a small hamlet at the end of Mt Tinigai, facing the sea. In the centre of the hamlet, they built a hausman and in the hausmen, they placed a totem-pole with a carved eagle at the top of the pole with wings spread out.

Every morning when the people went out to their gardens in the bush the carved eagle used to change into an eagle and flew out in search of food. It would return to its place before the people return home from their gardens.

One day, everyone went out as usual but a young boy was left behind as he was still asleep. When he woke up there was no one around so he decided to go and stay at the hausman till everyone return. As he was sitting there he heard a loud noise like a strong wind and when he turned around, he saw the totem-pole moved out of the ground and the pig was dropped into the pit where the pole was placed, and the pole moved back to its position and killed the pig.

The boy was startled by what he saw and couldn’t wait to tell everyone. When the people came back from their daily activities, he told them that he say something unusual in the houseman. The villagers asked him to tell them the whole story but he was too hungry to tell the story and asked them to prepare his meal with chicken so he would tell his story after eating. After he finished the food prepared for him he began the story of what happened during the day. After the people heard the story they discussed and decided to burn the houseman and the totem pole.

They surrounded the house the next day and lit the fire and burnt the grass roof, Everyone watched the hausman went up in flames. When the house was down with ashes, the totem pole and the eagle stood in the middle with no single part burnt.

As the people watched open mouth and eyes the pole moved, shook and made its way out of where it stood and jumped into the sea.

Today, you can see the totem pole with the carved eagle standing out in the sea from where it went down in the story. It usually shows up when its time comes

Note:

This story is from the Dagarup clan and today, the clan’s soccer club is called “Saba Irangi” which means “Jumping pole or “pos i kalap” in their language.

Community Assessment

The villagers approach to the team was good. The team however noted that the community was not organized. There’s so many different kinds of disputes within the community for instance on the land ownership. Nonetheless, the leaders expressed interest for Makata to bring the turtle conservation project to their community.

Recommendation

1) The team will return to Sel to conduct a community development training
2) The team will also conduct further research to identify turtle nesting sites, dates, months and any related folklores but not limited to these tasks.

Books for Bagabag



PRIMARY school chil-dren on Bagabag Island, Madang, will now have a variety of books to read, thanks to a donation from the World Bank and Cathy Edmunds of the Port Moresby International School.
All this was the work of someone who is passionate about protecting endangered marine tur¬tles and at the same time empowering communities with knowledge.
National coordinator of Makata Associa¬tion Wenceslaus Magun made the presentation of books to a village leader of Bagabag Island, Wag¬ing Bidang, in Port Mo¬resby on Tuesdays.

P21-The National
25/08/2011

MAS KAGIN TAPANI ASSOCIATION, INC. ORGANISATIONAL PROFILE












TABLE OF CONTENTS





1. Vision………………………………………………………………………………… page 3

2. Mission…………………………………………………………………………………page 3

3. Background/History……………………………………………………page 3

4. Partnership and Network….…………………………………page 3-4

5. Organizational Structure……………………………………page 5

6. Governance……………………………………………………………………… page 6

7. Staff/Pro-bono Volunteers…............page 6

8. Core Programs and Campaigns……………………………page 6

9. Target Areas……………………………………………………………………..page 6-7

10. Fund Raising Drive and Current Donors……page 7


1. Vision:

To protect and restore the declining population of the critically endangered leatherback turtles and other endangered sea turtles and to ensure that the Bismarck Solomon Seas marine resources and its indigenous people remain healthy, safe and prosperous.

2. Mission:

To work with local communities to protect and restore the declining population of the critically endangered Pacific leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) turtles and other endangered turtle species and strive to restore and protect the health and safety of the marine resources and its indigenous people as their voice in the Bismarck Solomon Seas.

3. Background/History:

MAKATA is a not for profit advocacy NGO established in April 2009. The main reason for its establishment was to sustain the Sea Turtle Restoration and Protection Project (STRP) which was established in 2006 by Wenceslaus Magun, who was then contracted by Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN), a 501c3 non-profit organization in US as their Western Pacific Campaigner. By December 2009, TIRN ceased funding this project but has supported its sustainability with the initial funding for its establishment.

With support from key advisory board members, pro-environmental justice individuals, local communities that share the beaches and waters with sea turtles, we continue to carry out activities in ways that also make cultural and economic sense to communities we work with.

We strive to achieve this goal by continuing our efforts to empower people to protect and restore the local sea turtle populations, with an emphasis on the endangered leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). We do this through grassroots education, advocacy, consumer empowerment, and strategic litigation and by promoting sustainable local, national and international marine policies.

While sea turtles are emblematic of a wide array of marine and terrestrial resources at risk of exploitation in PNG, a general lack of regulation has prompted foreign fishing, mining and logging companies to exploit PNG’s need for revenue for a stake in the nation’s rich resources. This affects not only marine life but also the future of coastal communities that derive much of their subsistence from the sea.

Our office is located at section 229, Lot 61, Salote Street, Tokarara in Port Moresby. We intend to relocate the office to a more suitable location when we secure sufficient funds and recruit additional staff to cater for increase in demand for our services.

4. Partnerships and Network

MAKATA became a fully fledged member of the Mineral Policy Institute in Australia(MPI) in 2010 when our national coordinator, was elected onto MPI’s board. Through this network, MAKATA is able to share information, collaborate on different campaigns, and receive support from members in its campaign and advocacy work.

To strengthen effective and collaborative relationship with local communities where its projects are located, Makata has on its board of directors, representatives of the Duergo Community Development Association of Karkum village and the Gildipasi Planning Committee. The Gildipasi Planning Committee represents the villages of Tokain, Yadigam, Magubem along the coast and neighboring villages including Simbukanam whose clans have established their forest management area using conservation deed.

MAKATA’s efforts have been recognized by the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), the WWF-Western Melanesia and the Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) who have supported its activities through grants and other resources.

The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Secretary, Dr. Wari Iamo has also pledged support for MAKATA’s activities and has directed his marine division to look into ways to support this project.

MAKATA has recently applied to become a registered member of the Center for Environmental Law and Community Rights Inc. (CELCOR) a not-for-profit local NGO that conducts legal and advocacy programs to protect the rights of the indigenous resource owners in PNG (www.celcor.org.pg).

Our National Coordinator continues to build relationship and partnership with other stakeholders and partners in PNG and in the region. His recent meetings with representatives of the PNG Ports corporation paves way for breaking new grounds in partnering with corporate entities whose business affects both the marine environment and the livelihood of those who live off it.

4. Organizational Structure:


5. Governance:

MAKATA is governed by a board which is made up of volunteers from various agencies, local communities’s community based organisations and corporations. The current board members are:
1. Mr. Leo Yat Paol - Chairman (Gildipasi Planning Committee)
2. Mrs. Tamalis Akus – V/Chairperson and Legal Advisor (British High Commission Staff)
3. Mrs. Cecila Magun - Treasurer (Director Large Business and International Audit - Internal Revenue Commission)
4. Miss. Majorie Warisaiho – Board Member (CELCOR)
5. Mr. Adolf Lilai – Board Member (Duergo Community Development, Karkum Village)
6. Mr. Daniel Waiyat – Board Member ( Former BSP Waigani Branch Manager)

6. MAKATA’s current staff/pro-no volunteers:

I. Mr. Wenceslaus Magun – National Coordinator (Full Time staff)
II. Mrs. Cecilia Magun – Pro-bono Accountant (Volunteer)
III. Mrs. Tamalis Akus (Attorney) – Pro-bono Policy Lawyer (Volunteer)
IV. Mr. Adolf Lilai - (GPS assistance) – Pro-bono (Volunteer)
V. Mr. Arthur Ganubela – (DEC staff & GPS specialist) – Pro-bono (Volunteer)
VI. Mr. Job Opu – (PNG Ports staff & Marine biologist) – Pro-bono (Voluteer)
VII. Mr. Pita Gabu – Community Development Trainer – Pro-bono (Volunteer)
VIII. Mr. Leeray Robin – Community Development Trainer – Pro-bono (Volunteer)
IX. Ms. Cabrinie Gatagot – Community Development Trainer – Pro-bon (Volunteer)
X. Mr. Alfred Kaket – Simbukanam Village Role Model & Community Facilitator (Pro-bono Volunteer)
XI. Miss. Marjorie Warisaiho BSc (Environmental Science) – Pro-bono CBO Liaison & Administration Assistance (Volunteer)


7. Core Programs and Campaigns:

MAKATA currently has two programs which included:
• Sea Turtle Restoration and Protection Project and
• Advocacy, Campaign and Networking

These programs are laying the foundation for MAKATA to deliver its turtle conservation and advocacy support services to affected communities in PNG.

8. Target Areas:

Target communities and community based organizations, partner NGOs, and other stakeholders in Madang Province MAKATA currently works with include:
1. Karkum Village – Sumkar District
2. Mirap Village – Sumkar District
3. Tokain Village – Sumkar District
4. Malas Village – Sumkar District
5. Dibor Village – Sumkar District
6. Pepaur Village – Sumkar District
7. Bagabag Island - Sumkar District
8. Mur Village – Rai coast District
9. Baru Village – Rai coast District
10. Sel Village – Rai coast District

9. Current Donors:

MAKATA’s operation is entirely dependent on donor funds and internal fund raising drives. Since inception, MAKATA has floated its activities on internal fund raising drives, and funds collected from Waves Cab services. It has also established very good partnerships with donors from different countries and within PNG. These donors include:
1. WWF- Western Melanesia – PNG
2. Global Greengrants Fund – USA
3. South Pacific Regional Environment Program – Samoa
4. Santa Monica Seafood and WiseFish – USA

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

WWF Support to Mas Kagin Tapani


From:
WWF Western Melanesia Programme
WWF Papua New Guinea
Madang Office
P O Box 158, Diwai
Madang
Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 852 1763
Fax: +675 852 2291
png@wwfpacific.org.pg
www.wwfpacific.org.fj
President: HE Chief Emeka Anyaoku
Director General: Dr Claude Martin
President Emeritus:
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
Founder President:
HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands
Registered as:
WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature
WWF-Fondo Mondiale per la Natura
WWF-Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza
WWF-Fonds Mondial pour la Nature
WWF-Welt Natur Fonds
Also known as World Wildlife Fund

To:
Wences Magun
P.O.Box 1312,
Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea.
Ph. (675) 323 2632.
Email: wence@seaturtles.org
Magun.wences@gmail.com

6 July 2009

RE: WWF support to Mas Kagin Tapani Association (Makata)

To Whom it May Concern:

WWF Western Melanesia Programme Office is currently supporting the work of the Mas Kagin Tapani Association (Makata) for the protection and restoration of Bismarck Solomon Seas Marine Resources. This financial and technical support is provided by the WWF Australia International Fund grant to WWF South Pacific Programme. This project is focusing on strengthening organizational management of Makata and social mapping and mobilization activities with Rai Coast communities. WWF views this as an important partnership and as part of its mission to support the capacity of national NGOs, commnities, and civil society groups to lead resource management and community development initiatives.

Sincerely,

Daniel Afzal
WWF PNG Marine Program Manager

KARKUM CONSERVATION DEED




Sample of the Karkum Conservation Deed

1. Date of Deed

This Deed is hereby made on the 17th day of November 2008 and we declare that this
Deed binds members of UGERKEN, NENENG, GORKOM and NIWAP/KIRKUR Clans
from Karkum Village in the _SUMKAR__District of the Madang Province.

2. Parties to the Contract
2.1 It is acknowledged that only three (3) individuals (men or women) whom the
clan has chosen as their leader or spokesperson shall be signatories for and on
behalf of the Clan on this Conservation Deed.
2.2 We declare that the _ UGERKEN, NENENG, GORKOM and NIWAP/KIRKUR
Clans control those areas of land described and marked on the map attached to
this Deed.

3. Term of the Contract
3.1 We recognize that this Deed is a legal document which binds the parties to
their promises and can be enforced in the National court of Justice.
3.2 We agree that this Deed shall take effect commencing on and from the date of
execution of this Deed and shall remain in effect for a period of five (5) years,
that we the people shall conserve our land and sea, including the forests, waterresources,
native plants and the animals in their current state.
3.3 We agree that this Deed shall take effect over the land and sea area as
designated in the Map attached and marked as Schedule D.

4. Conservation Area Management Rules
4.1 We agree that we will not kill and eat or kill and dump all turtle species from the
open ocean and river within the conservation area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged a fine of K200.00 and or 6
months community service.
4.2 We agree that we will not dig and remove eggs for all turtle species that come
and lay eggs on the sand dunes.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K200.00 and or
6 months community service.
4.3 We agree that we will not use poison ropes, dynamite, fishing nets, diving at
night using spear guns and any other modern or traditional fishing methods
within the conservation area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K200.00 and or
6 month community service.
2
4.4 We agree that we will not cut trees, shrubs and vines near the beach within the
conservation area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K100.00 and or 4 months
community service.
4.5 We agree that we will not make any fire or roam with torch and lamp within the
Conservation Area. Only the Sea Turtle Restoration Project Committee has the
power to authorise anyone with interest or concerns to do such things within the
Conservation Area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K100.00 and or 4 months
community service.
4.6 We agree that we will not throw all kinds of rubbish or garbage such as plastic,
bottle, tin, iron, laplap, battery, oil, and paper within the conservation area that
will disturb people’s minds to clean and keep safe our environment.
Penalty: Village offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K100.00 and or 4
months community service. Corporations will be charged to pay a fine of
K1000.00
4.7 We agree that we will not collect or destroy other wildlife in the sea such as
echinoderms, molluscs, sea grasses, etc. within the conservation area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K100.00 and or 4 months
community service.
4.8 We agree that we will not remove or disturb reefs in the sea or on the beach
within the conservation area.
Penalty: Offenders will be charged to pay a fine of K100.00 and or 4 months
community service.

5. Clan Rights and Obligations
5.1 We acknowledge and accept that this Deed is subject to the Laws of the
Independent State of Papua New Guinea and is guided by the Common Law
Principles of Contract.
5.2 We acknowledge and accept that this Deed binds all who identify themselves
with the Clans mentioned herein, and can be upheld in any Court of Law in PNG.
5.3 All mature natural persons found to be in violation of any of the rules of
Management under Section 4, will be penalized accordingly upon reasonable
proof being shown and determined on a balance of probabilities.
5.4 We acknowledge and accept that all monetary fines collected will be paid to the
designated Environment Sub-Committee of the Duargo Community Development
3
Association and shall be managed and used for community projects as approved
by all the Clans.
5.5 We acknowledge and accept the need for cooperation to find, develop and
manage developments occurring on the land, beneath the land and under the
sea.
5.6 We acknowledge and accept that this Deed constitutes the entire Agreement
between the four (4) Clans.

6. General Provisions
6.1 This Agreement shall remain in effect and shall not be affected;
(a) in event of death,
(b) in event of unsoundness of mind,
(c) in event of a conviction in a court of law,
(d) in event of being declared bankrupt,
any or all of the Clan representatives who have endorsed this Agreement for and
on behalf of their Clan.
6.2 Where a situation under Section 6.1.1(a)-(d) occurs, the Clans shall;
(a) immediately appoint a date to meet,
(b) they will take steps to nominate and appoint a new
representative,
(c) the successful party will be nominated by a two
thirds majority of voting age member of the clan
present.
6.3 The new representative shall take immediate steps to;
(a) within 7 days to notify the other three (3) Clans in
writing, and
(b) shall accompany the Notice with a Minute of the
Meeting, and
(c) The minute shall be endorsed by three (3) most
elder clans men or women as nominated by the Clan during the
same meeting.

Verification of Signatures
We the undersigned hereby endorse our signature on this Conservation Deed as contained
under Schedules A, B and C for and on behalf of the Government, respective community
Association and Clans and undertake that we have done so after fully reading and
understanding the purpose of this document during this launching ceremony at Karkum
village on the 17th of November 2008:

4 SCHEDULE A
Chairman – Tokain-Sarang Village Court
Name Address Signature
Tamol Dalek Mathew P.O.Box 788, Madang ____________________
President – Sumgilbar Local Level Government
Name Address Signature
John Sekum P.O.Box 788, Madang ____________________
Ward 7 Member – Sumgilbar Local Level Government
Name Address Signature
Peter Nambon P.O.Box 788, Madang ____________________
SCHEDULE B
These following men and women who represent the four clans have signed:
UGERKEN CLAN
Name Signature
1. Willie Mulom _____________________
2. Larry Yapen _____________________
3. Danip Yaiam _____________________
NINENG CLAN
Name Signature
1. Mathew Dalek ____________________
2. Francis Nabuai ___________________

5
3. Dominic Nambon ____________________
NIVAP/KIRKUR CLAN
Name Signature
1. Willie Mayang ____________________
2. Willie Karem ____________________
3. Vincent Nanai ____________________
GORKOM CLAN
Name Signature
1. John Pakang ____________________
2. Joseph Labi ____________________
3. Wong Toles ____________________
SCHEDULE C
Sea Turtle Restoration Project Committee Members’ Names (DUARGO COMMUNITY DEV.
ASSOCIATION)
Name Signature Clan
1. Francis Nanai ____________________ ____________________
2. Lennon Mulom ____________________ ____________________
3. Vero Aimos ____________________ ____________________
4. Dick Akaski ____________________ ____________________
6
SCHEDULE D 7
I, hereby certify this to be a true reflection of the communities desires to conserve and manage
their land and sea as identified with by the accompanied map with the accompanied rules
herein. This Deed shall be binding on all parties that have jointly and or severally endorsed their
respective signatures on this document.
Dated: day of 2008.

Karkum's 2010 Turtle Tagging Data



On the 05th of September 2010 Wence (Wenceslaus Magun) boarded Air Niugini and travelled to Madang. Whilst waiting to board his plane he had a quick chat with Jeff Kinch from SPREP who was already in Madang to find out if Lui was going to accompany him on his trip to Karkum. Jeff informed Wence that Lui could not make it but that there is a possibility for some members of SPREP deligation in Madang to visit the project site and invited Wence to go visit them at the Madang Resort Hotel to confirm this plan.

The meeting with Jeff and Sima at the Madang Resort a day later confirmed this plan thus seeing Wence travel the following day to Karkum village to make arrangements for the visit of the SPREP delegation.

At Karkum Wence reviewed the turtle data information that was given to him whilst he was in Madang town before meeting Jeff to hand him those information with the latest data information the beach rangers had and updated the data which he had delivered to Jeff at the Madang Resort Hotel.

In his assessment, Wence noted that due to lack of proper supervision and lack of stipend to beach rangers, some of the data they have collected was NOT effectively, efficiently and accurately gathered. The views Wence gauged from the majority of the village beach rangers and elders and the Karkum Conservation team leaders is that there is a eminent need for another Turtle Training; that must cover both the theory and the practical aspects of turtle tagging, and monitoring. He also noted that an experienced para-biologist must be engaged to supervise the beach rangers during the turtle tagging and monitoring exercise. The beach rangers also expressed concerns that they needed proper measuring tapes, weighing machines and other turtle tagging and monitoring devices to help them do a proper job. Unless these needs are addressed, the current information may not be reliable for the purpose of keeping a proper turtle data information at the SPREP office. The edited turtle data information are hereby enclosed:

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 1
Date: 16th February 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Max Magal Andrew
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 8:00pm Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -2
Date: 18th March 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Cathy Nambon and Martin Nambon
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long basis klostu long haus win blong Bill – klostu long Mangas
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:00am Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Eggs successfully hatched and hatchlings returned to sea but no records were taken.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 3
Date: 30th March 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long basis klostu long haus blong Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:00am Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Not counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 4
Date: 05th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Yek Kanak (Marmar)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 6:30am Activity: Not seen, just the nest area was sighted; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs eaten by dogs (feral animals on the same day).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 5
Date: 16th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Idung Ken (Yek-kanak)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 10:00am Activity: Mother not sighted but sighted eggs after water changed direction and washed up the nest sight; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs had formed turtle hatchlings. One premature hatchling removed from an egg. Hard and black colour inside egg shells. Other eggs were dug out and relocated by Andrew).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 6
Date: 17th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Idung Ken (Yek-kanak). On sandy beach between Idung and Iser rivers
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Turtle not sighted but nest was sighted and marked by Andrew (beach ranger); Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa

Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 7
Date: 20th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Tallelwap (klostu long put)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left

Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 8
Date: 19th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) long Tallelwap (klostu long put)
TURTLE
Time of encounter 07:00am Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Eggs were dug out by a poacher (thief) causing argument and conflict between villagers from Gorkom and Mirap and the beach ranger.
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 9
Date: 25th April 2010
Turtle Species: Green turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) Yek kanak (Namel long Idung na Iser)
TURTLE
Time of encounter Not recorded Activity: Mother turtle not sighted but the nest was seen and marked. Bamboo fencing made to keep feral animals away; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number:Not tagged Flipper: Right; Not tagged Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa

Curved carapace length: Not recorded Curved carapace width: Not recorded
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: Nests was not seen until previous nest (eggs) started hatching – accidently sighted by Andrew Magal (Beach ranger).
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Not monitored well

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 10
Date: 31st January 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Gideon Mutindep
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 18.5m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) klostu long haus bilong Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter10:12 am or pm?; Activity: crawing up and laying eggs; Zone: black sand
Primary tag number: R5150? Flipper: Right; R45104 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: P.O. Box 240 SPREP, Apia, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 157 cm?; Curved carapace width: 112 cm?
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: 125
Egg data: 125 a) diameter 16cm b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:__43 cm_____ Depth of bottom: _75.5cm________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Fifteen successful hatchlings seen going down to the sea.
2. Photos taken with the Association’s camera (Wence could not find them)


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 11
Date: 21thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observers: Andrew, Kenneth and Rex
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:110; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter:5:30am; Activity:Covering eggs Zone: _________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type:Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length:160 cm Curved carapace width:120 cm

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:______ ; Depth of bottom: _____
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. The turtle was closely watched by the rangers digging its nest and laying its eggs before returning to sea but no photos were taken.
2. Beach ranger John Maguya saw feral animals (dogs/pigs) dig the nesting site
3. He chased the dogs and pigs and saved one hatchling. (See video footage)
4. Twenty one (hatchlings) died in the nest only one survived. Total of 22 hatchlings.
5. King tidal waves had washed sand onto the nesting site causing hatchlings to die.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 12
Date: 20thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: NOT SEEN
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:____; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___

Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) klostu long gest haus
TURTLE
Time of encounter:12:43pm; Activity:laying eggs Zone: Vegetation edge
Primary tag number: NIL Flipper: Right; NIL Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:______ ; Depth of bottom: _____
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Did not see the turtle but identified footprint and nest to be of Green Turtle

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -13
Date: 19thJanuary 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Magal
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: ________; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human:____; b) sand mining____ c) lighting:____; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter:3:30am; Activity: __________; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: DID NOT LAY ANY EGGS
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg: 20cm; Depth of bottom: 30cm
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Same leatherback turtle returned but did not lay any eggs.
Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 14
Date: 9th January 2010
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Beach Ranger Team Leader and Mark Khon
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Vegetation; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) stret long maus rot long haus bilong Mr. Danib Yaiam
TURTLE
Time of encounter:_______; Activity: _Laid eggs_________; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: _Not done_______ Flipper: Right; _________ Flipper: Left
Tag type: ___________Address: ___________
Curved carapace length: ___________; Curved carapace width: _________

EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 186 (102=Big Eggs & 84=Small Eggs)
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg: 20cm; Depth of bottom: 30cm
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
The team of beach rangers dug this nest to count the eggs. It was filmed.
1. Twelve (hatchlings) returned to sea in the morning (video taken), many at night (footage not taken).
2. Number of spoilt eggs not counted
3. Video footage taken with community camera.
4. Leatherback laying eggs at full moon time witnessed by many villagers


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 15
Date: 30th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Danip Yaiyem
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc) Long Talewap klostu long bikpela kalapulim.
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 5:30am; Activity: Covering eggs; Zone: _______________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: 108
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Same leatherback turtle that was sighted and tagged on the 06th of December 2009.
2. Video footage taken;
3. King tidal waves destroyed all the eggs when the waves washed up more sand dunes onto the nesting site.
4. Number of eggs not counted.
5. Ranger who recorded the information on the destruction of the nests did not write his/her name.

Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 16
Date: 29th December 2009
Turtle Species: Loggerhead or Green Turtle not sure
Name of observer: Andrew Ungai
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE

Time of encounter:4:30am; Activity: crawling back to sea; Zone: High Sand
Primary tag number: Flipper: Right; Flipper: Left (not tagged)
Tag type: Address:_____________________
Curved carapace length: _________Curved carapace width: _______
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 98
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Turtle Not Tagged; 2. Beach Ranger Andrew Magal dug up the eggs to find that all the eggs were destroyed due to rising sea adding more sand dunes onto the previous layer. 3. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest was taken.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 17
Date: 18th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Larry Yapen
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 5:30am; Activity: covering nest; Zone: High Sand
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA

# of eggs laid: Not Counted
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Same turtle that was seen on the 17th of December 2009 without laying eggs returned and layed its eggs this morning. 2. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest taken and the name of the person/s who dug up the nest.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet -18
Date: 17th December 2009

Turtle Species: Leatherback Turtle
Name of observer: Andrew Ungai and Damian Unung
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 105 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: ; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 3:00am; Activity: crawling up; Zone: ___________
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length:1 60 cm; Curved carapace width: 1 20 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: NIL
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. Did not find suitable nesting site?? Made attempts to dig but returned to sea without laying eggs. 2. A Beach Ranger dug up the eggs to find that all the eggs were destroyed due to rising sea adding more sand dunes onto the previous layer. 3.No dates indicating when eggs were dug up and who did it and the number of eggs recorded.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 19
Date: 06th December 2009
Turtle Species: Leatherback
Name of observer: Willie Mayang
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 2:00am; Activity: laying eggs; Zone: Vegetation Edge
Primary tag number: R45074 Flipper: Right; R45087 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 160 cm; Curved carapace width: 120 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 128

Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:
In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
Second of the third leatherback that was laying its eggs when photographed since this project was launched in November 2008.
1. Tried moving eggs to save them from king (tidal) waves;
2. Nest was dug by feral animals (pig). Andrew saw the pig digging and chased it away;
3. Made bamboo fencing
4. Checked and saw two (2) dead hatchlings on day # 53.
5. Rest of the eggs were spoilt (number not recorded)
6. Four empty egg shells indicated that four hatchlings went down to the sea.


Turtle Encounter and Nesting Turtle Data Sheet - 20
Date: 06th December 2009
Turtle Species: Green Turtle
Name of observer: Ambo Nigida
Institution: Karkum Sea Turtle Restoration Project
BEACH CHARACTERISTICS
Length: 3 Kms Width: 46 m of Black Sandy Beach
Beach backed by: a) vegetation, type: Forest; b) road___; c) village/town: Karkum d) other______
Distance: a) human: 100 m; b) sand mining____ c) lighting: 200 m; d) industry; e) other___
Offshore: (rocky, sandy, etc)
TURTLE
Time of encounter: 12:43pm; Activity: laying eggs; Zone: Vegetation Edge
Primary tag number: Flipper: Right; R45086 Flipper: Left
Tag type: Titanium; Address: SPREP, Samoa
Curved carapace length: 63 cm; Curved carapace width: 60 cm
EGG AND NEST DATA
# of eggs laid: 68
Egg data: a) diameter b) weight___________
Position of clutch:

In danger of Fate of clutch
Inundation relocated
Vegetation predated
Rocks poached
Trunks insitu
Erosion don’t know
Good position
Nest dimensions
Depth of top egg:_______ Depth of bottom: _________
GENETIC SAMPLE COLLECTION
Blood:_______ Tissue: __________
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:
1. King (tidal waves disturbed all the eggs. Dug out and removed 2. No dates indicating when the eggs were dug up and the number of eggs recorded, nor the depth of the nest taken and the name of the person/s who dug up the nest.

Friday, September 9, 2011

If Today You Hear His Voice, Harden Not Your Hearts



Reflection – 23rd Sunday, 4th September, 2011 – De Boismenu College
By Fr. John Aneo, MSC
In 2006, five Amish children in Pennsylvania were murdered at their school by a man who then took his own life. Whilst this tragedy was newsworthy in itself, what followed also hit the news. The Amish community, despite its deep loss and grief, urged forgiveness for the killer. This extraordinary gesture stunned many people around the world. The Amish people’s explanation for their behaviour was reported in USA Today (October 5, 2006): ‘They believe their calling is to accept and absorb hostility without fighting back or falling apart.” The paper also reported that one of the Armish went to the home of the killer’s father embracing him and saying, ‘We all forgive you.’’ Another explained to the media, “We’re really strongly taught to forgive the way Christ forgives us.” We see here that being a Christian isn’t a luck but a serious commitment to a radical new way of life.
We hear a lot about ‘watching out for Number One.’ An Episcopalian priest [USA] who served for many years in Nicaragua always wrote and spoke of his country – USA- as the ‘Me-First World’. Both views here emerge from the egocentric declarations that is; íf you don’t take care of yourself, who will?’
Paul and Mathew divert us in another direction. For them ‘watching out for Number One; can no longer be oneself but is an invitation to look at one another with new eyes, to listen to the other with new ears and to feel for the other with new hearts. Paul calls us to rise above laws that negatively state out responsibilities for one another – not to kill, not to steal, or covet, not to commit adultery – into something positive and proactive. Our debt to one another, our responsibility for one another, can be put into one powerful word: Love. Love reverences and wateches out for the other as Number One. The other readings explain how far love must go in order to be genuine. It must look out for the other so much so that this love will risk pointing out to another where they may be wrong.
Ezekiel presents us with an awesome and often scary responsibility, as does the gospel today: ‘speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways’. He is not referring merely to personal morality but social responsibility, injustice, and death-dealing. It offers the hope of liberation and the prospect of forgiveness to those who harm others. Even the oppressor has a right to his/her liberation! But as the late poet Audre Lorde said: Óur silence will not protect us’.
Other minorities have felt the burden to educate and challenge others to accept them and embrace differences as assets for community-building and exhibiting an unquenchable passion for justice. This is very clear in ethnic communities, women’s groups, the gay community and indigenous groups. Taking Ezekiel’s words to heart involves calling into question gender, racism, revenge, violence, corruption and damage to the environment etc. For those of us who live in a predominantly religious and Catholic community background, it might also cause us to reflect and to call into question unearned privileges’ which we take for granted: privileges such as our social power whether of gender, race, class, religion or nationality. We must be that ‘watchman/woman’Ezekiel refers to – who speak up for justice on behalf of a just God.
Paul’s view of Christian community is simple: ‘Love does no evil to the neighbour; hence, love is the fulfilment of the law.’ He concretises this by referring to vengeance. How relevant still today as we continue to face the world and society that is torn by violence, corruption, greed and payback.
Recently, in the deaths of about 30 military personnel in Afghanistan, Barack Obama said what has been heard many times: ‘Their deaths are a reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women of our military and their families.’ At unfortunate death of one of our soldiers, we also hear the prime minister, defense minister, chief of the defence forces or the corporate media offering their canned responses and sentiments for military deaths with the ongoing platitudes to justify continuations of shamefully wrong actions. The world mourned the deaths of over 3000 people on September 11, 2001 but aim to perpetuate myths not only to enthuse nationalism, but of extraordinary sacrifice, threats to our way of life and freedom. We cannot know the toll that revenge which we as a nation have participated in on people whose lives, livelihoods and country has been destroyed. A million dead? Two million? Including children.
Our call is to embrace a way of life that is distinct from that of the prevailing culture of revenge, violence, and me-first. Paul is calling us to embrace a way of life distinctly different from the prevailing death-dealing culture where retaliation, grudges, feuds, the évil eye ‘and curses were the order of the day. The love we are called to not only stops violence but tries to be proactive.
The gospel offers a complementary process for avoiding the practise of vengeance. The process is presented in three parts, but ultimately the community of believers has a role in helping to restore broken relationships. ‘I am there among them ‘says Jesus. It is through the power of solidarity with others, however, even just two or three others, that we achieve peace with Justice (Mathew 18:19-20).
John Donne, the Anglican priest and poet reminded us that, ‘no [man] is an island, entire unto himself’. Despite our dense populations, loneliness is a chronic, debilitating, and common condition. As social animals, solidarity experience is contrary to our nature. We have lived our lives in the context of one community or another – some good and others not so good where we recognise that much of human history has been one of war and conflict; of finding it difficult to get on with one another. There is a negative side of community life, but we do not give in to the dark side. We make peace where there is division and isolation because we also realise that our lives in the context of community must be mutually supportive. ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’ We do gather in Jesus’name; re-call him to presence with us which makes him a part of us and what we do. Jesus makes it clear how important we are one to another. Our connectedness gives us a power; gives strength to our values; enables us to be an effective healing force among others. This connectedness was clearly evident in times of tragedy.
The Asian tsunami; Hurricane Katrina, Cyclone Larry, Cylone Mitch; the devastating cyclone in Burma. People reached out to help and in big ways. As Charles Dickens said, Ít was the best of times. It was the worst of times’(from A Tale of Two Cities). And the gospel today calls us to be connected’ everyday to those we would sometimes not choose to be with.
As we come to the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, can we ask when will come the time for the vengeance end, when will be the time for reconciliation to take, when will we see that many more people have suffered that the initial casualties, how much more innocent blood will continue to be spilt by people who were not even alive at the time?
The German Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892-1984), who protested Hitler’s anti-Semitic measures which resulted in imprisonment at Sachsenhausen and Dachau (1937-1945), confessed , Ít took me a long time to learn that God is not the enemy of my enemies. He is not even the enemy of His enemies.” On September 11 we might pray that despite the pain and horror experienced we might also learn the lesson of Niemöller and act the way the Amish community responded in one, united voice to both of the families of the victims, the perpetrator and his family.
Reflections on readings....
Though we belong to a community of brothers and sisters, many Christians behave as if Christianity is a private or purely personal affair. The scriptures always call us to be on the lookout for one another. God’s call to Cain, “Where is your brother?” Is constantly before us. Our relationship with Jesus depends on our relationship with other people: family, neighbours and strangers. “By this will all know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another’ (John 13:35) and Ás often as you did/did not do it to me”(Mathew 25:40,45). And clearly, our attitudes and behaviour towards those who are most at risk, most defenceless and most vulnerable must be of utmost concern: the aged, children, people living with mental illness or some disability, asylum seekers.
More often than not it is religion that is exclusive. The Gospel is never exclusive. The gospel today tries to deal with divisions, conflicts, and unacceptable behaviour in the community – yet its primary concern is reconciliation, not punishment. This is relevant at all levels of the church community. It seems rather strong/harsh to suggest that one should be treated like a pagan or tax collector, i.e., an outsider – but it is a matter of last resort. This drastic step is not to be taken lightly or in a spirit of revenge or vindictiveness. It is done out of real concern for the wellbeing of the whole community. Too often it has not been the welfare of the community that has led people to be treated as an outsider but because the power of leaders is threatened when truths all should hear are suppressed. If not treated as an outsider, but certainly dismissed, there are numerous, e.g., Bishop Geoffrey Robinson, Bishop William Morris, Sister Joan Chittister. All have in their own way tried to enhance the mission of the church and witness to the Gospel.
When Jesus says, ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them (Mathew 18:20)’he is reminding us that a handful of people can make a difference but the fact is that ‘where two or more are gathered’ the group also consists of rough diamonds. It does not always mean they are right either! Nevertheless, it can be rather daunting, when the Gospel tells us, that we ought to ‘go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone’ with someone who is causing division in the community. How do we know that one is right and the other is wrong? Individuals can take positions in the community that we may be totally opposed to but who still have the well being of all at heart. Support for gay rights can become divisive within the community. People can express spiteful, belittling and other very rude comments and some may confront these with one’s own superior viewpoint and many premeditated facts and arguments. Even taking the issue to tow or more others is not necessarily of the spirit. Though one knows that one is right. What matters is being open to God’s loving spirit and that we invite a Christ-like presence of humility and tenderness into the conversation. Again, treating someone like an outsider or pagan is a ‘terrible’ thing – and should be last and not used often.
The psalmist has much to offer. Íf today you hear his voice, harden not your heart’. We know that the absence of rain, even on good ground, can mean that the arrival of rain can lead to flooding because the ground has become so hard that it cannot penetrate the soil. This may also be the situation of our hearts. Hard-heartedness can protect us from hearing, feeling, seeing the point of view of, and responding to another’s pain. A stubborn heart or closed heart cuts us off from others and keeps others at a distance. This can be just as present in the group as in an individual. In recent years people in the church, in politics and the media, has disparaged others as bleeding hearts because of their advocacy and support of asylum seekers, respect for people of other ethnic or sexual groups.
The psalmist and the gospel call is to open our hearts to the other, to be open to reconciliation. Íf today you hear his voice, harden not your heart’. Can you hear the voices of the poor who seek to be treated with respect? Can you hear voices of women who seek to be treated with equality? Can you hear the voice of the spirit of God in you when you feel angry and enraged at any injustice? It is truly the voice of God calling us to act. Íf today you hear his voice, harden not your heart’. God’s call to us is to listen to the cries of our sisters and brothers near and far; it is another way of God calling out to us and asking us ‘Where is your brother/sister?’ The psalm and the gospel connect today. It is important that we do not harden our hearts against our sister or brother. This is especially if we remember that where two or three are gathered there Jesus is (am I) in the midst of them.