Friday, December 22, 2023

K4 million needed for Alexishafen seawall

Civil Engineer Samuel Karsailo with paper
taking notes accompanied by 
builder James Akubi scoping the Alexishafen
beach to design and build a 500-meter seawall.
At the background is
late Archbishop Adolph Noser's house.

 Story and pictures by WENCESLAUS MAGUN

Video credits to Participatory Community Journalism Training participants:
1. Tibudhun ELC Congregation from Bagabag Island - Meri Safe House;
2. Tabel Parish - Alexishafen health workers combat TB outbreak;
3. Gildipasi CSO - Gildipasi thanks SVD;
4. Sr. Cathy Mutun, St. Therese Sister - Life of a nun with St. Therese Sisters; and
5. Constantine Alibob - David Bai's Mangrove Project in Alexishafen.

An urgent drive to raise K4 million to build a 500-meter seawall construction at Alexishafen Catholic Station, located approximately 25km north of Madang town in Papua New Guinea is currently underway.

This project aims to address the ongoing issues related to coastal erosion and protect the station from the adverse effects of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

“I am really worried that if nothing is done to prevent the sea from washing away the land that houses the retreat and conference centers and the other buildings here in Alexishafen these historical buildings will soon be washed away”, said Fr George Ryfa, SVD, Alexishafen retreat and conference center manager.

 

Fr. George Ryfa , SVD, James Akubi, builder, and 
Samuel Karsailo, Civil Engineer discussing
plans to build the 500-meter Alexishafen
seawall.

Project Overview:

The proposed project entails the construction of a robust and sustainable 500-meter seawall along the coastal area of Alexishafen Catholic Station. The seawall will provide essential protection against erosion, storm surges, and tidal fluctuations, safeguarding the station's infrastructure, land, and inhabitants.

Project Objectives:

The primary objectives of this project are as follows:

   a. Mitigate coastal erosion: The seawall will act as a barrier, preventing further erosion of the coastal land.

   b. Protect infrastructure: The construction of a seawall will safeguard critical infrastructure, including buildings, roads, and utilities, from damage caused by rising sea levels and storm surges.

   c. Preserve the environment: The proposed seawall design will incorporate environmentally friendly materials and construction practices to minimize any negative impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

   d. Enhance community resilience: By providing a protective barrier, the seawall will enhance the resilience of the Alexishafen Catholic Station community against climate change and its associated risks. 

Erosion is gradually washing away land
where the Madang Archdiocese's Catechist
Training Center is located in Alexishafen.

“We believe that the construction of a seawall at Alexishafen Catholic Station is crucial to protect the station, its infrastructure, and the surrounding community from the adverse effects of coastal erosion and climate change,” reiterated Fr. George.

He said his team of experienced professionals are committed to delivering a high-quality seawall project that meets any keen donor’s requirements and ensures the long-term sustainability of the seawall.

Late Archbishop Adolf Noser's house
in Alexishafen facing imminent threat from
being washed away.

 
Contact details

Fr George Ryfa, SVD, and his team are delighted to discuss this project further and answer any questions or concerns from anyone who may have any queries about it.

Please feel free to contact Fr. George Ryfa, SVD, at gryfasvd@gmail.com or Mobile: 72037533



 
Retreat-Conference Centers in Alexishafen
facing imminent threat from rising sea level, sea
surges and rapid soil erosion. 

Background

Alexishafen is located in Lat 5° 4' 60S Long 145° 48' 0E in Papua New Guinea (Wikipedia).   “Alexishafen”, is named after a Russian duke by some Russians who surveyed the New Guinea coastline in the early 1800s.  It is situated eight (8) nautical miles (25km) to the north of Madang town.

On August 13, 1896, the first six missionaries from the congregation of the Societas Verbi Divini (SVD) or the Divine Word Missionaries led by their first SVD Superior, Fr. Eberhard Limbrock, 36, arrived in Friedrich-Wilhemshafen (Madang town) in obedience to their founder Fr. Arnold Janssen (now Saint Arnold Janssen).

St. Michael's Primary School one of the
pioneer schools established by the SVDs
and SSpS missionaries after arriving in
Alexishafen.

They came intending to establish their first mission post in Friedrich-Wilhemshafen (Madang town) in New Guinea.

After arriving in Madang they were not cordially welcomed by the Lutherans (Rhenish Mission Society) nor did the German New Guinea Company Neuguinea-Kampegnte, who were administering Madang back then, who failed to give them a 10-hector land promised to them. 

This forced Fr. Limbrock and his five companions, Fr. Franz Vormann, Fr. Joseph Edweg, Brothers Canisius Hautkappe (a mechanic), Eustochius Tigges (a carpenter and cabinet maker) and Theoducph Schmidt (a cook and tailor) to move six weeks later to Tumleo Island, 450 km northwest of Madang in current Sundown Province, where they established their first mission station in 1886 after buying a plantation from Neuguinea-Kampegnte.

The US Navy built its naval base in 
Alexishafen after defeating Japanese forces in 
1944 and remained there till 1945. Alexishafen
wharf and warehouse are now in a dilapidated state
and needs urgent maintenance and repair.

Before moving to Tumleo, Fr. Limbrock stricken by Malaria stayed back in Friedrich-Wilhemshafen (Madang town) and in September 1896 visited Alexishafen for the first time and was impressed by the site.  He was accompanied by Brothers Eustochius and Theodulph who later went to Tumleo from Alexishafen to join their companions.

Whilst, staying in Friedrich-Wilhemshafen (Madang town), he sent Fathers Vormann and Edweg and Brothers Canisius ahead to Tumleo to establish their first SVD Catholic mission station there.

They were later joined by the first Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) in 1899. 

Alexishafen Meri Safe House provides much
needed protection, and counseling for many 
abused, and traumatized women, men, and families
from violence.

Meri Safe House in the eyes of Tibudhun ELC Congregation of Bagabag Island

In 1904 Fr. Limbrock returned to Friedrich-Wilhemshafen (Madang town) and went to Alexishafen again, where he bought 160 hectares of land and established their second mission station in New Guinea.

In June 1904, a contract of sale was closed with the owner of the property, Mr Futol who was the inhabitant of Sek (Idawan) an island that lies opposite the entrance of the harbor. Fr Limbrock was joined by Br. Canisius Hautkappe (a mechanic), and Br. Sylvester Litzenberger.  After settling in at Alexishafen, Fr. Limbrock celebrated his first Mass on March 23, 1905.

Work began in cleaning and clearing up the 160 hectares of land.  Local laborers helped the early missionaries in clearing the station.  They also helped plant coconuts, and rubber plantations as well as looking after pigs, and cattle so the early missionaries could sustain their activities, and lives and not rely heavily on their Mother House in Germany or Europe for its supplies.

Mother Mary is, was, and will 
always be in the hearts of missionaries,
interceding for the Church.

By the 1930’s the construction and development of Alexishafen reached its peak under Bishop Francis Wolf, the first SVD Bishop of East New Guinea with the completion of a majestic St. Michaels cathedral in 1939. 

More priests and brothers arrived from Europe which strengthened the growth of the mission activities. Remote areas were reached by small planes and boats which continued their services until the 1980’s.

From 1926 to 1939 mission work spread far and wide from Alexishafen into the hinterlands, coastal regions, far-flung islands, and eventually into the highlands of New Guinea.

According to Wikipedia St. Michael's Cathedral
was bombed by the Allies who suspected the
Japanese army of storing its ammunition in it.

One outstanding structure built during the reign of Bishop Francis Wolf, SVD, bishop of East New Guinea, was the construction of St. Michael’s Cathedral. History shows that St. Michael’s Cathedral was believed to be the biggest and the best in PNG and the Pacific at that time. 

St. Michael the archangel’s statue was brought to Alexishafen from Germany in 1939 and was planned to be placed in the cathedral’s niche high up on the cathedral's façade.
Unfortunately, this did not eventuate.

Remains of a Japanese tanker lying in ruins
in Alexishafen where it was bombed during
the Second World War in Alexishafen between
the Japanese soldiers and the Allies from 
1942 to 1944. 

The allied forces who were hunting for the Japanese soldiers who arrived early in the morning on 23rd December 1942 in barges, and forcefully occupied St. Michael’s Alexishafen, raided Alexishafen on 1st September 1943 and flattened it including bombing the majestic cathedral.

Under the Japanese occupation, the Japanese Army developed the Alexishafen area into a base and airfield area expanding to Danip and building a runway to the south for bombers.  It was known as Alexishafen Airfield.

Allied aircraft bombed, flattened the area, and neutralized the airfields in late 1942 until 1944.

The Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) convent in
Alexishafen

From December 18, 1942, up till April 15, 1944, the Allies occupied Alexishafen after the Australian Army's 30th Battalion in the Battle of Madang liberated Madang and Alexishafen on April 26, 1944.  They also captured many Japanese supply dumps and abandoned equipment.


In July 1944, after defeating the Japanese, 
the Allies built their 2/15th Field Hospital in Alexishafen. 

According to information obtained from Wikipedia, the US Navy's 7th Amphibious Force established a base in Alexishafen in May 1944.  On June 13, 1944, 200 US Navy's Seabee 91st Construction Battalion arrived in Alexishafen to support their war operations off the north shores of New Guinea. The  US Army closed its Naval base on January 28, 1945.

Fortunately, St. Michael’s statue was not destroyed during the Allied raids as it was stored on the verandah of the brothers’ house which was not bombed. St. Michael’s statue now rests in the SVD’s house at Divine Word University in Madang town.

Alexishafen's Heart of Mary Health Center
is one of the major key social services
the Catholic Church continues to provide
for sick patients from all religions, denominations,
race, creed, ethnic groups, rich or poor, educated
 or not, and political affiliations.

Alexishafen health workers combat TB outbreak

The early missionaries including Bishop Francis Wolf were held captive by the Japanese soldiers who took them to the hills of Gayaba ('Gayava', in local dialect) and later walked them to Bogia.  From Bogia they sailed to Manam Island and joined other Lutheran missionaries.  

As they were sailing from Manam en route Hollandia (present-day Jayapura in West Papua), on a Japanese ship Yorishime Maru, the American warplanes sited the ship at the time and bombed it near Wewak harbor, killing many on board.  Those who survived and were brought to the Wewak Hospital for treatment also died including Bishop Wolf.  His remains were later brought back to Alexishafen and was buried in the chapel which has replaced the majestic St. Michael’s cathedral he once built.

Gayaba is now respected by the Catholics in Madang.  Pilgrims visit Gayaba for spiritual enrichment annually.  This sacred site is now known as “Maria Helpim” in Tok Pidgin or “Mary, Our Lady of Perpetua Help.”

Prior to the Second World War, and after the war, Alexishafen grew into the epicenter of the Catholic Church in East New Guinea. 

In 2021, the SVDs and SSpS celebrated
their 125 years of mission work in PNG after
arriving in Madang on 13 August 1896 from
Germany.

Gildipasi thanks SVD

SVD and SSpS mission services continued after the Second World War using mission boats and planes. 

The SVD and SSpS missionaries and lay people provided shipbuilding and maintenance, carpentry and joinery, mechanical and machining, electrical, butchery, and plumbing services, as well as built health centers and schools and provided medicines, doctors, sisters, nurses, and teachers to run these institutions.

Fr. George Ryfa, SVD, celebrating
Christmas with his staff and their 
families.  He appreciates their efforts
in faithfully looking after the station.

They also established the first Doilon post office, a catechist training school at Gayaba, a domestic girls school in Alexishafen which has now become a Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) school, and a railroad (known as Bonny railway or donkey railway) connecting Alexishafen and Gayaba Catechist training center. 

The SVDs and SSpS also helped establish St. Michael’s primary school, shoe shop, printing house, and sawmill and created job opportunities for many local and expatriate men and women.

Many of these services have been closed after the SVD handed the property over to the Madang Archdiocese in 1994/95.

St. Therese Sisters convent in Alexishafen.

Life of a nun with St. Therese Sisters

Under the reign of Archbishop Adolf Noser, founder of the St. Therese’s Sisters, a local congregation, the Catholic Church in Madang established the SVD high school which transited to Divine Word Institute in 1979 and later became Divine Word University in 1996. 

Alexishafen currently houses the conference and retreat centers, Prayer House, Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS) convent, St. Therese Sisters convent, Meri Safe House, St. Michael’s Primary School, Alexishafen's Heart of Mary Health Center, Catechist Training Centre, St. Anna’s TVET, a teaching congregation of sisters from India, the Assisi Sisters of Immaculate Conception who are currently teaching at St. Jacinta Day High School, at Maren, residential houses for teachers, nurses, sisters and other workmen for the station.

Late Archbishop Adolph Noser's
grave lying just under the 
cenotaph of the pioneer missionaries
killed during the Second World War.

Alexishafen also has a cemetery that has become the safe home for the deceased missionaries with lay people both past and present.

Some of the war relics and the historical buildings built in Alexishafen by the pioneer missionaries, including the main wharf and jetty with the newly built structures today face the imminent threat of erosion, storm surges, and tidal fluctuations.

St. Michael's parish church with the parish priest's
house in Alexishafen.

David Bai's Mangrove Project in Alexishafen

The existing RD wharf and fishing facilities which have been taken over by the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone (PMIZ) and the establishment of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) opposite Alexishafen pauses an eminent marine and social threats to the livelihoods of the inhabitants in the surrounding areas.  These corporate entities and the State have a social corporate responsibility to support the locals and the Catholic Church in Madang.


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