Woooh! I’ve just made it into Steemit!

Dear Steemit friends,

My name is Nawi Mabo and this is my first post to introduce myself. My request to be part of this wonderful platform has just been approved and you can image the level of excitement in me! You know that feeling you get when you receive that notification email in your inbox!

Where I come from.

I am from Papua New Guinea (PNG) which is located north of Australia and is part of the main island of New Guinea. Separated in the middle, the western half is called Irian Jaya and is looked after by Indonesia. The eastern half is Papua New Guinea which had its’ independence from Australia in 1975.

(A PNG woman in traditional attire. Photo: Gerhard Stemm)

PNG is often referred to as the Land of the Unexpected. This is true because if you come in as a tourist enthused on taking snaps of the gorgeous Bird of Paradise – our country's symbol, you will be surprised to find other birds that are more beautiful in colour, intriguing in calls and courtships, and surprisingly big in size. The flora and fauna of the natural environment contains many difference plant and animal species some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Adding to this, there are over 800 different languages and people groups, each having their own unique culture and way of life. So if you decide on heading this way (and I encourage some of you to), please be advised to have extra camera batteries and huge storage space for images because as we say down here “expect the unexpected in the Land of the Unexpected”!

(Intriguing things do happen here. A pet deer trying to follow it's "adopted" mother into boarding the plane!)

What I do for a living.

More than 10 years ago I joined a group of aviation professionals whose mission is to operate light aircraft and use technology to bring help and hope to some of the world’s poorest communities. I work for Mission Aviation Fellowship PNG (MAF) as the Ground Operations Training Co-ordinator. MAF has been serving for over 60 years in PNG providing air transport in a front where flying is not a luxury but a lifeline! Through this crucial mission, hundreds of lives have been saved, modern buildings have been erected in remote and isolated places and people have been provided a means by which essentials goods and services are able to reach them. I believe in helping others and putting smiles on people’s faces. Apart from working in this amazing humanitarian charity organisation (http://maf-papuanewguinea.org/) I also use my space time voluntarily to help disadvantaged people improve their lives by teaching basics of the modern way of life.

My Home & Family.

I am married (to one wife!). In PNG, a man can marry as many wives as he chooses! (another amazement in the Land of the Unexpected!) My wife and I have two children. My family is dear to me. I believe they are the next important thing in my list of life’s priorities after God! We have a wonderful home where we plant flowers, fruits and vegetables. I like gardening because in addition to being a source for fresh and healthy produce, it eases my stress, keeps me limber and even improves my mood.

Steemit believer

I’m glad to be a Steemit believer and hope to post stories of the work I do, things I like, things I’d love to see intrigue other people and stories about the country I live in. I hope other Steemit believers will like my posts. Through this I hope to make many friends!