JICA Volunteer Putting Tok Pisin to Practice with local vendors.

The new JICA Volunteer to PNG, Mr Kazuaki TAJIMA, was put to the test on his Tok Pisin skills as he took to the streets of Port Moresby. Accompanied by his Tok Pisin Instructor, he asked vendors of Boroko market, “hamas long wanpla kulau”/ (how much for one young coconut) as he paid for and had a refreshing gulp of the fresh “kulau.” He also visited the Koki Fish market where he pointed out the Tok Pisin names of seafood such as “kuka”(crab), “urita”/Octopus, “talai”/Sardines and others. The objective of the “street” lessons was to provide an opportunity for him to interact with locals in Tok Pisin as well as experience the local market settings which was similar throughout the country.

As he also learned the different animal names in Tok Pisin, the practical lesson also included exploring the Nature Park where he pointed out the “kumul”/bird of Paradise with the “sikau”/wallaby and various other “pisin” /birds. The National Museum was also visited as the volunteer got to see the extensive artifacts discovered from the different parts of PNG hence, getting a sense of PNG’s diverse culture. Lastly the street lessons ended with local delicacies served as lunch, at the Unity Mall. The day was well spent from speaking with local vendors, to calling out animals in Tok Pisin to learning history and culture then top it off with having local food for lunch, the practical street lessons summed up and highlighted the entire experience for the volunteer.