Theckla Gunga

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Marian Faa |Theckla Gunga

Papua New Guinea's national cabinet is facing a fierce backlash after resolving to expedite what has been called a "grand shopping list" of projects, including the development of a space agency. Seventy projects are outlined in a confidential cabinet decision that has been seen and verified by the ABC.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Hannah Meagher |Marian Faa |Theckla Gunga

Asel Tui's childhood on the Rai Coast of Papua New Guinea was coloured with tales of a legendary Russian explorer and scientist who sailed up to his village 150 years ago. But no one ever mentioned the skulls. "My ancestors didn't tell me anything about it. Maybe they were frightened," he told 7.30. Mr Tui can sit under a tree and look at the stone monument erected in memory of Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay, the Russian scientist who explored the area in 1871.

Nov 4, 2024 | abc.net.au | Theckla Gunga |Leah Lowonbu

Religious groups are some of the most passionate climate activists across the Pacific. How does the science of climate change and the word of the Bible align? A lot, according to Reverend James Bhagwan, the general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches and a minister of the Methodist Church in Fiji. In fact, churches are leading the way and when climate projects fail to include spiritual language in their work they often fail.

Aug 10, 2024 | abc.net.au | Marian Faa |Theckla Gunga

In bare feet with mud between his toes, Mark Pukim walks back and forth over the bodies of his relatives, who were buried under rubble in Papua New Guinea's remote highlands. His shoulders buckle beneath the weight of a 20 kilogram bag of rice and sweat glistens on his forehead in the hot midday sun as he walks about 100 metres from one side of the landslide to the other. He's made this journey dozens of times today.

Jul 13, 2024 | abc.net.au | Marian Faa |Belinda Kora |Theckla Gunga

Wesley Lakui has been a member of Papua New Guinea's largest superannuation fund for 18 years, but this week the company forced him to tear down the family home he spent his entire savings to build. A school teacher, Mr Lakui is one of more than 5,000 people being evicted from a sprawling illegal settlement in Port Moresby, known as Bush Wara. It includes multiple churches, a school, medical centre, shops and about 930 homes developed over decades and collectively worth millions of dollars.