Guns exchanged for Bibles in Papua New Guinea

This report by Bola Noho was published in the Lae Daily News on 13 November 2006

YOUTHS of Four Mile settlement, Papua New Guinea, considered a notorious breeding ground for criminals, yesterday exchanged their arms for Bibles.

Their surrendering of the dangerous weapons was at the urging and encouragement of The Salvation Army.

The weapons included home-made guns, live ammunition, sling shots, bush knives and pieces of iron used by the youths for armed hold-ups and road blocks.

The weapons were ceded to the Salvation Army leaders at a small ceremony.

The weapons surrender programme, initiated by the youths themselves and The Salvation Army from Lae city, saw more than 30 youths hand their weapons to The Salvation Army's Divisional Commander, Major Sere Kala, in front of the settlement leaders, people and an Australian television crew.

As each youth from the settlement surrendered his weapon, Major Kala issued each of them a Bible and assured them of a better life of Christianity.

Major Kala said Four Mile area was considered a crime hot spot. Road blocks and armed hold-ups are common occurrences.

He said he was himself a victim once when he was held up while travelling in a bus from Nadzab airport to Lae.

Major Kala's relationship with the youths in that settlement grew after meeting with the youth leaders.

The Salvation Army came to their aid in starting up a coffee shop with K250 which earned the youths about K650 in a month. The Salvation Army also assisted with the training of youths in baking scones and selling them.

Major Kala welcomed the youths' positive thinking and attitudes by deciding to surrender their arms. 'This is a change for the better,' he said.

He also challenged the business community to give the youths a second chance to prove themselves.

'If we can show compassion and a little bit of care, we will be creating the leeway for these youths to follow and change to become better persons,' he said. Major Kala said the surrendered arms would be handed over to the police tomorrow for disposal.