Our Stories
The need for HF Radio in the Telefomin District
Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) recently completed a successful installation of six High Frequency (HF) Radios for the following remote communities at Tifalmin, Eliptamin, Fiyak, Feranaim and Munbil which are all areas located in the Telefomin District.
Telefomin is the only nearest location that provides central government services for these communities, but to venture by foot to Telefomin would take a total of 3 – 4 days for these villagers. The long journey would require climbing large rugged mountain’s that are engulfed with thick jungles and crossing big fast flowing rivers whiles enduring the cold and wet weather. In addition to that, they also have to keep in mind and avoid mosquitos and leaches that inhabit such areas. The only other alternative way provided for these communities to receive services is by a few small airplanes that charter flights from their remote airstrips to Telefomin.
CRMF Electronics Technician, Gollinson Wena said that the estimated walking distance for a villager would take 3 – 4 days, but it would take twice the amount of time for someone who is new to that kind of remote setting.
“…speaking from experience, I nearly died along the way from exhaustion just to have a bath in a river, as I was told it was nearby (but not at all).” ~ CRMF Electronics Technician, Gollinson Wena.
A number of these locations are so remote that they are unable to receive network coverage to communicate via mobile phone. But for others, if they are lucky enough to climb a nearby mountain, they would be able to receive proper signal just to make a phone call. Communication has become a necessity to these remote communities because communication saves time, money and enables them to receive the services that they lack.
This Codan Envoy HF Radio was installed at Sisamin aid post
A completed telomast Installation beside an old aid post building at Munbil.
These awesome guys give a big smile after helping The CRMF Electronics Technicians install the HF Radio for their community at Eliptamin.
Consistent and reliable communication matters and now with their newly installed HF radio these communities along with their local schools, remote clinics and churches can all benefit from the radio installation. Even Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) and other aviation firms who provide service for these communities can be well informed of weather reports and medical emergencies.
In spite of the limited time (3 to 4 days) to do the installation, it was such a privilege to successfully install 6 of these radios for the remote communities of Tifalmin, Eliptamin, Fiyak, Feranaim and Munbil. These installations wouldn’t have been possible without the support from the Telefomin District Local member of Parliament, Honourable Solan Mirisim who sponsored ten of these HF radios. The other four radios will be installed in the near future.
CRMF Technician, Simion Tom is pictured beside the HF Radio telomast that he just completed setting up for the community at Feranamin.
A complete installation of the telomast for the newly installed radio at Tifalmin Aid Post.