PNG: Children's Home Parent

We served as Children's Home Parents at Ukarumpa for 3 years and loved it!  If you enjoy teens and desire to see the work of Bible translation continue in PNG, this role is for you!

This role and the Children’s Homes are critical for the on-going work of Bible translation in PNG.  We always say, “Happy kids, happy parents.”  If parents know their teens are well-cared for and happy in the Children’s Home, they can better concentrate on their role as a Bible translator or in another vital language role.  When there isn’t anyone available to fulfill this role, often a couple who are doing Bible translation is asked to fill the role for a school term or two. We need you!

The homes allow 7^th -12^th  graders to attend school at Ukarumpa while their parents are in the village. Some students stay for the whole school year while others stay in the homes for various lengths of times. There are 2 to 6 week breaks between each school term and the teens live with their parents during the breaks.

There is a great team there to welcome you and give you the orientation and training that you need to be successful house parents.  English will be used most often but the trade language, Tok Pisin, is easy to learn and you'll enjoy using it to build relationships with the local people.

 What are the homes like?

-You live together as a family. There is a girl's and boy's hall and there are beds for around 7 girls and 7 boys and they might not be filled all year round. Our home had anywhere from 2-14 teens living with us but most often we had 8-10 teens living with us.

-Parents do have a room with their own bathroom.

-Yes, you do have electricity with most of the conveniences of your home country. No dishwasher but lots of hands to wash the dishes! There is house help so clothes and basic care of the house are taken care of and they also can help with some of the cooking.

What does the role involve?

-Organize the day-to-day activities involved in operating and maintaining the home, ensuring smooth operation and a happy, homelike atmosphere.

-Plan and perform maintenance activities such as cleaning, painting and repairs using the assistance of staff available.

-Understand and empathize with children of various ages and nationalities facing the adjustments of cross-cultural situations and living away from parents.

-Provide supportive activities and mature Christian counsel, seeking to care for each child's physical, social, mental and spiritual needs.

-Assist in evening study programs, providing an adequately disciplined climate in which scholastic help is available to complete assignments.

Daily life in a home:

During the week, our teens were often out of the house by 8am and many didn’t return until dinner, although everyone comes home for an hour at lunch time. After dinner clean-up, there was some time for Ping-Pong, games, or just a good chat before study/quiet time from 7-9 pm. Then the house came alive again and we all enjoyed a snack before it was off to bed for all.

The weekends were filled with Sat. morning chores, hanging out, school activities, etc. Often the teens went to the Teen Center for Hamburger Night on Fri. nights with the Ukarumpa community and on Sat. nights, the Teen Center is open only for teens.

Minimum Skills:

-Ability to develop and maintain a happy, caring, and trusting home-like atmosphere.

-Homemaking skills are needed and cooking is an essential part of the job.

-Household management skills and comfortable working with a budget.
-Mature Christians who have demonstrated good parenting skills/positive youth work experiences.
-Home maintenance experience desirable.

-Comfortable working together as a couple for extended time.

Serve for a year or as many as you can give.  If you would like more information on this vital role, please contact Wendy.