By CASEY NEILL
PORTERS from Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track made the trek to Keysborough last week.
Mark and Julie Capper hosted the No Roads Expedition group at their home for a barbecue dinner on 23 February.
The husband and wife team raised $314.60 at a fund-raiser on 14 February and handed over school supplies for the porters to take home.
The Cappers and 10 other people made the inaugural Trek 4 Education along the Kokoda Track last September.
They delivered educational supplies to schools along the track, including whiteboards and printers.
The No Roads Port Moresby compound school was the first stop.
“The children there were very excited but well-behaved and greeted us with a song,” Mr Capper said.
“They asked us to sing them a song but we were not as good as these kids!
“The kids clapped and cheered at every item we placed on their table.”
At an elementary school, one boy was crying because he thought the group was there to give immunisations.
Mr Capper gave him a football to cheer him up.
“Later that night his mum informed me that he wanted to give me a gift for the kindness I showed him. It was a billum (string bag),” he said.
“I knelt down for him to place it over my head and as I stood I was overcome with tears.”
The Trek 4 Education will return to Papua New Guinea in 2016. Email trek4education@optusnet.com.au for more details.
