Students have a responsibility to shape the future of PNG

Students at the Kusbau Primary School in Madang Town were told that they, too, have a responsibility to help shape the future of this country.

This was the message delivered to them by the Chaplain of the United Church in Madang, Reverend Kari Rabura, on Wednesday this week, as they celebrate the country's 50th Independence Anniversary

Reverend Rabura led the opening event with a word of prayer and a short sermon, highlighting the responsibility each individual has in shaping the future of Papua New Guinea.

Rev. Rabura said, "We [our forefathers] have shaped our nation to be who we are today. However, the responsibility to shape the future of this nation lies with us. Spiritually, we should be mature now. We should have shaped our lives. We must build our lives on good things for God to be pleased with us."

His sermon was based on Proverbs 22: 6, which states, "train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not turn from it."

He told the students that their teachers and even their parents are only helping them to shape their lives in order for them to be productive, to become good people, good citizens in their communities, their families and in the country.

Rev. Rabura further reminded them that there are two reasons why they must shape their lives. First and foremost is to please God, and two is to enjoy life.

"In life, you reap what you sow. If you obey, know that you will reap what you sow. If you're obedient to your teachers, your parents, in future whatever you want to become, you can always achieve those things.

"Unlike in 1975 or in the past, Papua New Guinea now has a lot of opportunities that the government has created. This is because the government has planned and shaped PNG to be what is today. The same principle applies to your lives. If you want a brighter future, you must start shaping it today," stated Rev. Rabura.