Ukarumpa

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Ukarumpa is a gated community and intentional community that is the main center for Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) in Papua New Guinea, located in the Eastern Highlands Province. It lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) by road from Kainantu in the Aiyura Valley. The population consists of a variety of Christian workers, their families and local employees. The base was established in the late 1950s by Wycliffe Bible Translators. The current population is approximately 500. The function of Ukarumpa is to serve as an operations base for translators, linguists, literacy specialists, teachers and other professionals who are mainly volunteer workers with SIL. SIL is a sister organization to Wycliffe Bible Translators, and is a world-class scientific organization with a strong emphasis on linguistic research and literacy, as well as translation.

Photo of Ukarumpa in the 1970s
Photo of Ukarumpa in the 1970s

Contents

[edit] History

The 99 year lease for the 500 acres (2 km²) at Ukarumpa was signed by Dick Pittman for the Summer Institute of Linguistics on October 4, 1956. Dr. Jim Dean, his wife Gladys and their children took up residence at Ukarumpa later in the month.

The ground was originally a plot of land that was disputed for ownership by the local villagers from Tairora and Gadsup. It was to settle the dispute that the Government leased this land to SIL, but this didn't stop the dispute over the land..

Originally the land was very barren with no trees or development of any sort. The missionaries planted trees which brought back birdlife. All of the buildings and roads were built by mission volunteers with financial support from their home churches.

Ukarumpa viewed from "Lone Tree Hill"
Ukarumpa viewed from "Lone Tree Hill"

[edit] What's there now

Ukarumpa is an interesting place in that it has its own sort of pseudo-government there. They have "directors" that are elected or appointed for different tasks, such as overseeing security.


All internet access is closely monitored and censored. Besides censoring pornographic material, they block access to sites selling weapons, etc. Many of the blocked categories are unclear and ambiguous, such as criminal skills, mature, gaming, weapons, social networking, and entertainment.

A barbed wire fence surrounds Ukarumpa. The idea is to keep the criminals out, though some are skeptical of this explanation as the barbed wire points in, not out.

The right to bear arms is non-existent in Ukarumpa, due to the strict gun control laws of Papua New Guinea, the country in which Ukarumpa resides.

Ukarumpa Meeting House
Ukarumpa Meeting House

[edit] Life in Ukarumpa

In Ukarumpa, generally entire families will move there, which means there are a lot of youth. There is a school on the center, and the Teen Center, a place for teens to hang out on Friday and Saturday nights, and eat dinner.

Aside from that and school activities (which are plentiful), there are quite a few things for kids to do in Ukarumpa, including motorcycle and horse riding, rugby, soccer, "utlimate frisbee", volleyball, drama and civics projects. As of recently, there is one TV station that can be picked up in Ukarumpa, so some people watch that. If the directors deem that a youth (or any adult for that matter) needs help in an area of their life they may ask them to seek help from either on-center counselors or in their home country.

Despite as problematic as this place might seem, many people grow up there and learn to love it. Many of the missionaries currently living there grew up there and returned to where they felt was home.

Ukarumpa Medical Clinic
Ukarumpa Medical Clinic

[edit] Significant buildings

  • The Rankin Moffett memorial meeting house. Cement and tin sheet construction. This building is the meeting place for church meetings, school productions, movie nights, and anything else that might need a stage and/or lots of seating.
  • The Saw Mill (one of the first western style buildings) - Corrugated Iron walls and roof.
  • The Linguistic Centre and Library - notable architecture designed by Jack Ruth.
  • Dorelo, Dean, Naz, Nipa and other children's homes. These are also called "Hostels." They are where the youth stay when their parents move to their villages to translate the Bible or do other missionary work.
  • The old clinic.
  • The "Store". Corrugated iron roof AND walls.
  • The Radio Shack and telephone building (now called "CTS").
  • The engineering workshop and auto shop.
  • Ukarumpa International School
  • The post office.
  • The Memorial Teen Centre - (A memorial to Jackie Ruth and Ross Entz, Ukarumpa Teens who each died in vehicle accidents in 1975). (Almost) every Friday they serve burgers and other traditional fast foods.
  • The Printshop.
  • The Guesthouse
  • The Fire station next to Dodson's old house (knocked down in late 1970s).

[edit] Geographical Notes

Altitude: Approx 5200 ft. (or 1500 m )

Climate: Equatorial Highland - cool days and nights with daily afternoon rains during rainy season (approximately November to March).

Flora: "Evergreen" trees (Pine, Eucalyptus, Causarina), Coffee plantations nearby, Kunai grass covered hills.

Located on the Bae'e River. The Bae'e originates upstream from Ukarumpa and runs past the Gadsup village on to Kainantu.

[edit] See also

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