VOLUNTARY community service worked very well throughout the country many years ago.
A hold from the colonial era under councillors and very effective ‘village committees’ this weekly one or two-day routine ensured the effective upkeep of cleanliness and order, giving communities an almost palpable sense of belonging and ultimately pride in being part of a society.
At least a day each week was set aside for all adult members of the community, village or ward to turn to volunteer in a communal activity.
Whether it was erecting a community centre or building a home for a widow, cutting grass along the access road or repairing a classroom, people showed up, got the work done and left for their homes satisfied and happy.
No one complained about excessive work as everyone did his or her fair share.
Nothing more was expected of anyone.
Women who were not actively involved with the work at hand or who were specifically assigned ensured food was provided to the community members who worked throughout the whole day.
Having completed the day’s task, everyone was happy that they had at least contributed labour, materials and ideas to something that would serve the whole community.
Although some parts of the country still enforce it to great advantage, most other areas have forgotten this voluntary surrender of one’s time to do something worthwhile for the greater good of all.
The negative consequences of abandoning this practice, combined with the incursion of new ideas such as expectation of payment in cash or kind for any work done, are starkly evident today.
Instead of a community spirit, there is anti-social behaviour, a neglect of the upkeep of community services such as roads, health posts and schools providing basic social and economic services that communities rely on.
The concept of community service also saved a lot of time and resources as well compared to paying individual workers to do something over a long period, as opposed to the whole community doing it for free and in shorter time.
If a system that good has worked well at the physical and psychological or social level, why have we abandoned it? Why not apply this wonderful concept not only in village communities, but in urban centres and public service establishments more specifically.
It can be done, as shown by policemen and women in Kundiawa town this week.
The Chimbu provincial police commander (PPC) and his charges have started such an initiative this month conducting awareness as well to ensure there is no littering, buying, selling items like betel nuts within the town area.
PPC Supt Mazuc Rubiang and his men and women will be out policing a law that has been openly flouted by all and sundry not only in Kundiawa but practically all around the country.
Illegal vending has been allowed to spread all across the country’s town and cities and at great risk at places like traffic lights and busy streets.
The Summary Offences Act of 2018 clearly outlaws such activities like selling at traffic lights, but apparently a K10,000 fine or a three-year jail term are not strong enough deterrents for some.
But truth be told, such illegal activity is let to go on and spread because the vendor is merely driven by demand.
So long as any number of middle class Papua New Guineans in their tinted sedans and SUVs, including those in marked police vehicles continue to stop at road intersections and buy betel nuts or cigarettes, the vendors will be happy to provide the service even at the risk of being knocked down by a motorist.
The vendor breaks the law and the buyer abets the breaking of the law.
Which of the two should bear the most guilt, one might ask.
What the police force in Kundiawa town is embarking on is not a new idea.
Community service has worked well for the country so why can’t this happen again?
Think about the difference it would make if applied in all public service establishments.
For one thing, the cost of simple maintenance and general cleanliness of offices would be slashed by some measure.
And think about the sense of pride and community it would bring to all involved.
