Introducing Ken Calvert - pt.2
Returning to Southland in the early 1980’s, Ken accepted the position of minister of the Centre Bush Presbyterian Parish, which included South Hillend and Dipton). Here the Reverend Ken and Cicely Calvert enjoyed a fruitful ministry with the support of Clyde and Lesley MacClure, and local woodworker Jim Robbie. As providence would have it,Ken’s three sons transferred from Dunedin’s John McGlashan College to Central Southland College, where they made good friends, achieved academic success and found fellowship in the church youth group.
In 1990 Ken and Cicely once again heeded the missionary call, this time to the Eastern Highland Province of PNG (Papua New Guinea).
The provincial capital is Goroka. The province covers an area of 11,157 km², and has a population of 579,825 (2011 census). The province shares a common administrative boundary with Madang Province to the north, Morobe Province to the east, Gulf Province to the south, and Simbu Province to the west. The province is the home of the Asaro mud mask that is displayed at shows and festivals within the province and in the country. It is reachable by air and road transport.
There Ken’s science background was put to work for the PNG Coffee Project, with assistance from the ATI, (Appropriate Technology Institute), an American charity with connections to former US President Jimmy Carter. Over time they perfected the art of growing, harvesting and roasting the red berry into the familiar brown coffee bean, which made not only made for a good cup of coffee, but brought the local community much needed employment and cash.
