Land of the Unexpected

Joy is a nurse midwife who began her career in 1967 when she travelled to Papua New Guinea as a newly qualified graduate. What was intended as a professional opportunity quickly became a life-changing journey.Working first in the coastal Sepik District and later in remote Highland communities, Joy experienced a world vastly different from the one she had known. Her years in Papua New Guinea brought her into contact with dedicated colleagues, vibrant communities, and a culture undergoing rapid and profound change.Through her work and lived experience, Joy witnessed the resilience and adaptability of people navigating the transition from traditional ways of life to a modern world. Her memoir reflects a deep respect for the land, its people, and the extraordinary period of history she was privileged to be part of.