Citation

Poore PD, Lloyd T. Trop. Doct. 1984; 14(2): 89-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

6729981

Abstract

The Dua Dua Theatre Company was formed in Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1978 by 2 voluntary social workers as an outlet for unemployed "school leavers." The original group consisted of 6 boys and girls aged 13-17, each with an average of 6 years of primary education. They had poor job prospects and some had been in trouble with the police. In March, 1980 the Morobe Province Food and Nutrition Group--an informal group which was concerned with improving health and nutrition--asked Dua Dua to prepare a short play about nutrition, to be performed in urban community schools. 2000 kina (about $1500 US) was made available to fund this project. A play was written about the importance of the food groups and the dangers of eating junk food. Teachers were asked to discuss the production with their classes the following day. Nutrition and health were already in the primary schools' syllabus. The tour of the play was extended to urban health centers and rural schools and communities. The play was seen in more than 40 schools, health centers, and villages by an estimated 10,000 adults and children. The value of this experience to the Dua Dua players was immense. Having previously been recognized as a "rascal group," (local terminology for young offenders) they were now recognized as a professional theater company doing important community work. In 1981, the local committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons voted a small proportion of their budget to the promotion of accident prevention. They invited Dua Dua Theatre to prepare a play on this topic. The play evolved from discussions with the players about accidents experienced in early childhood. These included falling from trees, drinking kerosene from unmarked bottles, incidents involving knives, razor blades, and traffic accidents. All these and more were shown in the play. The Dua Dua Theatre was receiving financial support from the province.

Language: en