Driven by a calling to serve isolated communities,
teaching couple Rebecca and Thomas Bulage are shaping
young lives at the Yifki Christian School, a learning centre established in 2020 in a remote community connected to the outside world by MAF flights.
When you land at Yifki airstrip, you can’t help but notice the smart-looking buildings of Yifki Christian School, in stark contrast to their rugged surrounds.
This is something special: it’s the first school ever in this particular area of the Hewa tribe.
The vision for the school grew from the community’s hunger for education, starting with a teacher and a few children meeting in the church. Since then, it’s progressed into a well-equipped permanent learning centre, through the vast efforts of locals and New Tribes Mission missionaries.
For Thomas and Rebecca Bulage, their teaching post at Yifki is a long way from home. While both were raised in a more comfortable urban setting, this has not deterred their commitment in helping Papua New Guinea’s underserved communities.
“I love teaching in very remote areas, where I can share God’s Word and also teach the students at the academy,” says Thomas.
Rebecca shares that same heart, describing their mission of imparting knowledge and sowing the Gospel of Christ into young lives.
“What motivates us to serve in this remote place is the desire to teach, disciple, and share God’s Word with the children,” she says.
The couple started teaching at Yifki about a year ago and have since witnessed the impact of Christian education made possible through aviation support.
“We are truly grateful to MAF and New Tribes Mission Aviation, because without the teaching materials, our students would not be able to learn effectively,” Thomas adds.
Reaching Tari, the nearest township, requires a three to four-day trek over rivers and rugged terrain – a journey that MAF reduces to just half an hour by air.
For the Hewa people, that 30 minutes changes everything.
STORY / KOWARA BELL PHOTOS / ANNELIE EDSMYR & AQUILA MATIT
This story was originally published in "Flying for Life - Spring 2026." To View the full issue, click here.