ITF/USTF TAEKWON-DO

Master Sereff's Good Will Tour

to Papua New Guinea

April 10-15, 1995

Check out Master Sereff and Mr. Akard amongst the Papua New Guinea tribespeople!
(click for larger versions of the pictures):
Mr. and Mrs. Rocky Roundthwaite, formally of New Zealand, sent a personal invitation to Master Sereff, President of the USTF, and Mr. Fred Akard, Chief of Staff of the USTF, to visit Papu New Guinea in the South Pacific to teach the Mt. Hagen Police Taekwon-Do Club a seminar, and to conduct the testing needed to promote Mr. Roundthwaite to V Dan ITF. With General Choi's permission, the trip was planned.

Inspector N. Gihigupa, President of the ITF of Papua New Guinea, presented a "seminar certificate" stating that "Master C.E. Sereff, Councillor and Senior Tribesman, was the cause of great pain, suffering and distress, but was instrumental in imparting knowledge, wisdom and enthusiasm, whilst avoiding all compensation, payback and brideprice during the 3 day seminar held from April 6th to 9th, 1995."

Congratulations to Mr. Roundthwaite for an excellent testing for his V Dan ITF. Special thanks to Mrs. Roundthwaite for furthering the education and making Papua New Guinea a better place. Her special efforts in helping educate the people about women's place throughout the world has made a difference. Keeping in mind that the pecking order in Papua New Guinea is men, boys, emu's, pigs, then women and finally girls, Mrs. Roundthwaite has her hands full! The Roundthwaites have only the rest of this year in Papua New Guinea and then move on to another adventure.

The pigeon English spoken in Papua New Guinea was translated for a huge welcome to Master Sereff and Mr. Akard. "We've heard a lot about you and we are happy to see you both in person. We, the members if International Taekwon-Do Federation, our families and fellow tribesmen, welcome you with sincere hearts and we will take care if you in a hospitality that is truly our own. We cannot offer something luxurious but we will offer you our open hearts, our culture and our people. These gifts are more luxurious than anything that money can buy. Welcome, Humble Warriors, to our land."

This was the first time that a demonstration was put on for some of the local tribesmen, including some local headhunters! The warm reception given was the start of a beautiful friendship. "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay fro a while and leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never the same!". Master Sereff realises now that there are places where true Taekwon-Do lives without politics. No uniforms, no money, no clothes, no shoes, 90-95% unemployment, nothing ... only true Taekwon-Do.

(Submitted by Ms. R. Sereff)