The Awar people, numbering about 800, live in three main villages along Hansa Bay on the North coast of Papua New Guinea. They are subsistence farmers, growing most of their own food in large gardens. Their proximity to the ocean gives them access to some great fishing in the bay. Many of the Awar raise cash crops of copra, vanilla, and cocoa.

Hansa bay was major Japanese air and sea base during World War Two. Today it is a popular dive site and until recently was the location of an environmental research station. A large coconut plantation is located on the north end of the bay. Of all the Ottilien language groups, the Awar is the only one to have year round road access.

All of this is to say that the Awar have had a long history of exposure and access to development and the "outside." This has resulted in a fairly high level of economic and educational development. This development has, however, come at a cost. Over the years, many elements of the traditional culture have been lost. In addition many of the young people have little or no knowledge of the Awar language.

This is a major concern to the Awar leaders. They are right in thinking that if the language is lost, much of the traditional culture will go with it. Therefore the leaders are working to encourage a renewal of language use and cultural awareness. When we presented our desire to work with them on a translation and literacy program, the leaders were quick to embrace the idea. They see this an a potential answer to their concerns.

Like most of the people groups of this area, the Awar have had a long history of contact with Christianity beginning with the Catholic missionaries who came to the area in the years before WWII. But even with this long contact, many of the Awar do not see the gospel has having any relevance to their lives, depending instead on traditional religious practices.

An alphabet has already been developed for the Awar language. Twenty-one men and women participated in a writers workshop in Awar in July 2003. Several story books were produced from this workshop.