An energetic couple are far from winding down in their 50s, embracing a high-altitude lifestyle in the jungle. In 2019, David and Caroline Moore celebrated their 50s by moving from Cornwall to Papua New Guinea.
The couple live on a mission compound in Mount Hagen, which sits deep in the mountainous Western Highlands. David, aged 55, is Maintenance Manager for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – the world’s largest humanitarian air service.
MAF pilots are thought to face some of the most challenging flying conditions in the world to land in Papua New Guinea and deliver aid, medicine, and essential supplies to isolated communities. David oversees the maintenance of more than 70 MAF houses, 18 vehicles, and seven aircraft hangars - he also trains a team of 18 local maintenance engineers.
On living in Papua New Guinea, David says: “Each day my mood can go from one to ten – it’s a bit like bungee jumping. It’s high adrenaline, but there is a huge sense of purpose in it all, given the needs that exist here. MAF is making a tangible difference.”
David suffered from asthma as a child, and has been in and out of hospitals - and reliant on medication - his entire life. In 2018, he caught pneumonia - which turned to sepsis - and ended up in ICU spending three months in recovery.
It was a turning point in his life which made him consider a job with ‘greater purpose.’ David says: “I’d heard about MAF as a kid and remember being excited about their work – it looked cool, technical and high-impact. But life took over – I had a great career and two wonderful kids.
"Lying in a hospital in 2018 made me want to do something with greater purpose. I saw an advert and applied. Our later-life adventure began, and we’ve never looked back.”
David has seen a huge improvement in his health since living abroad. He explains: “I blew my first-ever normal breathing test this year. I’ve been on drugs my entire life for my asthma, but the altitude, clean air and new lifestyle seems to have been deeply healing."
After their two children left home, David and Caroline discovered a love of ballroom dancing. With a handful of local couples, they began an informal dance group to reconnect after the busyness of parenting but in Papua New Guinea it is frowned upon to have physical contact with the opposite sex – even if you are married – so they keep up their hobby in private.
Caroline explains: "Everything is different, but we still love dancing.” During the evenings, the couple draw the curtains, turn the music on and dance their hearts away.
David and Caroline are currently back in Cornwall for some much-needed R&R and catching up with their family. “I really miss the English seaside, and of course my wonderful kids,” Caroline admits.
Find out more about MAF here.
