InspirationalPNGeans

Moem to Taurama in 46 days…the PNGDF patrol that did THE 1000km trek in 1975

When Michael Somare and his peers decided they wanted to run their own country, much of the land was  still unconnected by road. It was just a little over 20 years since  the first outsider made contact with people in the highlands

In preparation for that transition, Papua New Guinean soldiers who were,  then,  part of an Australian Army brigade, began preparing for independence.  There was a…

These two kids are the definition of determination and hard CONSISTENT work.

One day, four years ago, Michael Tamty Pais showed up at the office asking if he could work during the holidays. I didn’t know him then. He talked very fast. I had a bit of difficulty understanding him.

Apparently, he had met up with a crew member and asked if he could have a look at the camera. Crew member ignored him…

Caroline Tiriman, veteran ABC broadcaster retires after 40 years

For a Tolai girl growing up between 1960 and 1970, career options were very limited. Forty years ago, that was part of the story for now veteran ABC broadcaster, Caroline Tiriman.

“My mother wanted me to get married,” Caroline says. “It was an arranged married. I didn’t know the guy. He was from the next village and I went to school with his sisters.”

Caroline Tiriman, had just completed high…

Jurgen Ruh, ‘helicopter driver’ who did more than 500 medivacs out of Morobe

For helicopter pilot,  Jurgen Ruh,   each day begins very  early.  Jurgen is a 30 year veteran in the Papua New Guinea aviation industry.

Over the last 10 years,  Jurgen’s   company,   Manolos Aviation,  has since  become an integral part of Morobe’s  community aviation story.  This is  primarily  because  of  the work he has personally  done over the  decade.   It’s sometimes difficult to…

Armed with a school: How a couple are healing tribal conflict & breaking barriers

Students studying the foundations  of electrical wiring.

In 2015, when Thomas Kopari and his wife Martina started the Ipau technical vocational education and training (TVET) school outside of Tari town, they didn’t expect the school to grow as rapidly as it did.

It all started from their passion for education. Thomas was the former Catholic Education Secretary and Martina, has managed the school…

West Papuan matriarch who arrived in PNG at age 16 celebrates her 70th birthday

I once asked my mother how was it that she married at the tender age of 16 and left home for foreign land never to see family again for more than three decades.   She told me: “When your father left for work and I was left alone, it dawned on me that I may never see my family again.

“Silent tears flowed in those quiet moments, tanta (aunty) Wanma noticed, she asked me if papa was not nice to me,…

PNG campaigner-poet-student who wrote hilarious letters to Prince Harry passes on

I never got to meet Cleopatra ‘Waerisa’ Kolta in person.

This morning, while going through my message feeds, I came across a few  that said Cleo had passed on after being ill for a while.  She was only 25. She was  an artist, writer, medical student and a bit more.

What initially drew me to Cleo’s work was the humor and  strength of her character written into it.  She was a leader in her own…

Michael Marum: ‘I had to fight for the Kumul jersey’

For many Papua New Guineans, Michael Marum, is known for his role as the coach of the PNG Hunters team that brought home the Instrust Super Cup in 2017.

At the start of the season, the Hunters went in as the underdogs up against a host of other more experienced teams.

The climb to the top was slow but steady. Papua New Guineans watched as the boys fought to stay in the competition. But towards…

Simon Lukas is a Lae businessman who is owed about K60,000 by the Lae City Council.

Mr. Lukas owns a small automotive parts shop in Lae City.

While talking to him about his difficulties, we also found that he has been rebuilding old Toyota Landcruisers for a living.

This is slowing becoming an income stream for him with no shortage of customers willing to pay up to K80,000 for a rebuilt vehicle.

Twenty years ago, Edith Babul’s, young son, collected the seeds of a rather exotic Indian Guava fruit he found smashed on a road.

It was, at the time, a seemingly tiny deed done by a child for his mum. But over two decades, those seeds became a plantation of Indian guava trees whose fruits are now sold in Lae City.

“He found the seeds and said, ‘mum likes this fruit’ and he brought back about…

Old hands in the business: The #PNG honey experts who are replacing imports

For more than 30 years, Tella Loie, worked in the public service as a honeybee specialist.

His entire career was dedicated to building the capacity of bee keepers in the Easter Highlands. While he was presented with opportunities to go into business, he turned them down and continued to help bee keepers in the Eastern Highlands.

In 2016, Tella Loie, quit the public service and, in an old…

How Mapai owner, Jacob Luke, created 10 new trucking companies, each owned by his drivers

For four years, I’ve been trying to trying to get a proper interview with the owner of Mapai Transport Jacob Luke.

It’s not that he is difficult or that my requests have been snubbed. He always distracts me with a story and then tells me… “We have to do it later when I’m ready…” or   “…when I have my thoughts together, I’ll call you.”

In recent years he has said… “You have to come and work with…

The late Jerry Ginua, an inspiration to many who followed the path |By Eva Kuson

It was my first day on the job with Kundu2 TV in 2011. My late dad escorted me to my new job.

He was so proud, announcing to every Tom, Dick and Harry on the way to the studio that I finally got employed.

It was a tradition; from my internships to my real paying job, he made sure he came with me.

We entered the studios and there we met the greatest newsman in Papua New Guinea, Jerry Ginua. I…

Michael Pais sold drinks to make money for a calculator, scored distinctions in year 10

In 2016, Michael Pais found us.

He was in grade 9 when he approached cameraman, Raguel Kepas, during a job and asked if he could have a look at the camera.

They told me that he showed great interest in TV and journalism.

About a week later, Michael showed up at the EMTV office, asking if he could see me. I met with him and he asked if he could do some work experience during his holidays.  No…

There’s not much left to say, the facts have been stated and so much love shared that I felt overwhelmed until now.

From a distance, behind a mic on thebsidelines was as close as I ever got to the aura of Kato Otio.

He was fleet footed and his runs seemed to unfurl in slow motion, almost in midair all the time – like even gravity couldn’t hold him down.

Having not followed his journey prior to…

Paul Titus, an inspirational tale of struggle, success and forgiveness

Paul Titus was born in Simbu. His father, Yol, died of prostate cancer when he was eight. His young widowed mother suffered abuse at the hands of his uncles wives who distrusted her. When he was 10, his mother abandoned Paul and his two bothers. They were mistreated for many years. Paul recalled having to steal food to survive. He was able to get a scholarship and study in New Zealand. Years…