Everyday people PNG

Before I started with the Arts theatre, I was unemployed and doing voluntary work for NGO’S at the time, and getting myself occupied in helping out where I could.

It wasn’t until a friend of mine working at Moresby Arts introduced me to their president Bob Stanley.

I was actually in the process of looking for vacancies there when he and his team took me in and made me a part of this wonderful unit. They have been nothing short of amazing since I joined in 2018.

Hailing from Gulf Province, Michael grew up in Gerehu and now raises his own family in the suburb as well.

Michael says the eldest of his children is 18 years old and therefore, has voted for the leader he believes has the most experience and plans that will help develop the community by making sure that basic services are being provided and children remain in schools with proper learning facilities.

I was in school but then things didn’t work out the way I planned. I was at UPNG doing second year law but before I reached third year I didn’t make it through.

Richard Mark is my brother and he owns the Sup na Kumu SME. I volunteered to help my brother because I was inspired by his business idea, his passion for cooking. I myself love cooking. I’m like the chef at home.

I came here to see if my uncles can help me get into grade 7 but they didn’t help me. I thought my uncle who lives in Popondetta would help me but he couldn’t so I got tired of living in Moresby and went back home.  

At that time there were not too many people from my village were working in the city and they had no money to help me so I went back home in 1999.  Then in 2002 I came back to Moresby and got involved in church activities and we used to go places. But then in 2007 my dad passed away so I went home.  

This is my first year of teaching. Well before I came here I was teaching back at home at ARoB at St. Mary’s Asitavi Secondary, it’s an all girls’ school.

About today it’s quite an overwhelming feeling. It’s a very special day especially for us 700 students who have graduated today with Bachelor of Education in Secondary teaching. For me after all these years of my education journey and up until now it’s the very happiest moment of my life and I’m also looking forward to other endeavours or achievements that I would like to add onto this degree paper that I got.

I just recently completed my studies at International Training Institute where I studied Information Technology and a job search is on my mind every day.

I have two brothers who are still living with my parents back home in Enga. Life in Port Moresby, all of us know that it is very tough. While in search of a job, I joined the sport of body building to keep me occupied and focused.

I miss my family back in Wapenamanda, so it can get emotionally and mentally difficult sometimes.

 Last year we finished all our courses and we got the grades.

Then they sent us out to the field to teach. It happens like that, we have to go out to the field first then we come back to graduate.

Right now I am so happy, I am very happy because it has been my dream to become a teacher since I was a child and right now receiving that Bachelor Degree in Teaching.

I am a session bass player and technician by profession in the repair and maintenance of electronic goods.

I have been in the music industry for the past 10 years and not only am I still doing it, but, shockingly, I’m still extremely optimistic and still finding new successes from what I have learned.

I am currently playing for and with the Weimog Rock Band, and we have been playing in clubs in the city and anywhere else and for whatever reason that our music can take us.

In February this year, our gigs took us to perform live at the National Museum.

Michael is the Vice Chairman for the Scripture Union Volunteers in Port Moresby.

On Friday, 28^th of May, Michael and the team of volunteers served breakfast to the students of Bavaroko Primary School as part of the Scripture Union’s Sumatin Feed Program set up in 2018.

Michael regards himself as a city person as has lived in Port Moresby for most of his life. Gerehu Stage 6 is home for Michael.

Driving a taxi at the age of 63 is a more recent job that I acquired to get through every day struggles, prior to that I worked in the electoral commission for a number of years as an Enumerator for the Electoral commission and many other odd jobs here and there.

Since 1963, I have been through the weather going from job to job and to creating my own businesses. The journey has not been a smooth ride and I have had my fair share of disappointments. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, “Should you fail; you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and try again.”