Yer is his name.
Yer is a tall handsome 20 year old Simbu lad. He completed his year 12 at the Kerowagi Secondary school in the Simbu province at he end of 2008.
A few weeks into the Christmas vacation an offer of a place at the University of Vudal arrives. There is great joy and celebration among the family, as one of them has won a placing at University, a result every rural parent looks forward to for all her/his children.
But hang on, there is a catch! The Ministry and Office of Higher Education Science and Technology is unable to offer a sponsorship as Yer's Grade Point Average (GPS) is 0.1 point below their requirement at 2.4, and they require 2.5 or above . The parents find that they have to come up with all the tuition, board and lodging, and travel to and from the University of Vudal, a total just over K7000.00 (US $2400, Au$1800).
Well, the parents while at first taken aback, are not daunted. They dig up there meager K1200 savings over the last three years, and go looking and asking among their relatives, friends and 'wantoks' in the hope of raising the remaining K6000. Yer, their son goes to the Simbu Provicial Administrator for assistance, as he is a family friend.
At the end of three weeks, just before the University of Vudal opens its academic year, they have raised just K300, bringing the total to K1500 - only 22% of the total requirement.
So while many of his school and class mates fly off to their new tertiary institutions, young Yer with all his dreams and ambitions goes bush. He left his family home, telling his parents not to look for him or to even think of him. The parents suspect he is living with his uncles in another part of the Simbu Province, but they have respected his need to be alone by not looking for him. They have not seen or heard from their fist born for nine months now. They are working hard to save enough to send him on in the coming year. But will they have enough by the time Vudal opens for 2010?
Is Yer's case a rare one for families in Rural Papua New Guinea, I ask?
Why are only a few people in PNG 'filthy rich' while the bulk or masses struggle to make ends meet?
Where is legal justice?
Where is natural justice?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
K6000 is not measly money if you do not have it, it is life changing/impacting money.
ReplyDeleteAND
his life has not turned useless because his family do not have the cash.
I am very surprised that as a lecturer at a university in PNG, where you are in daily contact with young minds and the next generation of leaders that you should coin such a title. What you imply is if all your students couldnot afford the fees and had to leave their studies then they would all be useless?
Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteYes,
You are probably correct. While I do not wish to dispute your view, I should point out that this is a rural family who struggled over three years to save money, but they could not reach the target for the required amount.
Furthermore I wonder if the the young man I wrote of is a one off/rare case for families in PNG?
Pangurawa, you post a very touching end note, Where is natural justice?...Many like this young Simbu are going missing in rural PNG, and the question is to the point..How can the National government & Leaders turn that 'millions' coming out of all the natural resources into education of such future potential...Perhaps it does not answer the question but keeps the dog chasing his tail..cry my beloved PNG...
ReplyDeletemberllm
ReplyDeleteThanks for your supportive comment - I have watched big shots play away more than K6000 at pokies clubs in one night in POM clubs/night clubs.
ReplyDeleteAre you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us creditloan11@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAre you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us creditloan11@gmail.com
Are you in need of a loan? Do you want to pay off your bills? Do you want to be financially stable? All you have to do is to contact us for more information on how to get started and get the loan you desire. This offer is open to all that will be able to repay back in due time. Note-that repayment time frame is negotiable and at interest rate of 3% just email us creditloan11@gmail.com
ReplyDelete