By Alex Paul Vinlubes
I am a product of a defactor relationship. My mum was a 17 year old high school girl who met this 19 year old guy in one of the Teachers College. They had an affair, and I was the result of that affair.
My father wanted to marry her, but his relatives refused her. Mum remarried to another guy, which she was living happily and I was treated by her new husband as his own son. She gave birth to three children for that man.
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| Difficult Road Often Leads To Beautiful Destination. Photo by Alex Paul Vinlubes |
After sometime, I realised that my mum was raising me with the man who's not my father so I have decided to reside with my grandmother. My mum's only brother was very young too, and had left home for his advancement so I lived with my grandmother alone.
Life got more tougher when my grandmother died. There was no one to look after me. I started to steal garden foods from other people's gardens just to live & see another day. I was trying to go to my father, but I was afraid of my Mom's relatives because they had contributed so much in my life to raise me.
Concerning my school performance, I was the dux student from Primary to High School. However, family support was lacking. When I realised that life was really tough, I had decided to come to Port Moresby.
When I was in Pom, I had decided to secure a space to continue my Grade 11, unfortunately I was unable to secure a space so I stayed back and was looking for a Job.
Fortunately, I got an opportunity to work with the Corps Security Firm so I worked with this security firm for 2 years. Within these two years, I saved some of my money with a hope that I would continue with my education.
After securing some funds, I went back to do my grades 11 and 12 in Central province. The school there was a run down school, & that has affected the standard of the teaching & learning.
As a result of this, I didn't pass my Gr12 exams. My aim was to take up studies at Lae Unitech, unfortunately, that didn't come true.
I was thinking that this is the end of my Education Journey. It really broke my heart as I was thinking that all my struggles & hardships that I went through while searching for education has just ended. It was really a unbearable pain. After so much struggling, this isn't what I deserve & yes, taught like that rushing into my mind.
Some time later, to my surprise, a big brother of mine, Wilson Kopeapp, made my way possible and pushed me through to further my education at the University of Papua New Guinea.
I was successfully enrolled as a UPNG student & I successfully completed my first year of study.
However, to continue my second year, I didn't have a school fee. So i withdrew from my studies & stayed back doing sales on the streets of Port Moresby so that I could raise some funds for my school fees to continue my second year.
Unfortunately, that phenomenon continued - studying one year & withdraw from my studies the next year. All these happened because of school fees.
After 9 solid years, I finally graduated with double Degrees & a Diploma in 2020.
I broke the University rule - A student can graduate with a double Degree but they will give only one Bamboo. But in my case, I got 2 separate bamboos for two Degrees at the same time
After all, I got what my eyes were fixed on - the bamboos!
I've got so much to say especially to encourage & inspire someone especially students who may be in a similar situation like I once was. But for now, I will stop here.
My life story is very painful. It is good to face a real challenges in life at a very young age. Without the care of Parents, that is where a young kid like me developed a spirit of Boldness. At this stage, I am already a man, I can handle what life throws at me.
I just want to encourage some young people especially the students out there who entirely depend on their Parents. Thought you may come from a very good family, & you may get your help or assistance from..... Left......Right..... &..... Center but I just want to encourage you that you are so fortunate, thus, you must be wise in how you manage & use those blessings that you are getting.
There will be a time, you will be faced with the real test of life. You will deal with a real challenges that life will throw at you. Nature always balance things. Some people may be happy today but tomorrow they would cry. Some people may cry today but tomorrow, they will be happy.
Nature always balance things, this is the Law of Nature.
People who are so careful in managing things accordingly would be able to overcome every situations.
Life Is Not Easy. Don't Lose Hope. If you're a struggling student, make use of what is available - improvise. Most importantly, don't forget God, even if you are not a Church goer.
Edited & Publish By: Albertis Photography
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