In Papua New Guinea, not many children in rural areas are fortunate enough to complete a university education.
Many leave schools in Grades 9 and 10, and even after Grade 12, due to financial difficulties, lack of motivation, and many other factors.
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Only a few manage to push through great struggles and succeed.
Clayten Job’s story reminds us how a village kid can prioritize education, even with limited resources and little support from family.
Clayten, 25, hails from Tarabo Village in Okapa, Eastern Highlands Province.
Like many other children, he had a simple, fun, and enjoyable childhood in the mountains and meadows of Okapa.
His elementary and primary school years were particularly memorable.
After completing Grade 8 at Tarabo Lutheran Primary School, he continued to Grade 9 at the newly established Tarabo High School, also in the Okapa District.
As a young boy growing up, he was exposed to many new things, both good and bad. He was ambitious about his future.
His teachers encouraged him to take his studies seriously, pursue further education at a tertiary institution, and secure decent employment for a better life.
These words did not fall on deaf ears; they sank deep into Clayten’s heart, inspiring him to strive toward the future his teachers described.
Clayten was blessed to be raised in an Adventist home, where his mother paid close attention to him and his siblings, teaching and guiding them to remain faithful in church and live disciplined lives.
His mother was his greatest inspiration, urging him to see the bigger picture of life and one day uplift the family’s standard of living.
In 2019, after completing Grade 10 at Tarabo High School, he was selected to attend Okapa Secondary School for Grade 11.
Okapa Secondary School is located several kilometers from his home, requiring a seven- to eight-hour walk to and from school during weekends and holidays.
When he returned home on weekends, his parents would give him K10 to K20 for lunch and stationery.
He never complained about the small amount; he understood the struggles they endured.
Sympathizing with their efforts, he gratefully accepted whatever little they provided.
He prayed for God’s blessing upon it and managed it carefully under a strict budget at school.
He continued this way until he completed Grade 12 in 2021.
In 2022, Clayten was accepted to study for a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations at the University of Papua New Guinea.
This was great news for his family, relatives, and the entire community, as he was the first from his area to reach university level. He was overjoyed.
However, for a village boy whose parents had no stable income, continuing his studies at the university was a real challenge.
He pursued it with the support of close relatives; his parents managed to cover the compulsory fees and get him enrolled.
Unable to afford boarding and lodging, he resided off campus while attending classes.
As a non-residential student living in Erima, Clayten faced daily financial challenges with transportation to and from school.
The little assistance from relatives in the city and distant family members was not enough to cover bus fares, lunch, and other essentials.
He was fortunate to have generous classmates who sometimes offered him lunch, bus fare, and small amounts of money to help him get by.
Despite these challenges, Clayten maintained strong faith in God, believing that He alone has solutions to every problem in life.
With the Lord’s help, Clayten completed his four years of study at the University of Papua New Guinea.
Today, Clayten has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Papua New Guinea.
Clayten’s story reminds young Papua New Guineans to push through struggles and pursue their dreams, even when resources and support are limited.