Just like many youths driven by the spirit of entrepreneurship, Japhet Yasim was inspired by that same passion.
The fire within him continued to grow, eventually leading him to start a chicken poultry project at his village in Western Highlands Province.
Mr. Yasim completed his secondary education at a local school in 2022.
He had applied to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Technology, but unfortunately, he was not selected.
As a result, he stayed home in 2023 and later applied as a non-school leaver to the University of Papua New Guinea through the external mode to undertake the Science Foundation Year, where he was accepted.
While at home in 2023, he began raising chickens to sell in order to support his school fees for the following year.
During this time, a strong vision developed within him-an idea he could not ignore-to establish a full-scale poultry project at his village.
In 2024, he moved to Port Moresby to pursue his studies at the University of Papua New Guinea’s Waigani Campus.
Despite being away from home, his dream of starting a poultry project remained strong.
While he was studying, his family continued to raise chickens on his behalf.
They saw it as a way to generate income to support his education.
“I only spent money on basic needs, not unnecessary things. My focus was to save and invest in starting my poultry project back in my village,” Mr. Yasim said.
Towards the end of Semester Two in 2024, tragedy struck when his biological mother passed away.
He was forced to withdraw from his studies and returned to Mt. Hagen to attend her funeral.
“I had to go back because some of my siblings could not make it. It was important for me to be there to lay our mother to rest,” he told PNG SUN.
In 2025, he returned to Port Moresby to continue his studies.
However, he had to remain home during Semester One and re-register for Semester Two.
During this period at home, he stayed with his cousin, who taught him valuable life skills.
“My cousin taught me many things, including how to register a business with IPA, apply for an IRC TIN, and open a bank account,” Mr. Yasim explained.
He began practicing these skills by helping others register their business names, and it proved successful.
This experience inspired him to register his own business.
As time went on, he completed his Semester Two studies and returned to Mt. Hagen during the Christmas holidays.
He brought with him customized merchandises for his business to distribute to those who supported him.
Back in his village, he mobilized local youths and community members to help him construct a large poultry warehouse capable of accommodating up to 50 boxes of chickens.
“As of now, the warehouse is complete, but I do not have enough funds to purchase the chicks because I used all my savings to build the structure,” he said.
Despite this challenge, he remains determined.
“This will not stop me. I will keep pushing because I believe this project will greatly benefit my community,” Mr. Yasim stated.
He further explained that there is a clear market opportunity for poultry products in Mt. Hagen.
“I took time to consult business houses in Mt. Hagen, and they gave me positive feedback. That really motivated me to continue with what I am doing,” he added.
During the project’s launch, the entire community came out in support, including the ward councilor.
Mr. Yasim emphasized the importance of self-reliance in today’s challenging economic environment.
“We must create our own jobs in these tough times. I always draw motivation from Mr. Wesley Roy’s statement: ‘Let’s take back PNG through SME,’” he concluded.