33-year-old tops class

A 33-year-old man who spent 14 years in his village after dropping out of school, is the proud dux of Morobe High School’s Grade 10.
Dasiga Kamene scooped the top prize last Saturday at the school’s graduation ceremony.
His achievement now gives hope to the Morobe local level government area near the Morobe-Oro provincial border, which has been without a high school for many years.
Kamene, who spent 14 years in his village after dropping out of school, struggled last year in all his Grade 9 subjects after being accepted into Morobe High School.
But he showed perseverance by accomplishing the near impossible when he topped Grade 10 this year, and in the process scooped awards in almost every subject.
Hailing from Dona village, Kamene faced the challenge of being alone with his 59-year-old single mother Wawa, who despite being deserted by her husband a decade ago, managed to raise Kamene and his two brothers.
After the graduation ceremony, Kamene, who was being congratulated like all the other graduates by parents and well-wishers, broke down when he met his proud mum.
Wawa could only say “thank you” from her heart as she shook her son’s hands.