Ben thrives from parents’ advice

By ZACHERY PER
BEN Aso, 53, of Komperi Valley in Eastern Highlands likes to give to, than receive from, others.
He strongly believes in the saying that a person who gives is much happier than the person who receives.
“I am much happier when I see those who receive from me happy.”
Ben was taught at a young age the art of giving and helping others. His mother Talis Aso advised him a lot about the virtues of giving. His father Aso Tikaso, a former prison warden from 1960s to 1980s taught him to always strive for success and be a man of value to others.
“I never forget his words to this day.”
But Ben and his father had a falling out when he dropped out of Grade 10.
“My father’s expectations for me to fulfill his dreams were shattered when I dropped out of Grade 10. He had expected me to be crowned with prizes and awards at graduations, to make him as proud as the dads of my school mates.”
His father was so mad that he did not want anything else to do with him.
“I felt rejected and disheartened. I thought that was the end of the world for me and the last chapter of my education life.”
He began mixing around with his peers doing bad things. But his mum came to the rescue.
“I remember the time my mum advised me not to lose hope but to always remember that when one door closes, another opens. Her words encouraged me not to give up and to try other alternatives.”
He enrolled at the Lae Technical College in the late 80s for a heavy equipment diesel fitting course.

“ I am encouraging young people in my village not to be too dependent on handouts but also to have big dreams, prioritise education and believe in themselves that one day they will be successful.”

He was later recruited by a company. He did not mind the small wage he earned as long as he gained work experience and complete his apprentice with the company.
Ben finally ended up with Barrick Niugini, the operator of the Porgera mine as a heavy equipment diesel fitter 25 years ago. He became an underground mining mobile maintenance supervisor until the mine was forced to close last year.
He and wife Cecelia decided to run a bus service which was an everyday need for people travelling to and from Kainantu, Henganofi and Goroka. They called it the Letro Bus Services.
Ben also used his money to build a permanent water supply project for his Kinkio village in Henganofi district.
When he was laid off by the mine at Porgera after it was forced to close, the company gave Ben some money to help him while awaiting the resumption of operation.
He spent some of that money to build the water supply for the 4,000 people in four villages from July to September last year.
“I realised during the opening of our water supply that it was a remarkable achievement in my life.”
Villagers from Tusi, Keka, Kaytupa and Hagefi are now enjoying clean water and have thanked Ben for it.
“The opening of the water supply was on the eve of the 45th Independence anniversary – a perfect Independence gift for the people. I am very happy indeed and satisfied to see the villagers share part of my harvest.”
He is waiting for the reopening of the mine and to move on with his life.
“I am encouraging young people in my village not to be dependent on handouts but to have big dreams, prioritise education and believe in themselves that one day they will be successful.”
And more importantly, share what they have with others.