Brave Elijah never stops believing

The National People

By HANNAH NERO
ELIJAH Damke is leaving for Japan on a scholarship to get a Masters’ degree in chemical engineering and pursue a career in the oil and gas industry.
He was one of the five awarded the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology scholarship on March 15.
The 27-year-old from Yambi village in Wosera-Gawi district, East Sepik is the older of two children born to Hillary and Susie Damke.
“There are only two of us in the family. I have a younger sister Grace. My dad is the head master of the Morata Vocational Center. My mother works for the Family Court in Downtown.”
After completing Grade 12 at the Port Moresby National High School in 2016, he declined an offer to pursue a technical trade (mechanical) certificate at the Mt Hagen Technical College. But in 2017, he received offers from the National Polytechnic Institute of PNG (Polytech) to pursue a Diploma in Electrical Engineering programme, and from the Asia-Pacific University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to pursue a Bachelor in Petroleum Engineering programme.

“ I always keep on trying even though the system or environment rejects me. I take these rejections as a motivation to do much better next time.”
Elijah Damke (right) with the Japanese Ambassador to PNG Nobuyuki Watanabe in Port Moresby.

He accepted the latter, went to Kuala Lumpur in February 2018, and graduated in 2022.
On his return, he tried to get a job in the petroleum sector but failed. He was recruited by the BSP Financial Group Limited as a branchless banking sales officer in Waigani. He was later moved around to other sections in the bank.
But his interest to work in the petroleum industry never faded.
“I did not give up. I continued to apply to petroleum companies but none got back to me. I always keep on trying even though the system or environment rejects me. I take these rejections as a motivation to do much better next time.”
He applied for scholarships too, and was offered one by the Japanese Government for a Masters in Chemical Engineering degree programme at the Tohoku University, Sendai City, Miyagi, Japan. He will start there on April 8.
Elijah thanks BSP for employing him in the past 18 months and training him “to be who I am today”.
“They taught me communication skills, leadership qualities, time management, personal grooming and attire.
“I thank all the managers in the different business units for their motivation, encouragement and leadership that played a part in my career development.”
As he embarks on his journey to pursue a Masters in Chemical Engineering degree in Japan, Elijah wants to further develop a career in the field he always have an interest in. He also wants to make his family proud.

Elijah Damke after graduating from the Asia Pacific University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Education does not stop unless you die. If you feel that you want to further your studies, go for it. Do it in the best interest of your family and yourself.”
His advice to his peers is to never to be afraid of reaching for greater heights.
“PNG is a developing country and needs a more educated population to develop the nation. Nowadays, the competition is high. A lot of people have diplomas, degrees and masters. If you want to be in demand or move up the hierarchy, you need to further your studies to enhance your skills and knowledge. If you have work experience but don’t have the qualifications, you won’t be get higher.”
So true for Elijah, what American author Helen Keller once wrote: “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”