Conrad runs small business to pay for his school fees, uniforms

The National People

By ENAMYRA ANI, UPNG Journalism student
SCHOOL begins next week and Conrad Yeli is busy preparing for it – by earning some money to pay for his uniforms, stationery and fees.
Conrad, 18, will be in Grade 10 at Tokarara Secondary School. He has been busy selling various items at his stall in Korobosea, Port Moresby.
“Doing nothing at home will not help me. So I decided to venture into my small business by selling small items. I do not want to rely too much on my parents who need to sort out my other siblings too. It is not good putting an extra burden on them.”

“ I do not want to rely too much on my parents who need to sort out my other siblings too. It is not good putting an extra burden on them.”

His parents Jonathan and Lili Yeli are from Enga and Chimbu.
Conrad thought of starting the small business to keep himself occupied and help his parents instead of lazing around at home all day.
He aims to earn enough money to cover his school expenses and of his siblings too.
He may have started small but he is learning the tricks of the trade, so to speak, and overcoming difficulties.
“I faced a lot of challenges at first but did not give up. I will keep on trying to reach my goal.”
Conrad knows that his parents sacrifice a lot to meet everyone’s school expenses so the best he can do is to help them in any way he can.
“They faced struggles like other parents but they always manage to provide for us.”
Conrad started his education at the Hohola Demonstration School in 2010, completing Grade Eight in 2018.

Conrad at his market in Korobosea. He goes back to school from next week. He plans to continue his business after school.

Last year, he was selected to do Grade Nine at Tokarara Secondary.
This year in Grade 10, he will be taking up Mathematics, Language, Science, Social Science, Personal Development, Information Technology and Arts.
He wants to become a doctor some day and will do all he can to achieve that goal.
He also believes that the Government’s decision to change its tuition fee-free policy is good because it will force students to get good marks as their parents will also be paying their fees.
“When the Government used to pay school fees, students took advantage of that and did not study hard. This year, our parents will be paying part of the fees, so they must discipline or be strict on their children to take their education seriously and study hard.
“Some students are still dependent on their parents and never care to help them pay their school fees, uniforms and bus fares.”
His advice to students is “don’t just stay in the house doing nothing, expecting your parents to do everything for you. Do something productive so you can help your parents pay your school fees and buy your uniforms”.
Brave Conrad’s small stall at Korobosea shows he walks the talk, is innovative, and ambitious.