Father, son finish grade 8

On Dec 6, father-of-five Geonsa Geob graduated from primary school, something he thought he could never do.
Geob’s family was present to see him attain his grade 8 certificate, almost 20 years since he dropped out of grade 6.
And he was not the only one in the family graduating that day as his eldest son and classmate, Desmond, also received his certificate.
Geob, in his mid-40s, and his teenage son completed grade 8 at Zindaga Primary School in Bulolo, Morobe.
Geob, a coffee buyer, comes from Menyamya.
He walked the rugged terrains of Menyamya buying and transporting coffee.
It was tough and for a while, Geob thought his schooling days were over.
But he never gave up and when he went to Zindaga Primary School to enrol his son, he took the chance.
“If you want something so bad, challenge yourself, walk the distance and be committed. You’re never too old to learn,” Geob said.
Desmond is proud of his dad.
“Seeing my father’s determination to complete grade 8 has motivated me and my brothers to keep going,” he said. “it’s also an inspiration to others in our graduating class. Education for us in the rural community is a struggle but we have to work hard.”
Desmond said the father-son relationship stops when they enter the school premises.
“If we get selected to go to the same high school, I’ll be happy and proud,” he said.
While Desmond’s aim is to continue further to a tertiary institution, Geob acknowledges the fact he has a commitment to being a parent and supporting his family.
“If I continue on to high school next year it’ll be great,” Geob said.
“But if I don’t, there are life skills trainings out there that I can attend.
“In one way or another, we all have to provide a better life for our family.
Geob said none of this achievements would have come about without the support and understanding of his wife.
“My wife is a strong lady and she has supported us by raising enough to pay for our project fees. She’s also supporting my two younger children, one in grade 2 and the other in grade 2. We all would like to pay her back for all her hard work,” he said.