Forward march for Sgt Dama after graduation

By ZACHERY PER
ARMY Sergeant John Damu dedicated his Bachelor in Technical Vocational Education Training degree to his late parents, and his two wives, thanking them for supporting him.
“I am proud to dedicate this mamboo bamboo tube with the degree paper inside to wherever in Heaven above they (parents) are watching me today.”
The soldier thought of his late father Waiang Joseph Mond and late mother Maria Andamgo during his graduation at the University of Goroka recently.
He also did not forget the support of his two wives Sandra Warren and Rachel Aia towards his study.
Sergeant Dama is from the Yaglemauglonem tribe in Mingende, Kerowagi district, Chimbu.
While serving as the technical supervisor in the electrical division of the technical directorate at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, Dama saw the department changing from a technical training unit into a technical training school.
Currently TVET schools do not teach courses on bricklaying and other trade skills.
“At the PNGDF TTU, we are bringing these phased-out trade skills back, as a former heavy diesel fitter. I acquired a teaching certificate under a defence force sponsorship with the National Training Council.”
It put him in a position to pursue a higher qualification. So he enrolled at the university in 2022 for the two-year programme.
“I will return to teach under the technical training school with the Defence Force at Murray Barracks.”

“ I am proud to dedicate this mamboo bamboo tube with the degree paper inside to wherever in Heaven above they (parents) are watching me today.”

He acknowledged the support of school director Esso Dickers, Lieutenant William Lane, Lieutenant Numiman Shilla and other officers who supported him.
“In the TVET division, I became the runner up to the award winners with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 4.2. The winners had a GPA of 4.3.”
In 1983, Dama began his formal education at the Kombulpa Elementary School in Baiyer River, Western Highlands.
He returned home to complete grades one to six at the Mingende St Joseph’s Primary School from 1984 to 1989, then attended Kondiu Rosary High School for grades seven to 10 from 1990 to 1993.
“I went to St Fidelis College Madang to study to be a Catholic priest but only lasted two weeks. I did not have money for my school fees. So I returned to take up my scholarship offer at the Goroka Technical College in 1994.”
In 1995, he was offered an apprenticeship with Ela Motors but that too was cut short when his mother passed away.
“On July 31, 1996, I joined the Defence Force Engineering Battalion serving in Lae’s Igam Barracks.
“In 1997, I was posted to Bougainville during the crisis until 1999. In 2000, I was selected to do a safety course for three months in Queensland, Australia.”
He returned home to the PNGDF based in Port Moresby. He attended training under the Australian Pacific Training College at the Idubada Technical College.
“In 2022, I applied to UOG and was accepted to do the degree programme. I am proud and happy, and thank all those who supported me including my lecturers and the university management.”
A happy Sergeant Dama later posed proudly for a picture with his cousins who also graduated at the National Sports Institute ground. Joe Bau graduated with a Diploma in Automotive Engineering and Elison Parak who received a Bachelor in Tourism and Hospitality degree.
His parents would indeed have been proud of him. It’s only “forward march” for Sgt Dama from here on.