How trip to India changed Cynthia’s way of thinking

By JACINTA COHLEE
EAGER to expand her knowledge to meet the demands of the era of technology, teacher Cynthia Changau decided to venture into a new chapter in her life.
Cynthia, 39, whose parents are from Manus and East Sepik, has been teaching for 18 years. She decided to venture into business as a side-hustle.
The mother-of-five was one day conducting training for people interested in buying items online when she met someone who advised her to apply to the Indian Technical and Corporation progamme online for a three-week course in India on entrepreneurship.
“It was an interesting opportunity which I would not let go. So, I applied to get a passport and once I got one, I applied for the programme. I was accepted after two weeks.”
Cynthia applied for the “knowledge and education in entrepreneurship” programme managed by the Indian government and opened to people from other countries interested in learning about entrepreneurship.
“Everything is paid for by the Indian government, including travel, accommodation, meal and other costs. All you have to do is get a passport and make your way to Port Moresby where the Indian Embassy is to arrange your travel. Port Moresby to India travel is paid for by the Indian government.”
Cynthia did have plans for her future but travelling to a foreign land was certainly not on her bucket list. But she did not want to miss the opportunity.
She was the only Papua New Guinean among the 28 participants from various countries who attended the training at Ahmedabad in the State of Gujarat.

“ PM Modi told the people of India that if they keep cocoa and process it in the country, they will create jobs for their own people. His speech motivated and inspired me, and I think everyone should have that kind of thinking.”

Now that she has returned home, she wants to share the knowledge and ideas she acquired with people interested in the entrepreneurship world.
“Just go online, type ITECH on Google or visit my page on Facebook Moin Online Trader, so I can help you to apply. The programme happens every month. I encourage everyone to attend so we can help people who cannot have such an opportunity.”
Cynthia is currently teaching at the Bubia Lutheran Primary School at Nine-Mile in Lae.
She started her side-hustle in 2012 to train people on how to buy things online as many lacked the skills on online shopping.
“Many times, people don’t get what they purchase online. Therefore, I wanted to help them by conducting training.”
One thing that stuck with her from her trip to India was listening to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying in a speech to the people that “citizens must have a dream, and if one has a dream, I will make that dream come true”.
“Modi told the people that everything that has to leave India will leave as a finished product, such as cocoa will leave India once it becomes powder. Because he said when we send cocoa to another country raw, we are creating jobs for that country. He said if we keep it and process it in India, we are creating jobs for our own people. That speech motivated and inspired me, and I think everyone should have that kind of thinking.”
Cynthia urges people that as long as they have a mind full of innovation and dreams, “you can be an entrepreneur in whatever field you are in.”
“Through your dedication and motivation, you can add value to one’s life.”