Noel impressed with education success

GROWING up amidst tribal fights, family breakups and a subsistence life, Noel Peya never saw himself becoming a university graduate.
“If we are born poor, that is not our fault,” Peya said.
“But if we die poor, that is our fault.
“I just love these words,” he said after receiving his scroll at the University of Technology’s 53rd graduation.
Peya, 24, from Enga, was born into a simple family where his parents sold kaukau for a living.
He is the last of five children and as any last born, he was his mother’s favourite child.
However, while growing up, Noel had to witness the dreadful torment of tribal fights on his family and society. In 2004, he fled the province with his mum in search of somewhere safe, away from tribal fights.
They ended up in Kindeng squatter settlement in Jiwaka.
There, Peya was forced to live and grow up in a new environment with a slightly different culture but one thing that became more interesting was his passion in education.
“I grew up being shy and timid so I buried my head in books,” he said.
Peya began school in the Kindeng Primary School within the settlement with his mom being his only source of support.
“She (mum) would wake up early and go to the garden to bring us kaukau, some for breakfast and others to sell for my school needs,” Peya said.
In 2013, he started high school studies in the newly established Anglimp Secondary School.
“It was a new school at the time and I was privileged to be with the second lot of grade nines to enter the school,” he said.
However, Peya decided that at the end of grade 10, he would apply to Sogeri National High School.
Peya did apply but he was advised to remain at Anglimp.
“I was asked by the principal to remain in Anglimp Secondary and continue grade 11 because of my potential that could give the school some recognition,” he said.
In 2016, Peya graduated and applied to University of Technology’s survey department and was accepted in 2017.
He was ready for tertiary education but he was not financially ready to begin.
Peya looked around for help until one of his cousin brothers offered to sell pigs and provide for his school fees.
“When I heard that my cousin would support me, I felt so happy that I had been recognised for my commitment in school,” he said.
Peya started tertiary studies in 2017 under the academic excellence scheme (AES) scholarship.
Throughout his education, he maintained an above average grade point average score (3.6 to 4), granting himself a continuous AES sponsorship from the Government.
After third year, he was employed under a training programme with miner, Porgera Mining Limited.
And as he approached final year, he was awarded a scholarship by the miner for outstanding performances during his training.
“I was really blessed to have all my fees paid by Porgera Mining Limited,” he said.
Noel received his bachelor’s in surveying and is currently studying philosophy of surveying under the master’s programme.