Parik living a self-reliant life

BEING independent does not just mean supporting oneself, making a living and surviving.
In essence, it is about building oneself and one’s community through sustainable activities.
A family man in Jiwaka is living up to that ideal.
Michael Parik, from Tolsi village in the Kudjip local level government (LLG) area in Anglimp-South Waghi, Jiwaka, is living a self-reliant life by fully utilising the land.
As a villager, Parik believes that land is one of a man’s greatest assets, a precious resource, which, if fully utilised, can bring freedom, peace of mind, prosperity and independence.
Parik was born on Sept 16, 1975, one of a select few of Papua New Guineans who can call themselves children of the Independence.
Hence, it was only natural that he be named “Michael” after the country’s first Prime Minister Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
When Parik turned 38 in 2013, he made a decision to quit bad habits such as drinking homebrew and smoking drugs which had seen his life and gave his life to Jesus.
Parik and his wife Martina, both members of the Nazarene church, have started making gardens and dug fish ponds.

While digging the ponds, they discovered digging tools and artefacts which prompted them to build an artefact house to preserve those indigenous tools.
Parik said apart from cultural performances, tourists and visitors to Jiwaka and the Highlands for that matter were also interested in tools and materials used in the village setting and the artefacts provided an insight on how his ancestors lived. These visitors come to see the landscape, including rivers, mountains, forests and indigenous species mainly birds, and small marsupials and reptiles as much as its people and their culture.
The interest to attract tourists led Parik to create a bird watching site as well as allow access to a waterfall at a local creek.
Signifying his repentance and commitment to the Lord, Parik built a church in his village and named it Tolsi Nazarene church.
They also have a large pineapple garden.
Parik and his family look after domesticated animals such as chicken, pigs, dogs, cats and a cuscus.
Prior to striking out on his own, Parik worked as a cleaner at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital for many years and was also volunteer cleaner at Kudjip market.

Parik said his main goal was to live peacefully and work to have a prosperous and useful life and be a valuable member of his community.
Parik sees Jiwaka as one with huge agriculture and tourism potential that is not being harnessed.
But Parik knows there are always challenges; he is worried about young men roaming aimlessly in Kudjip, Banz, Minj, Kumbal, Kindeng and Kimil markets, smoking marijuana and homebrew.
“These young men are born with potential to become successful,” Parik said.
“They have land but they are being lazy and are waiting for someone to give them a K2 or K5.
“If they can give their lives to God and return to the land, they will find true meaning and purpose in life and live independent and productive lives.”
Parik registered his projects as Tolsi Cultural Heritage Reviving Centre with the Investment Promotion Authority.
Parik and Martina have nine children – five biological and four adopted.
Some tourists from Australia, the United States and Europe have visited the sites and were impressed with the set up.
“I started from a humble beginning and wanted to make it bigger and better,” he said.

Parik, who dropped out at grade six, launched the site several times and invited the provincial government, the district development authority, relevant Government departments and ministers, and non-government organisations (NGO) to the occasion so that he could present his proposal for development projects.
“None of the Government bodies, politicians or NGOs have accepted my invitation,” he said.
“Joe Kuli (Anglimp-South Waghi MP) was the only person that accepted my invitation and turned up here and saw what I was doing.
“Despite no recognition of my efforts to promote agriculture, tourism and culture in the last eight years, I am determined and committed to remaining patient and humble in doing what I love,” Parik said.
He said he was proud to have his birthday on Independence and proud to have been named after a great leader.
“I want to change the mindset of my people of Kuma-Sekeing and Kudjip,” he said.
“They must realise that land is a valuable asset that can make them become successful in life and get closer to God.”
Parik said he struggled to understand why political leaders in the province kept ignoring him and the projects he had initiated as a simple villager.
“Most times, politicians discourage us from expecting free handouts from them,” he said.
“They urge us to do something meaningful in our lives.
“They tell us to engage ourselves in agriculture, livestock and tourism projects.
“They say this is where we come in and assist you because we have money to support such projects.
“But in my case, I have never received any political support.
“I don’t understand.
“Maybe I’m doing something wrong here.”