Rickey wants his sons to be successful

By ELIAS LARI
RICKY Apa may not be as rich and well educated as other fathers but he is determined to see his five sons receive a better education than him to set them up well for life.
He believes education is the key to success and as a parent, it is his responsibility to work harder so that his sons can rise “from a nobody to somebody” someday.
Ricky is from Wembu village in the South Wiru local level government of Pangia, Southern Highlands.
In 2008, he began farming the land, planting peanuts mostly, to support his family at the village.
“In my first harvest, I was hoping to raise K750. But it did not work out. I earned only K150.”
Ricky did not give up.

“ Parents have a role to play to raise their children to become good citizens. I thank God for giving me the wisdom, direction and endless support to achieve my plan.”

“As a parent I must raise my children in the way God wanted me to.”
But after some time, he realised that his income from the land was not be enough to support his family.
“So I decided to leave my village in 2009 for Mt Hagen to ensure my five boys can be educated well.”
He was offered a job as a bus crew. Then after a few months, he was employed by the Guard Dog Security in Mt Hagen as a security officer.
“I believed that God saw my need and blessed me with the job.”
From that day in 2009 to today, he has managed to support his family and his children’s education from the income he earned as a security officer.
In 2016, Apa witnessed his eldest son graduating from the University of Goroka with a Bachelor in Education degree. It spurred him on, wanting to work harder for his other sons who are all doing well in school.
The second eldest completed Grade 10 and is at home. Rickey plans to sponsor him to further his education through distance learning.
His third eldest is into the third year at a university.
The youngest two are in grades eight and nine.
“I still have a long way to go and see to achieve my aim so that I can be a happy father.”
His wife stays in the village with their sons while he has been living and working in Mt Hagen.
Apa believes that God wants to see people become successful if they are prepared to make sacrifices and work hard. God is always willing to help those who help themselves.
“Parents have a role to play to raise their children to become good citizens. I thank God for giving me the wisdom, direction and endless support to achieve my plan.”
He believes some parents do not understand their purposes in life which is why their children end up on the street.
“For a child to rise from nobody to somebody, it will depend on the parents to carry out their responsibilities. God sees our hearts and will bless us so we must not become day-dreamers but people of action.”
Ricky is blessed to have five sons. He thanks God for helping him help them become “somebody” someday.