Silo realises his potential

GEORGE Silo has never doubted his ability to do well in school although he had gone through some experiences and challenges like lying to his grandmother that he would be receiving medals in the preparatory years when he actually did not and doing pretty badly in the Grade 12 examination.
But these did not deter him from pursuing his dream to at least achieve the first segment of his education journey. He graduated from the Port Moresby Technical College with a National Certificate One and Two in Printing and Graphics Design on Nov 27, 2019.
Silo, 21, is of mixed parentage. His dad is from East Sepik. His mother is from East New Britain. He was raised by his stepmother and father at Vunamurmur village in East New Britain.
The story about lying to his grandmother happened sometime between 2005 and 2013 when he was attending the Vunapope Sacred Heart International School.
It happened the night before his graduation from kindergarten. His grandmother was so excited about his graduation that Silo told her the school principal said he (Silo) would be receiving five prizes.
Durig the graduation the grandmother realised that Silo had lied to her. He did not receive any prize, let alone five. Silo avoided her for some time.
But Silo realised then that he was a below-average student and needed to step up and do something for himself.
In 2014, he managed to secure a place at the Malabunga Secondary School for Grade Nine, Grade 10 and Grade 11.
He realised he had a flair in art – photography, colours and design. His family thought that he was a great story teller too. Among his siblings, he was the one talked the most.
He had heaps of friends in real life and on Facebook. But being popular does not translate to being successful in school. He performed terribly in the Grade 12 examination. He had to upgrade his marks. So he joined in 2018 the Vidal Open Campus.
He still hoped to go to a university or college to pursue his interest in photography. But he gave that up because commuting to Kerevat to attend classes was tiring and expensive.
He looked up courses offered by colleges. He was attracted by the printing and graphics design course offered at the Port Moresby Technical College.
The college allowed him to pursue the National Certificate One in printing and graphics design.

“ I believe that nothing is impossible with God. I only need to continue to remind myself that, it always seems impossible until it is done.”

Things began to look up. Studying in Port Moresby for the certificate in printing and graphics design opened many doors for him.
For instance, during the recent PNG Fashion Week, he was given the opportunity to model designs by some of PNG’s renowned designers.
He also underwent an eight week on-the-job training with the Government Printing Office.
Silo recently graduated with a National Certificate Two in printing and graphics design on Nov 27, 2019.
He is now looking forward to completing the remaining certificates before starting a career.
“I believe that nothing is impossible with God. I only need to continue to remind myself that, it always seems impossible until it is done.”

• Picture and story supplied by Michael Philip, Pomtech graphic arts student