Staying positive key to success for Minjan

Youth & Careers

DESPITE going through a life of struggles, 29-year-old Olivia Minjan always has a positive mind and keeps her head high which makes her succeed.
Olivia, from mixed parentage of Western and East Sepik, was brought up by a single mum and life was difficult since her parents divorced in 1990.
“Through the struggles and hardship I went through, I managed to complete my formal education (year 12) at Kwikila Secondary School in 2008,” she said.
However, after completing her Grade 12, she was not offered a space in any of the tertiary institutions so she stayed home for two years (2009-2010).
In 2010, Olivia’s life changed when her parents reunited after 20 years of separation.
“My mum reunited with my dad after 20 years in 2010 and I went with my dad to Wewak,” she recalls.
“This is where I got my first job as a teacher aid at Wewak International School.”
During her employment with the Wewak International, she was promoted to a front desk receptionist the following year because of her attendance, punctuality, appearance and honesty at the workplace.
However, because she had a vision to continue her studies, Olivia returned to Port Moresby wanting to upgrade her marks and registered with the University of Papua New Guinea Open Campus in 2014.
“I took up six courses at the UPNG Open Campus and completed them in 2016 but I did not get my transcript because I had no student ID,” she said. “Then through a friend of mine, I was introduced to Urban Youth Employment Project (UYEP) offered by the National Capital District Commission.
“I went for the eligibility screening survey with UYEP and from there I was selected to take up Basic Life Skills Training (BLST) for five days.
“Through commitment and dedication, I completed my BLST successfully and attended the 20 days pre-employment training.”
For her five-month on-job training, Olivia worked with the project management unit of the UYEP from March to August 2016.
During the training, a position for a trainee support staff with the PMU was advertised and she applied for it.
Olivia was short listed and was interviewed with other candidates in Jan this year.
“And may God get the glory, I just received a letter on Thursday that my interview was successful,” she said.
So from now onwards, Olivia will be a full time employee of the UYEP.
Olivia’s message to other youths of her age is: “When there is negativity in life, always lift your head higher and think positive and move on with positive thinking that you can do it if others can do it.
“Please be encouraged that you are nobody now but have faith in yourself and believe in yourself that you can make a difference.
“Keep on striving because you have skills, abilities and talents and you can be somebody so let God lead you because God has a plan for each and every one of us.”