Two-hat Tiri a man for all seasons

By AILEEN KWAGARU
TIRI Kuimbakul wears two big hats – as an economist who graduated from the University of PNG, and a pastor in the Assembly of God church.
Add to that that fact that he is also writer and a motivational speaker. And, of course, one who has been campaigning against domestic violence for years.

Tiri, 54, is from Minimp in Hagen Central, Western Highlands. He is married to Cathy. They have seven children.
Tiri attended Minimp Primary School and Hagen Secondary School which he left in 1983. After high school, he was accepted at the University of PNG where he graduated as an economist.
He worked for the Government especially in the agriculture sector for more than 20 years.
In 2001, he left his professional career to pursue his own projects focused on four key areas: personal development, personal finance, business start-ups management and creating wealth through investment.
He also became a preacher with the Assembly of God church, while pursuing his others interests as a writer and motivational speaker.
He has so far written 15 books.
Many who know him regard him as a great orator, a good role model and a self-orientated individual.
“In most of my seminars, I speak to young people and I feel like I have imparted a lot in most of my speeches.”
Recently, he followed with interest the recent public outcry on gender-based violence, triggered by the death of 19-year-old mother-of-two Jenelyn Kennedy.
He has over the years been one of those who had been advocating on gender-based violence, especially domestic violence. He knows well what it is all about.
“There are reasons why people become violent and society becomes violent. Gender-based violence is (usually) perpetrated by young men.”
Tiri was nominated as a Man of Honor in 2018, as part of a campaign by the Digicel Foundation against violence in the country. He received the award that year.
He became an ambassador of the Digicel Man of Honour campaign which required one to “lead by example in all walks of life”.

“What I tell men in my speeches is that I am a public figure and my wife is one that will validate what I am saying. And that’s all that matters.”
He views violence as an expression of frustration when certain things are not working out for one.
“It is an expression of frustration because many people, especially men, go to school and later struggle to find employment as promised by the education system. This leads to young men resorting to violence.
“Violence is not just gender-based violence. It can be stealing or harassment. That will portray a picture that our society is violent.”
Tiri’s advice to young people is to refrain from creating problems and instead involve themselves in worthy things to keep them busy and to benefit them in the long run.
No one can dispute that he has the qualification and experience – from the two hats he wears – to give that kind of valuable advice.

“ In most of my seminars, I speak to young people and I feel like I have imparted a lot in most of my speeches.”