Using skills to make ends meet

By JOACHIM LOLOK
UPNG journalism student
PON Kos is a well-known shoe mender in Kokopo , East New Britain (ENB).
The Mendi man has been living in ENB for about 20 years and has been earning his income by fixing shoes and selling newspapers.
Kos went to Kokopo in 2000 and lived with his relatives at the Tovur Plantation in Tokua.
When all his relatives passed away, he resettled in Raniolo.
After several unsuccessful attempts of finding ways to make a living, Kos started learning how to mend shoes to make ends meet.
“It is hard to be employed nowadays without a proper education,” he said.
“I finished my education in primary, so my means of survival today is through self-taught life skills and practice.
With the Covid-19 lockdown, Pon ventured into selling the daily newspaper (The National).
“I sell newspapers belonging to a good friend of mine at a commission,” Kos said.
“I do whatever I can to bring food to the table for my wife and I everyday.”
Kos has seven customers per day.
He sits in front of the Westpac ATM in the heart of Kokopo and does business from Monday to Saturday earning bout K150 in a week.
“This is my bread and butter and if I don’t fix shoes, then I’ll have nothing to eat,” he said.