Village girl Nicole becomes a businesswoman

NICOLE Vutnamur was four when she attended the Valiliai Elementary School outside Kokopo in East New Britain.
Nicole, now 23, is from Vunapalading village in Toma outside Kokopo, East New Britain. She is the second eldest in a family of six.
She was born on April 25, 1997. Her father works for the national judicial services in Kokopo as an associate to Justice Terrance Higgins. Her mother originally from East Sepik is a secondary school teacher.
Nicole skipped Grade 2 and went on to Grade 3 at the Maiom Primary School, then to Vunairima for grades 4 and 5.
In 2006, she attended the Rangulit Primary School for Grade 6 and Tudungan Primary School for grades 7 and 8.
She did well in Grade 8 and was selected for Grade 9 at the Malabunga Secondary School up to Grade 12.
When she was three, her mum had to go back for further studies at the Goroka University for a Bachelor in Education degree. Nicole and her siblings lived with relatives for almost four years. She was raised up in the village and understands well what village life is like.
In 2018, she graduated with a Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Kokopo Business College.
“I still love the village way of living and upbringing. My grandparents would involve us in cocoa farming.”
Nicole noticed how parents in the village would look after their families as subsistence farmers. The only source of income was from cocoa and vegetable farming.
Her dad once told her that he would sell empty bottles to pay for his school fees when young.
It motivated Nicole to do something to prove to him that she too can pay for her own school fees.
“By being determined, you are opening a door for the betterment of your tomorrow, future achievements and overall happiness in your life.”
Today, she is the managing director of AgBook Agribusiness Training and Advisory Ltd established last year.
It aims to change farming practices and motivate more young people to use the land, changing the way farmers approach agriculture – from subsistence farming to small businesses.
Nicole is part of the farmer-owned PNG Agriculture Company team providing awareness to farmers about business models and increasing their income by approaching farming in a professional way.
“We all have felt how hard life is at our doorsteps so we must rise and make a change. We are the future leaders of PNG. We can see corruption right under our noses. Are we just going to blame the government and leaders for that? We must see them as challenges and step up to make a change. Mistakes are our stepping stones.”
She urged her peers to realise that the future of PNG depends on them.
“I urge young Papua New Guineans to have the determination to do what they think is best for the nation. PNG is a democratic country and we all have the right to freedom of movement, freedom of speech.”
She never forgets her dad’s advice that the way forward is a step forward.
“There is no fairytale ending. We must take the risks now so that we can have better days ahead. Suffer now and enjoy later.”

•  Story and pictures supplied by MICHAEL PHILIP