Yavi dedicates degree to supportive parents

By DALE LUMA
WHEN Yavi Forgen Ninipa hugged his parents after his graduation at the University of PNG, it came from the heart.
Proud mum Vano and dad Thomas were there to witness their eldest son receive a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Psychology, and he could not thank them enough for all they had done for him.
“We have gone through a lot as a family but still through God’s grace, we somehow managed to be together. My parents are the sole providers for me and my siblings. No matter what, they will provide.
“They are hardworking and very supportive. They make sure every day that we have food on the table, cloth on our backs and a roof over our heads. We may not have much, but we still have each other to rely on.”
Yavi, 25, is from Lufa district in Eastern Highlands although his family has been living in Port Moresby for more than 20 years. He is the eldest, followed by Thomas, Miyo and Bridgette.
Dad Thomas works with Telikom PNG as a telephone technician. Mom Vano is a market mama and sells kumu (greens) every afternoon. She helps pay for their bus fares and lunch money.
Yavi started his education at the Gerehu Elementary School up to Grade Two in 2003. Primary education up to Grade Eight was at the Waigani Primary School to 2009.
He attended Gerehu High School and completed Grade 10 in 2011. He completed Grade 12 in 2013 at PomNats before attending UPNG in 2014.
“I studied psychology at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences minoring in Strategic Management at the School of Business and Administration.”
There was lapse in his studies in 2016 when he was excluded from the programme for spending too much time on stuff “not academically-related”.
“It was supposed to be my third year. I flunked a course which resulted in my GPA (Grade Point Average) being dropped. I flunked simply because I did not manage my time to prioritise my studies.
“My time was spent doing things outside the academic curriculum. When I received my exclusion letter, I was shattered. I accepted it was my fault. But it’s all in the past now. I now know how to prioritise my time and have never looked back since.”
He currently is employed as a casual with PNG Power Ltd.
His advice to young people is that time management is critical.
“Know what to do and where and when to do it otherwise you will regret it later.”
He wants to use the background in psychology in human resource management.
“I see myself applying my skills in the workforce by helping employees’ welfare and wellbeing.”
For Yavi, there is no limit to dreaming big.
“In 20 years’ time, I sees myself in a management role in one of the big organisation in the country and an entrepreneur in the SME business.
“I plan to support my parents pay for my siblings’ school fees until they finish tertiary/college education, renovate my parents’ house, buy a piece of land and build my own house and start a business.”
No more wasting time.

“ My parents are the sole providers for me and my siblings. No matter what, they still provide. They make sure every day that we have food on the table, cloth on our backs and a roof over our head. We may not have much, but we still have each other to rely on.”