HARD LIFE: Born and Raised on the Streets of Mendi Town of Papua New Guinea
A true story from Boas Minape of Papua New Guinea. Struggled and survived as a consequence of his polygamist father.
"Me and Henry survived on our own with no parental support so we decide to collect bottles from the nearby clubs during night and pack them into the bags and bring those empty bottles home. Next day we use to sell those bottles and earn 80 toea per cartoon. From the sale of 2 cartons, we buy 1 plastic of kaukau at the market that will keep us going for two weeks. " - Boas
Born and Raised on the Streets of Mendi Town of Papua New Guinea
by Albert FRANCIS
I was born and raised on the streets of Mendi Town known as OLCOMPOUND (OLCO) in Papua New Guinea.
My father got married to a new woman ditching my poor mum with her 7 children to struggle for survival on the streets of Mendi Town. Father moved on enjoying with his new wife and totally forgot about his first wife, my mother.
My mother came from a small village call Katumete Island in Arowe of KIMBE WEST NEW BRITAIN PROVINCE of Papua New Guinea.
While in some far unknown land of other persons, my mum can't afford much to look after us.
She decided to leave with some of her children to her very own province on the 14th day of March 2001 leaving me an my big brother HENRY behind in other man's land, which we now call it our home sweet home Mendi, OLCO.
Me and Henry survived on our own with no parental support so we decide to collect bottles from the nearby clubs during night and pack them into the bags and bring those empty bottles home. Next day we use to sell those bottles and earn 80 toea per cartoon. From the sale of 2 cartons, we buy 1 plastic of kaukau at the market that will keep us going for two weeks.
I feel hungry sometimes but never go out and steal from other people. We used to manage this life until 2011. Henry was accepted to work with the district court in Mendi Southern Highlands Province. That was the turning POINT of our lives.
THANKYOU GOD ALLMIGHTY! Going to school with no proper bags, lunch, clothes, uniforms, and stuff ordinary kid would have but that doesn't concern me as I kept my focus and completed my Grade 12.
It's a big achievement for me to come this far, and now I'm who I'm known as 1713 PC BOAS MINAPE.
I told this story to all my tribes men who came to witness my graduation on the 29th of March 2019 at Bomana Police College and some of them cried, while some felt guilty but as for me I'm very happy because from nothing but with the help of YESU brought me this far and still some more blessings yet to come.
My challenge goes back to those who have parents, please pay RESPECT and LISTEN to them while they are here with you. Out of their sweat you are enjoying. Some of us came hard way.
PC Boas Minape (1713)
NB: Story initially shared by Sammy Hire Cars. Boas and myself were once a childhood playmate back in our village until he left with his family to Mendi and we never met again.