Theresa Philips went from a Grade 10 dropout in PNG to a New Zealand scholar proofing that failure isn’t the end, but the start of a new dream. Read her story and be inspired.

From PNG Gr. 10 Dropout to NZ Scholar: How Theresa Proved That Failure Isn’t the End

In the highlands, coastal villages, and bustling towns of Papua New Guinea, many young people especially girls and school dropouts feel like their dreams are over before they even begin. Maybe you’ve dropped out after Grade 10 or 12.

Maybe you had to stop schooling because of money problems, family responsibilities, or just not passing the national exams. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve been told that your life is now stuck.

But let me tell you something powerful: your current situation is not your final destination.

The Story That Inspires

This is the story of Theresa Philips, a young woman from Papua New Guinea who was once labeled a Grade 10 dropout. After sitting her national exams, she couldn’t continue to Grade 11. To her community, that was the end of her story. But Theresa chose not to let that define her.

With the support of her uncles and aunties, and eventually her parents, subsistence farmers in the village, Theresa moved to Lae in search of a second chance. That single decision changed her life. Through commitment, resilience, and faith, she walked a path filled with both setbacks and small wins.

Fast forward to 2019: Theresa stood proudly at Massey University’s Manawatū Campus in New Zealand as a recipient of the prestigious New Zealand Scholarship. The same young woman who was once written off, was now walking in a foreign land learning, growing, and thriving.

Let that sink in.

Fear of Failure: It’s Real, But It’s Not the End

Let’s talk about something that many are afraid to admit: fear.

• Fear of shame.
• Fear of what people will say.
• Fear of being called “a waste,” “a dropout,” or “a disappointment.”

But here’s the truth: Failure is not the opposite of success. It’s part of it. Theresa’s journey teaches us that it’s okay to fall. What matters most is whether you get back up.

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How Can You Overcome the Fear of Failure?

Here are practical ways you can overcome fear and start rebuilding your future:

1. See Failure Differently

Don’t see failure as the end, see it as redirection. Ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” That’s what Theresa did. She didn’t see a Grade 10 dropout as the end of her story. She saw it as the beginning of a new one.

2. Build a Circle of Support

Your support system matters. Theresa had her relatives and eventually her parents behind her. You need people who will lift you up, not pull you down. Find mentors, church groups, teachers, or youth leaders who believe in you.

3. Take One Step at a Time

Success doesn’t always start with a big leap. It starts with a small step. Consider continuing your education through FODE (Flexible, Open and Distance Education). Look into short-term skill-based courses at your local TVET centers. These are stepping stones to bigger opportunities.

4. Use What’s Already Available in PNG

PNG is full of opportunities if you know where to look:

• FODE lets you complete high school from anywhere in the country.
• TVET offers training in practical skills like mechanics, sewing, hospitality, and IT.
• Scholarships from Australia, New Zealand, China, and other partners are open to young Papua New Guineans.
• NGOs like YWAM, World Vision, and GINA PNG provide support for girls and young women.

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Use your phone. Visit a youth office. Ask questions. Take initiative.

5. Dream Again and Write It Down

Write out your dream; nurse, pilot, business owner, electrician, teacher, or artist. Write the steps you need to take. Even if you don’t have all the answers, dreaming again is the first act of resistance against fear.

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A Word to the Young Women and Girls of PNG

Sisters, your future is bigger than what others say about you. Theresa’s story is living proof that you can rise from failure and create your own destiny.

You may be told you’re not strong enough. You may be pushed to marry early. You may not have money, support, or even hope. But inside you is a flame that can’t be put out.

Girls just like you are now:

• Winning scholarships in New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia
• Starting small businesses
• Working in hospitals, schools, and NGOs
• Leading change in their communities

Theresa’s story is your story waiting to happen.

To the Parents and Guardians: Be the Voice of Hope

Maybe your daughter didn’t pass Grade 10 or 12. Maybe your son is ashamed to come home. But you can be the turning point in their story.

Stand beside them. Speak life into them. Help them find alternatives like FODE or TVET. Walk with them. Remind them: “You are not a failure you are finding your way.”

Your love and support can change everything.

The New Face of Education in PNG

The education system in Papua New Guinea is evolving. No longer does a national exam decide everything.

Now there are many doors:

• Open learning (FODE)
• Skills training (TVET)
• Scholarships (like the NZ and Australia Awards)
• Private and church-run training institutions
• Community and online learning platforms

Neighboring countries like Fiji, Vanuatu, Australia, and New Zealand are also partnering with PNG to grow regional education access.

The dream isn’t far. It’s within reach.

Write Your Own Ending

You are not too late. You are not too old. You are not a failure.

You are becoming.

Just like Theresa Philips, who turned rejection into a remarkable journey, you too can rise. So pick up your dreams. Dust them off. Take the first step, no matter how small.

Because the end of school is not the end of your story. It might just be the beginning of something greater.

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