Young People, Stay Humble Matters: My Journey of Resilience

Dear young people of the Solomon Islands,

You may sometimes feel that the world is unfair. You might feel you haven’t yet found your purpose, or perhaps you feel tempted to engage in negative activities simply to belong or stay occupied.

If that sounds familiar, let me share my journey with you.

My working life did not begin with a résumé, formal qualifications, or a clear career plan.

It began with my hands in the soil, collecting coconuts after school at the age of twelve, not knowing then that every small effort was quietly shaping my future.

Volunteering with the Youth Division of Honiara City Council, engaging in discussions with visiting youth work students from Victoria University, Australia.

The Value of Honest Labor

My path into employment was not paved with privilege or certainty; it was built on necessity, responsibility, and a determination to create a better life.

In 1990, I took on my first job in the coconut plantations of Yandina. After school, I joined other children of plantation workers, collecting coconuts to support our families.

At that young age, I learned a lesson that has stayed with me ever since: there is profound dignity in honest work, no matter how small it may seem.

By 1995, during school holidays, I was working in a cocoa shed at Ranadi, tailoring bags of dried cocoa beans. The work was physically demanding, but it forged my work ethic and taught me the vital importance of discipline and responsibility.

Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones

Success is rarely a straight line. In 2005, I dropped out of Form 5, a moment that could have easily defined my future in negative terms. Instead, it became my turning point.

By 2008, I was working in a poultry business, caring for my aunt’s chickens with one clear goal in mind: to save enough money to return to school. That season of my life taught me patience, resilience, and the value of long-term thinking.

In 2009, I was finally accepted to study Media and Journalism at the Solomon Islands College of Higher Education (SICHE), now SINU.

However, the financial path was still steep. To survive and graduate, I worked as a security guard with Solomon Security Services, using my night-shift earnings to pay my tuition fees in 2010.

Balancing work and study were exhausting, but it reaffirmed my belief that education is worth every sacrifice.

Finding a Purposeful Career

After graduating in 2012, I chose to serve my community by volunteering with the Youth Division of the Honiara City Council for four years. This experience deepened my commitment to youth development and gave me a firsthand understanding of leadership and public service.

Met with young leaders in New Caledonia during my time volunteering with the Youth Division of Honiara City Council.

My first formal employment came in 2015 when I joined the Island Sun newspaper as a reporter. For four years, I had the privilege of telling the stories of Solomon Islanders from all walks of life, with a strong focus on youth stories.

Journalism sharpened my communication skills and strengthened my appreciation for integrity, accuracy, and storytelling with a purpose.

In 2019, my career transitioned into the development sector. I joined the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) as a Communication, Alumni, and Events Officer for Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

This role broadened my perspective and allowed me to contribute to regional skills development and workforce readiness.

By 2025, I continued this mission with Australia Awards Solomon Islands, supporting education pathways for our future leaders.

Today, in 2026, I serve as a Communication Coordinator with Pacific Australia Skills (PAS). I know there is still a long journey ahead, and who knows where the future will place me next.

A New Chapter: Sharing Youth Stories Online

Today, I am also starting an online news platform, registered under Company Haus, to share youth stories and explore the digital marketing space.

I am slowly building it, learning as I go, and I see it as another way to empower young people, to give them a voice, share their achievements, and inspire others.

Just like my early jobs shaped me, I hope this platform will shape and encourage the next generation of Solomon Islanders.

During my time as a journalist with Island Sun Newspaper, I had the opportunity to visit Taiwan twice, where I met friends who showed me around the city and shared their culture.

My Message to You

If you are young and uncertain about your future, know this: your current circumstances do not define your potential.

You may have faced setbacks, financial hardships, or interruptions to your education, but none of these mean your journey is over.

Start where you are. If you cannot find a job yet, volunteer.

Community activities build skills, confidence, and networks that lead to employment or entrepreneurship.

Be willing to work hard, learn continuously, and seek support when you need it.

Progress may not be immediate, but consistency and commitment will always move you forward.

In my opinion, one of the greatest challenges for young people today is the temptation to compare themselves with others. I’ve learned that humility, patience, and self-belief are far more powerful than envy or shortcuts.

Celebrate small victories, embrace learning in every circumstance, and never underestimate the quiet power of perseverance.

Above all, remember this: no one can define your worth or limit your potential but you.

Stay humble, stay committed, and continue building your path, one step at a time.