PNG Now photographers Dean Arek and Godfreeman Kaptigua roamed the capital city of Papua New Guinea recently and found a dedicated workforce. The common story of the people photographed and interviewed is that they love their jobs.
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- The Restaurant Manager. Geno Karo is the manager at the Lamana Hotel’s Italian Restaurant. She has been there for more than two years and her front-of-house duties include greeting diners, seating them and explaining the menu. ‘I basically love everything about my job,’ she says. ‘It’s very challenging at times but it’s rewarding working with a great team at a great restaurant under a general manager who has taught us a lot and has guided us along the way.’ Credit: Dean Arek
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- The Guard. Lukas Reuben Kawage has been a guard at Jacksons Bar for almost five years. ‘I am responsible for monitoring the movement of customers in and out of the building, and I maintain the peace,’ he says. ‘Because I work near the airport, there’s a big variety of people that come and go here, from CEOs to aviation staff and grassroots people.’
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- The Soldier. Israel Oa, 23, is a Port Moresby local who joined the Army about two years ago and lives at military barracks in Wewak. He says he gains job satisfaction by being able to help people. ‘During my last tour (of duty), I noticed that we provide hope to our people, especially those in isolated villages who need basic services. When they see us, they see hope, and this is the reason why I love my job. I want to change people’s lives; I want to make a difference by helping people who are in need.’ Credit: Dean Arek
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- The Taxi Driver. Nickson Hanis knows the streets of Port Moresby well after being behind the wheel of his taxi for about 15 years. ‘I meet a lot of people and become friends, then family with them, both local and international.’ He says that among his most memorable passengers were some people from Korobosea. ‘Every time I took them shopping, they’d also shop for me.’ Credit: Dean Arek
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- The Bartender. Jessie Tom is a bartender at the Gateway Hotel. ‘What I like most about my job is learning how to mix spirits and do cocktails. I love getting to know the customers and interacting with them and making sure they enjoy their time with us,’ he says. Credit: Dean Arek
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- The Office Worker. Daphne Liu Rasehei has been an operations executive and producer at the Tribe Agency for the past three years. She’s produced a multitude of shows and has worked with some of the best creatives in PNG. Credit: Godfreeman Kaptigua
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- The Golfer. Brian Taikiri has been helping to coach at the Port Moresby Golf Club for the past five years. As an amateur golfer, he has travelled nationally and internationally. ‘I see golf as a meditation hub for me, it’s a reflection of my state of mind,’ he says. Credit: Godfreeman Kaptigua
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- The Nurse. Veronica Kalebe has been a nurse for 29 years and works at Port Moresby General Hospital where she cares for patients, compiles clinic reports and conducts refresher training for staff. ‘I love caring for the patients and seeing them recover from their illnesses,’ she says.
The gallery ‘A slice of PNG life: People at work’ was first published in the April 2021 issue of PNG Now, PNG’s leading lifestyle magazine.
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