For the first time in the history of the Moi family, a university degree has been achieved.
The achievement was described by 28-year-old Moi Lazarus as the result of perseverance, faith and the support of kindhearted people.
Originally from Musungwik village in Ambunti-Drekikier District of East Sepik Province, Lazarus recently graduated from Divine Word University in Madang on March 6, 2026, becoming the first member of his extended family to obtain a university degree.
Lazarus was born and raised at Kavui Section Two (Waramari), Block 1764, in Kimbe, West New Britain Province, under the land settlement scheme for oil palm.
“My mother is the first born in a family of six sisters and none of them completed their studies,” he said.
He explained that growing up in a large extended family shaped his determination to pursue education.
“I am the sixth born in a family of nine. I have seven sisters and one brother who is the last born. None of my mother’s completed school and none of my older sisters or cousins reached Grade 12,” Lazarus said.
Seeing this motivated him to break the cycle and become a role model for the younger generation in his family.
“When I noticed this, I told myself that I will make a difference and show my younger siblings and cousins that if our mothers and elders could not do it, we can and we will do it,” he said.
His determination grew stronger during his primary school years when he witnessed the struggles of life on the oil palm block.
With many families living on the same block and limited income from monthly harvests, financial support for education was often difficult.
“There were too many of us and each mother harvested oil palm once a month. The income from one harvest could not meet all our needs until the next harvest,” he said.
Despite the financial hardships, Lazarus remained focused on his dream of pursuing higher education.
After completing Grade 12 in 2018, he received an offer to study for a Bachelor in Primary Education at St Benedict’s Kaindi Teachers College but could not take up the opportunity due to lack of financial support.
Determined not to give up, he applied again as a non-school leaver in 2019 and was accepted to study at Divine Word University in 2020. However, financial difficulties again prevented him from enrolling.
“I never gave up,” he said.
His persistence eventually paid off when he secured another offer in 2022 to study at Divine Word University’s Madang campus.
Throughout his four years of study as a non-residential student, Lazarus said the journey was made possible through the support of friends, family and community groups.
He acknowledged the Nokondi family for allowing him to stay with them while attending classes.
“Even though they struggled in life themselves, they never rejected my request to stay with them,” he said.
He also thanked the West New Britain Students Association and several close friends and schoolmates who supported him during his university years.
Lazarus described his journey as one guided by faith.
“God will not come personally to help us in times of need, but he uses kind and soft-hearted people to show that he is always with us,” he said.
Reflecting on his achievement, Lazarus believes his graduation marks not only a personal success but also a new beginning for his family.
“Above all, God has been so good. What seems impossible can become possible with God,” he said.
He hopes his achievement will inspire his younger siblings and relatives to pursue education and believe that their circumstances do not determine their future.
