I had not come to Japan. What would my life be with the past 5 years?

 

My Alternate Life before Japan.

What Would Life Be Like After University?

The year was 2015. I had just completed my four-year undergraduate studies at the University of Papua New Guinea. I felt excited, but at the same time, deeply uncertain about what my future would hold. Graduating from one of the finest higher learning institutions in the country is a great privilege. One of my proudest achievements was graduating with a solid GPA of 3. In addition to that, I had successfully completed my studies under a government scholarship for all four years.

By 2015, my undergraduate journey had come to an end, or so I thought. Life, however, had other plans. As I was completing my studies, I reflected deeply on my situation. Many students across the country were graduating with degrees just like mine. Some of my peers had developed broader skill sets by volunteering in student associations and participating in extracurricular activities. With only a degree in my hand, I worried that I might not be competitive enough in the job market.

Because of this realization, I made a firm decision in 2015 to take an extra step forward. That extra step meant either pursuing a second degree or enrolling in postgraduate studies. By the beginning of that year, I applied for two programs: a second undergraduate degree in Sustainable Development and a Postgraduate Honours degree to upgrade my bachelor’s qualification.

By the time the acceptance letters arrived, I had been offered admission to both programs. This placed me in a difficult position. I had to choose one. Since both programs would take two years to complete, I carefully considered my options. I called my father to discuss my decision, then spent time reflecting on my future path. Eventually, I chose to pursue the Honours degree, believing it would strengthen my academic foundation and better prepare me for a master’s degree in the future.

In 2016, I was accepted into the Honours program while simultaneously preparing for my undergraduate graduation.

My Honours supervisor was Ms. Regina Keile. She was one of the kindest professors I have ever met and a truly gentle and supportive person. Anyone who knows her personally would agree. She also had a beautiful daughter, and I must admit, I secretly admired her a little. Hehehe. She was around my age, perhaps slightly younger.

A Notice That Changed My Life

At the beginning of 2017, while visiting Ms. Keile’s office, I noticed a message posted on her door. I remember it clearly to this day. It read:

“We need a GIS student to join the UNDP project team. You may email your application or drop it off at the UNDP office with Debra.”

Debra was my senior and had served as the Environmental Science Student President. She later became my colleague at UNDP. Another familiar name was Merry, who had been our Environmental Science Student President in 2015. I knew both of them personally because I had actively volunteered in Environmental Science Student Association activities during my third and fourth years. To this day, I consider Merry and Debra among the kindest and most intelligent people I have encountered in my professional journey.

At the time, I was still studying for my Honours degree, so I was not very eager to apply. However, after thinking it through, I told myself, Why not give it a try? Even if I failed, I would lose less by trying than by not trying at all. I decided not to email my application but instead to deliver it in person to the UNDP office in downtown Port Moresby. I wanted to show my interest and speak directly with Debra.

There was, however, a major problem because I was a broke student. I could barely afford bus fare, let alone photocopying costs. The easiest option was to use the university’s free Wi-Fi and submit my application online, but something inside me resisted that idea.

So I searched around and borrowed a few coins from a friend. I went home and spent the entire night carefully writing my application letter. I prepared copies of my certificates and all supporting documents that could strengthen my application and improve my chances of securing the UNDP internship.

The Day I Submitted My UNDP Internship Application

I woke up late that morning, around 9 a.m., and had breakfast. At the time, I was living with my aunt in Banana, which meant a long journey to downtown Port Moresby involving two or three buses. After breakfast, I took a proper shower and put on my best clothes. I did not own many outfits, and most of my clothes were old and faded, but they were clean, and that mattered most to me.

The bus ride and photocopying at Gordon took over an hour before I finally reached my destination: the United Nations office in downtown Port Moresby.

Dropping My UNDP Internship Application

The bus I was riding in came to a stop at Ella Beach. At the time, Ella Beach was undergoing major development, transforming into the beachfront we see today. I remember stepping off the bus and seeing heavy machinery and construction workers scattered across the area. Downtown Port Moresby was in the middle of a reconstruction phase. I resisted the distraction and quickly focused on getting to where I needed to go.

Back then, I did not own a smartphone. I relied entirely on memory and on asking strangers for directions. I had no access to Google Maps or any navigation apps. I walked up a small hill past the Catholic Church, then past the Town Police Station, until I finally stood in front of the beautifully designed BSP building. I had been downtown a few times before, so I knew the UNDP office was located at the top of the tallest building in the city, which is next to the BSP building. I have a few friends working there at BSP. But I did not see them that day.

Going Up to UNDP

The UNDP office was located on the very top floor of the building. I entered through the ground floor, which was open and accessible after passing through a large sliding glass door. Near the entrance was a small table, behind which sat a security guard with a large attendance book. Everyone entering the building was required to sign in.

I had once worked as a security guard myself for over a year with The Corp Security Company before starting university. I understood how exhausting the job was, long hours, little pay, and constant vigilance.

After signing the guard’s ledger, I felt as though I was taking roll call before entering heaven. The guard instructed me to press the button for the top floor and proceed to the reception desk, where I could ask for the person I had come to see. I stepped into the elevator alongside a few well-dressed professionals. None of them seemed to notice me; they were focused on their own destinations.

As the elevator ascended, I whispered a short prayer in my heart:

Dear Heavenly Father, it is through Your strength and guidance that I have come this far.
In just a few minutes, I will walk into the United Nations office—one of the world’s most prestigious organisations. I ask You, Holy Spirit, to speak into the hearts of those who will receive my application. I place this moment and my future entirely in Your hands.

Suddenly, the elevator bell 'rang';.  The doors opened, revealing a small but beautifully organised lobby. Directly in front of the elevator was the reception desk, and behind it, displayed proudly on the wall, was the United Nations logo. Framed photographs decorated the lobby walls. A calm, humble woman sat behind the desk, and as the elevator doors opened, she looked up and smiled. Perhaps she was wondering what a young man in worn-out clothes was doing there.

I walked in and said softly, “I’m here to see Ms. Debra. I would like to drop off my UNDP internship application.”

She replied politely, “I see. Please hold on a moment while I notify Debie.”
(UNDP staff usually called Debra “Debie.”)

She then asked me to take a seat on a large sofa beside the office door. I sat down quietly, removed my old, worn backpack, and carefully laid my documents on the small coffee table in front of me. I straightened my shirt collar and tucked my shirt neatly into my pants as I waited.

A moment later, the office door clicked and slowly swung open. A young, gentle, and kind face appeared. It was Debra, my former Environmental Science Student Association President. She came over, sat beside me, and introduced herself, and I introduced myself in return. We spoke briefly, and I handed her my internship application. She took a few minutes to explain the role and what the team was looking for, then smiled and said, “We will call you soon.”

That moment marked the beginning of my professional journey, my first real job, and the year I earned my first 25,000 kina.

The Opportunity to Study in Japan

The opportunity to study in Japan was the greatest achievement of my life and, at the same time, my greatest regret. Today, I want to reflect on an alternate version of my life: the path I might have taken if I had not come to Japan. I imagine that my life would have been very different. Not necessarily better or worse than my life in Japan, but different in ways that continue to shape my thoughts and reflections.

The MEXT Scholarship Contradiction

It was around 9 a.m., and I was about to face my final interview, the last stage of a long and demanding process to secure the MEXT scholarship. The interview was a panel discussion involving staff from the Japanese Embassy and professors from the University of Papua New Guinea.

I woke up very early that morning. The day before, I had informed my UNDP supervisor that I had an important panel interview. He wished me good luck and told me that I could either take the day off or come to work after the interview. My supervisors at UNDP were genuinely kind and understanding.

I remembered my first day as an intern at UNDP. I was supposed to report to the downtown office, but a severe traffic jam prevented me from arriving by 9 a.m., so I returned home. The following day, I went back, explained the situation to my supervisors, and expected the worst. Instead, they calmly said, “No worries. Just make sure you wake up earlier and plan your travel to avoid traffic.” I had truly thought that moment would mark the end of my internship.

Now, on the day of my final MEXT interview, I was unsure how many people would be on the panel. Yet, in my heart, I had already made a decision. I was prepared to decline the scholarship offer.

At that point in my life, I had secured a highly prestigious position with one of the world’s most respected organisations, the United Nations. Although the job was based on yearly contract renewals and the salary was modest, it provided me with stability and opportunity. That income had even allowed me to start a small financial lending business, which I named Wangalomo Finance.

I asked myself: What more could I possibly need?

Wangalomo: A Stepping Stone

I started Wangalomo Finance as a side hustle while working with UNDP. By then, my internship period had ended, and after evaluation, I was offered a one-year contract as a National Consultant under the Disaster Management Project. My responsibility was to collect and build a comprehensive database of disasters that had occurred in Papua New Guinea over the past 50 years. Once collected, the data would be uploaded to the UNDP disaster database system and made available online for global access. After completion, the project would be handed over to the University of Papua New Guinea for long-term management.

Given the one-year timeframe, I committed myself fully to delivering the project successfully. I knew that most annual contract positions were temporary and insecure, lasting only as long as funding remained available. That uncertainty pushed me to invest more time and energy into Wangalomo Finance, which was my own creation. This business made me feel alive. It inspired me, sparked new ideas, and allowed me to think creatively and innovatively about generating income.

The first step was building a client base. Lending money is a high-risk business, and people can easily take your money and disappear. To manage this risk, I decided to lend only to close friends and trusted colleagues.

Within a few months of setting up Wangalomo Finance, I began to see steady returns. Most clients honoured their commitments, repaying on time and in full, including interest. A few exceptions taught me valuable lessons. I remember one client recommended by a colleague who borrowed 200 kina and then disappeared when repayment was due. I even went to his house looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found.

From these experiences, I learned critical business lessons:

1. Do not lend money to desperate clients

2. Lend only to clients whom you know personally.

3. Trust your own instincts

4. Never lend money to the people your clients recommend to you.

Making My First Real Money

Working on an annual donor-funded contract with UNDP was challenging. Establishing Wangalomo Finance became my safety net—a fallback plan in case the contract ended unexpectedly. It provided me with financial independence and confidence, fulfilling the vision I had hoped for after graduation. 

Honestly, when I started at Wangalomo Finance, I began to see real financial progress. Each week, I received 100s and 1000s of kina and a lot of transactions between my clients and me. This was in the earlier stage of Wangalomo Finance, as I was working to put together a strategy plan for the company to grow in the future.

Deciding Not to Study in Japan

After the final MEXT panel interview, we were told to go home and wait for a response. At that point, I believed I had already established myself. I asked myself, Am I not tired of studying? I had spent nearly a third of my life in school, and now I was being asked to return for another three or four years. I had just begun working and experiencing life for the first time.

I imagined a future where I might continue working with UNDP or grow Wangalomo Finance into a major financial institution and perhaps even a holding company managing multiple businesses under one umbrella.

That night, lying awake in bed, I questioned whether a master’s degree was essential for success. I considered delaying the scholarship to pursue my true passion—not further studies, but building something meaningful. Something that brought me joy, fueled my creativity, and allowed me to help others.

Even before the MEXT decision, Wangalomo Finance had already enabled me to donate to my local church and support friends’ families financially. The business had placed me in a position to give back.

I eventually made my decision. In the small shared room I lived in with my cousin, I decided that if offered the scholarship, I would decline it and instead focus on growing my business over the next five years. I had clear plans for expansion, including renting a small shop at Jackson's International Airport to sell food and drinks through a contract with the  National Airports Corporation.

For the first time, I felt I had found my place in the world. Why walk away from it? What was I really chasing, more education, or financial independence, respect, influence, and the power to create change?

The Call

A few weeks later, while working at UNDP around 10 a.m., my phone rang. A representative from the Japanese Embassy was on the other end of the phone, and she said,

“Joshua, congratulations. You are one of four recipients selected to study for a master’s degree in Japan under the MEXT scholarship. We would like to confirm your acceptance so we can begin document preparation.”

I had already made my decision.

“I’m truly grateful,” I replied, “but I would like to kindly decline the scholarship. Please offer it to the next candidate.”

I felt a deep sadness, but I reminded myself that I had a future where I was. Education could wait for now. I needed to build my life and gain real-world experience.

The Wangalomo Financier

One year after declining the MEXT scholarship, I focused fully on Wangalomo Finance. By the end of 2019, I had secured around 20 stable clients. Through strategic management and creative incentive systems, clients repaid on time and in full. Starting with less than K1,000, I generated nearly K30,000 within a year, which was over 100% profit.

Encouraged by feedback on my management skills, I decided to transform Wangalomo Finance into a formal financial institution.

In 2020, while still working with UNDP, I officially registered Wangalomo Financier. The company focused on three core services:

1. Emergency financing (especially for health and essential services)

2. Small business loans with fixed annual repayment plans

3. Education and travel support packages

Traditional micro-lending for daily needs such as transport and lunch money continued alongside these services.

Between 2020 and 2021, Wangalomo Financier grew from a small lending operation into a mid-sized enterprise. As the business expanded, it required my full commitment.

In 2021, I left my UNDP position and began working full-time to run the financier.

The Resignation

After two years of working with UNDP, first as an intern and later as a junior officer who was managing and researching disaster data, the project finally came to an end in 2020. During my tenure with UNDP, I learned many skills related to my field and updated my knowledge using the latest technologies in data and disaster management.

At that point, I had to think seriously about my future. Where did I really want to be? For the past two years, I have built myself from the ground up, from nothing into something, while working with UNDP. At the same time, my small financial business, Wangalomo, had grown from strength to strength. Each year, I was able to maximize profits through strategic management, careful material planning, and strong customer-service promotion. I also established a good, community-oriented image for Wangalomo.

Recently, I secured a space at Jackson Airport to operate a small kiosk. A few colleagues also encouraged me to commit fully to what I had started and nurtured over the past two years. In my mind, I felt that I was finally free, standing on my own feet and ready to face the road ahead.

In January 2021, after a long and difficult journey, I finally decided to draw the curtain. I remember that morning clearly. The sun rose early. At that time, I was living in the Six Mile settlement, renting a small room in the Apo block. The rent was 100 kina per fortnight, and the place had water and a toilet. It did not feel safe at first, but over time, you adjust, and slowly you begin to call it home.

That morning, I woke up and prepared myself as usual. I believe it was a Monday in the last week of January 2021. I went through my normal routine, washing, dressing, preparing, and getting ready for work. My room was located down a small hill, close to the main Six Mile road, right at the junction that splits toward Boroko and Five Mile. In the mornings, it was easier to walk down to the Six Mile bus stop to catch a bus to town.

Around 7 a.m., I left my room and walked down to the bus stop. On the way, I stopped at my friend Apo’s buai table and bought some dry buai to chew during the bus ride. As usual, the bus stop was crowded with working people, students, market mamas, and street vendors. Everyone had woken up early to catch a bus. Since it was my last day, I did not tell anyone. I planned to go to work quietly, inform my boss, say thank you, and leave. I did not want a farewell or any kind of ceremony.

At around 7:40 a.m., the bus arrived, and everyone rushed toward it. I was pushed along with the crowd through the narrow door. That day, the bus was going straight to downtown without stopping at Four Mile, but we had to pay extra. I thought it was a good idea that we did not have to get off and fight again for another bus.

By around 8 a.m., I arrived downtown. As usual, the city was busy the moment I stepped off the bus at Ela Beach and walked toward the main square. People moved around, going about their daily lives. My plan was simple: wait for my boss to arrive, tell him I would be finishing work soon, send an email to the team saying goodbye, and by Friday, by the end of the working week, I would begin a new life.

I felt positive because I did not have a wife or children to support. I was free to take risks and move forward without heavy responsibilities holding me back.

As usual, before entering the UN building, I stopped at a small street food stall outside. Mothers from nearby settlements regularly sold fresh, cooked food for workers in the area. That morning, I bought a boiled banana for my favorite mother. I often bought from her because she used only water and no additives, so her bananas were always firm and delicious.

My boss arrived a few minutes past 8 and went straight to his office. I decided to wait until lunchtime. I worked quietly through the morning, watching the time. In UNDP, we shared an office with about five people. My desk was next to the window, which allowed me to look outside whenever I needed motivation.

At around 11:40 a.m., just before my boss left for lunch, I stood up from my desk. His office was across the corridor from ours. I walked over and knocked three times.

“Hi, Josh. Come in,” he said.

My boss was from Eastern Europe, a kind and understanding person. I sat down in the chair in front of his desk and calmly spoke.

“Boss, it has been two years working with you. I have learned so much from you. But the world is huge, and every day it calls me to find my place in it. This is my time. I plan to leave this job on Friday and pursue a new path. I wanted to tell you in person before informing the team. Thank you for everything.”

He looked surprised but remained composed. He stood up, shook my hand, and said, “Thank you, Josh. I know you will find your calling and do great things. Please return the laptop, ID, and any otgher documents you have before Friday. Good luck.”

New Beginning

One year after leaving UNDP, in 2023, many things had changed. I moved from Six Mile (Goroka block) to Gerehu and rented a single room while focusing fully on Wangalomo Finance.

Throughout 2022, I worked on expanding the business, reaching new clients, strengthening systems, retrieving unpaid dues, claiming properties, making deals, and expanding Wangalomo’s services. That year, I achieved another 200% profit growth using the same management strategies as the previous year when Wanaglomo was started. That now laid the foundation for expansion into 2023 and beyond.

By 2023, Wangalomo Finance began evolving beyond meeting daily financial needs. Our vision shifted toward addressing critical challenges faced by many families in Papua New Guinea including medical emergencies, education costs, and urgent family needs.

Expanding Wangalomo Finance

In 2024, after 3 years of operation, Wangalomo Finance continued to grow rapidly. Our success came not only from profits but from trust. We built strong relationships with our clients, offering not just financial services, but friendship and a sense of family.

We emphasize understanding our clients and standing with them in times of need. Not as a business driven only by profit, but as one that truly cares. We donated to churches, supported clients during emergencies, and helped people when they felt most vulnerable. We became part of the community.

At the same time, I began negotiating to expand into retail and food services. In 2023, I entered discussions with the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to acquire a small kiosk at Jacksons International Airport to sell snacks and finger food to travelers and visitors. The negotiations progressed well, but to secure the space, an officer demanded a bribe.

Sadly, bribery has become normal for many government officers in Papua New Guinea. Instead of doing the jobs they are paid to do, they demand payments to process documents. This is something I deeply hate and a painful reality of doing business in the country.

Growth and Portfolio Expansion

By 2025, Wangalomo was growing rapidly and expanding its operations. The company officially achieved full company status, with a portfolio valued at several hundred thousand kina and close to one million kina in assets, held in the form of loans and properties. At the same time, our kiosk business also expanded, allowing us to establish a holding company responsible for running and managing our growing retail and restaurant ventures.

We were able to launch our own retail businesses, import goods, and sell them through several our retail outlets around Port Moresby.

Agriculture Sector

In 2025, we also began entering the agriculture sector, starting with rice farming. Papua New Guinea imports approximately 900,000 tonnes of rice annually, costing the country around one billion kina. Recognizing this opportunity, we were able to purchase a rice milling machine.

In 2026, we plan to invest directly in villages by establishing policies and operational frameworks that will enable us to process rice from local farmers while generating a modest profit for the company. The rice project is currently underway, and although the journey ahead in 2026 will be long, we remain committed to its success.

Small Alluvial Mining

In 2024, Wangalomo expanded into small-scale alluvial mining. After two years, the sector continues to present significant challenges. We have invested more than 20,000 kina into this project, yet we have not achieved the expected outcomes.

Despite gold prices being higher than at any point in the past ten years, we have been unable to capitalize on this opportunity due to several factors, including:

• Landowner disputes

• Conflicts among resource-owning groups

• Mismanagement  and bad leadership

• Theft of gold from the business

• Most significantly, the difficulty of doing business with family members

We are actively working to address these issues and improve the management and sustainability of this operation.

An Alternate Future: If I Had Not Come to Japan

What would my life look like after five years had I not come to Japan to study?

By now, I believe I would be the CEO of a financial company and a holding company, working for myself rather than for anyone else. I imagine that I would have achieved financial success and possibly even become a millionaire. I would likely own several houses and, more importantly, have started a family. By this stage, I think I would have two or three children.

I believe I would be happy, not just because of wealth, but because of the status and influence that come with responsibility and achievement. I would be seen as someone whose contributions are meaningful to the country and its people, a person who is respected.

Most importantly, I believe I would have broken free from generational poverty and secured a decent and stable life.

 Narated by: Joshua 

Written by Joshua 

This reflects the imagination of my alternate life had I not come to Japan and stayed here.