By Dicky Lao- Managing Director, PNG N0.1 SME Limited | Zaphaniah Lao – Sacrifice and SME Transformation
Zaphaniah Lao – Sacrifice and SME Transformation
20th May,2026
Success is not built overnight. It is built through sacrifice, discipline, humility, and years of perseverance. The story of my younger brother, Zaphaniah Lao, is one that reflects the reality of many young Papua New Guineans today — educated, ambitious, but born into difficult circumstances with limited resources.
Zaphaniah is the third child in our family. We were raised by parents with strong ethics, strong values, and a deep belief in hard work, despite coming from a poor background. We did not have wealth, luxury, or connections. What we had was character, resilience, and the determination to rise above our circumstances.
As the eldest brother, I carried the responsibility of helping my younger siblings through school. I paid school fees, supported them where I could, and constantly encouraged them to pursue education because I believed it was the foundation for a better future.
In 2020, Zaphaniah graduated from PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment with hope and dreams for a better life. Like many graduates, he believed that obtaining a degree would immediately open doors to financial success and stability.
In 2021, he secured his first job at the National Capital Botanical Gardens in Port Moresby. Every morning, he woke up at 6am and worked tirelessly until 6pm. He gave his best. He remained committed and disciplined.
But after two weeks, something happened that changed his life forever.
One Friday afternoon, he came home and sat quietly beside me. I could see the disappointment in his face. He looked emotionally drained and discouraged. I asked him what was wrong.
He replied in Tok Pisin:
“Bikpla wok me wokim stap… 6am to 6pm na ol givim me K206 tasol long fortnight.”
(“I am doing such hard work… from 6am to 6pm, and they only pay me K206 for two weeks.”)
He then threw the bank card towards me and said:
“Brother, you have always been there for me, so please use the money however you want.”
At that moment, I sat quietly beside him and gave him one of the hardest but most important lessons in life.
I told him:
“This is life. Education and degrees do not automatically guarantee K1,000 every fortnight. It is experience that builds value over time. Years of discipline, sacrifice, humility, and hard work are what shape a person into someone capable of earning more.”
I explained to him that many young people misunderstand education. A degree is not the final destination — it is only a tool. What truly matters is how a person applies their knowledge practically to solve real problems in society.
Then I told him something that changed his direction completely:
“There is another way to utilise yourself — SME.”
I told him:
“If you can practically apply what you learned in university, then go back to your province. Help the people who truly need your knowledge. Build your own life. Build your own business. Build your own future.”
That very evening, I told him I would be travelling to Enga Province the next morning.
I challenged him directly:
“If you are willing to sacrifice your degree, your pride, and the dignity people associate with being an educated person… if you are willing to humble yourself and start from nothing, then follow me tomorrow morning.”
And he made his choice.
The next morning, he followed me to Enga Province.
There, I trained him, mentored him, tutored him, and nurtured him for an entire year. During that time, he earned no salary. Not a single kina. But I constantly reminded him:
“Do not believe in money. Believe in yourself. Help people genuinely and do not expect rewards in return. Your rewards will come in many other forms.”
He listened. He stayed disciplined. He remained humble. He worked with people at the grassroots level. He learned the realities of SME development, agriculture, community empowerment, and self-reliance.
Slowly, he began building himself — not just financially, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
After two years of sacrifice qand dedication, his efforts began receiving recognition. He was acknowledged by the Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea under the Strongim Bisnis and Strongim Hub initiatives for his contribution towards SME and community development.
And just this week, one of the proudest moments of my life happened.
Zaphaniah officially opened his own SME office for PNG Agro SME Incorporation Limited in Wabag, Enga Province — and I was invited to proudly open the office myself.
Seeing my younger brother standing independently, leading his own organisation, creating opportunities, and building a future for others was an emotional and proud moment for me as an elder brother.
Today, he employs six people.
Six families are now benefiting because one young man chose humility over pride, sacrifice over comfort, and service over self-interest.
I do not usually share stories about the many people we have helped over the years through SME and financial literacy programs. But today, I proudly share the story of my own brother because it represents something much bigger than individual success.
His story is proof that SME can create jobs. SME can restore dignity. SME can empower our youths. SME can build communities. SME can build Papua New Guinea.
Our country will not be transformed only through government policies or large corporations. True nation-building begins with hardworking, disciplined, and self-reliant individuals who are willing to start small and grow through persistence.
I give credit to every hardworking young person in the public sector, private companies, informal sector, and SME space who continues to believe in changing our country through self-independence, entrepreneurship, and hard work.
The story of Zaphaniah Lao is a testament that success does not come from titles alone — it comes from humility, discipline, sacrifice, and the courage to start from nothing.
And that is the kind of generation Papua New Guinea needs.
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| Dicky Lao (Middle) Managing Director (PNG N0.1 SME Ltd) cutting ribbon during Agro SME Incorporation Limited Head Office Opening 🎗️ ✂️ |
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