Michael Pais sold drinks to make money for a calculator, scored distinctions in year 10

He was in grade 9 when he approached cameraman, Raguel Kepas, during a job and asked if he could have a look at the camera.

They told me that he showed great interest in TV and journalism.

About a week later, Michael showed up at the EMTV office, asking if he could see me. I met with him and he asked if he could do some work experience during his holidays. No papers. No formal request. He just came and asked.

Approvals were given and he joined the team for six weeks working as a trainee cameraman.

What’s different about Michael is his initiative and his willingness to fail. He will tackle a problem with the wide-eyed enthusiasm of a child and make decisions on the fly when he encounters problems. I noticed earlier on that he really didn’t care what others said.

He was willing to take on every challenge, fail big and learn from it.

I was rigid and hard during the six weeks. A lot of times he got ‘fried’ during our prospect meetings when he had mucked up the day before. We would correct the mistakes and go do it again.

I let him know early that I was NOT his school teacher, that he would have to work hard to learn and that he should not expect to be spoon fed.

Michael’s dad is Bougainvillean. His mum is Simbu. Michael Pais senior passed away a few years back leaving him with his mum and older siblings. Michael has always had an interest in photography from an early age. He had made a deal with his late dad that he would work hard in school and his dad would buy him a camera if he did well.

Michael Pais senior passed away before he bought the camera.

Michael speaks in a matter-of-fact manner. No exaggeration. No shyness. Just straightforward talk.

In December, Michael dropped by and told me that he was selling drinks to make some money to buy a scientific calculator.

One staff member told me, he had, on numerous occasions, seen Michael at 6am in the morning walking from West Taraka to Bumayong where he goes to school.

Today, Michael came to the office again for help.

He wanted to open an account and needed me to sign a statutory declaration form. He has just got his grade 10 certificate after paying outstanding fees.
I asked to see it.

He had scored three DISTINICTIONS and four CREDITS on his certificate.

Michael wants to study journalism at Divine Word University. He has been talking about it for three years. I don’t know where he will get the the K7000 university fees in two years. But all that matters is that he has a dream and he believes.