Farmwork in Australia helped Sylvester achieve financial stability.
Working on a Queensland farm put Sylvester on a fast track to achieving his dreams.
When he boarded a plane to Australia in 2019, he was a 26-year-old subsistence farmer with no other employment or skills beyond growing food.
Four years later, he has constructed a home in Papua New Guinea for himself and his wife, built a business that his father now runs, and obtained a Queensland driver's and forklift license.
"I was excited to travel to Australia to work even though I had never worked for anyone before and couldn’t drive", he recalls.
"I have learnt so much here, more than I imagined I could. I've learnt to drive and operate machinery, I know about irrigation now, and when new workers come, I help show them how to do the job", he said.
Sylvester works for Black River Produce in Far North Queensland, which has been growing food for the domestic market in Australia for the past 40 years.
By saving and investing his wages, he has created financial security for himself and his family that he didn’t imagine was possible four years ago.
"Building a house or a business should have taken at least 15 years. I'm so happy to have achieved what I have in a short time", he said.
But Sylvester is keen to keep learning and so doesn't plan to stop working in Australia just yet.
"It's really nice here. We do many different jobs for Black River Produce, so it's never boring. I work with PNG people from different parts of the country, and we are all focused on working, earning, and building our lives back home", he said.
Black River Produce has been hiring workers from PNG through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme since the COVID-19 pandemic, when access to working backpackers dried up.
The manager of the family business, Anthony Caleo, is proud of what his PNG staff have achieved during their employment with his company.
"Every single employee has developed since day one, and the longer they work for us, the more they progress,” he said.
"Their English and financial skills have improved along with specific skills like getting a driver's license and forklift license.”
Mr Caleo said that employing workers from PNG has been transformational for his business.
"It's been one of the best things the business has done.
“Unlike most other foreign backpackers, PNG workers understand that for them to be successful, the business needs to be successful.
“I’ve found they take pride in each task and strive to be the best they can,” he said.
Mr Caleo has 10 PNG workers who perform general farmhand duties, such as planting, packing, and harvesting.
He said the ability to employ PNG workers for four years through the PALM scheme meant they could teach and train the workers, improving their skills while ensuring stability and resilience in the business.