Member Spotlight: Jimaima's Journey from the Classroom to the Pacific

For Jimaima Julai, every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. As an early childhood educator from East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea, she has always believed that meaningful change begins with education. Attending the 2025 Pacific Australia Youth Leadership Summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands, provided an opportunity to expand that vision beyond the classroom and connect with young leaders working towards stronger communities across the Pacific.

Representing East New Britain as a PAYA member in Papua New Guinea, Jimaima joined 35 emerging leaders from across the region for four days of leadership development, cultural exchange and collaborative learning. While nine educators had originally been selected from her province, unforeseen circumstances meant she became the only representative to attend, carrying with her the responsibility of sharing the experience with her colleagues upon returning home.

Throughout the summit, one message became increasingly clear: leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about having the courage to take the first step.

Interactive activities encouraged delegates to move beyond self-doubt, reminding them that waiting for the perfect moment often means never beginning. For Jimaima, this challenged the habit of waiting until she felt completely prepared before taking action. Instead, she discovered that growth comes through participation, persistence and a willingness to learn along the way.

The summit also offered a deeper appreciation of the Solomon Islands' rich history and culture. From learning about the country's heritage and governance to exploring Parliament House and the National Museum, Jimaima was reminded that strong communities are built by honouring the past while preparing for the future. The experience reinforced the importance of working alongside elders, respecting cultural knowledge and ensuring young people have a voice in shaping tomorrow's decisions.

One of the defining moments of the week came during the Local Leadership Panel, where Pacific leaders openly shared the realities of leadership—the challenges, the setbacks and the resilience required to keep moving forward.

Rather than presenting leadership as effortless, the panellists spoke honestly about overcoming fear, maintaining excellence and building strong support networks. Their openness left a lasting impression on Jimaima, reinforcing that leadership is not measured by titles but by consistency, integrity and a commitment to serving others, even when the journey is difficult.

The lessons continued beyond the meeting rooms.

During the hike to Tenaru Falls, delegates navigated steep tracks and challenging terrain before reaching the waterfall. For Jimaima, the experience became a powerful reminder that the most rewarding outcomes often come after perseverance. Along the trail, conversations with fellow delegates strengthened friendships and created connections that continue to inspire collaboration across the Pacific.

The summit challenged delegates not only to learn but also to create practical solutions for their communities.

Working with fellow participants, Jimaima helped develop a project focused on improving early childhood education by creating locally made teaching resources for children with disabilities and additional learning needs. Although the project did not receive the competition grant, the experience strengthened her belief that meaningful change does not depend on winning funding—it begins with people who are willing to act.

That lesson was reinforced during a visit to Amazing Grace Farms, where delegates met a family who had built a successful enterprise by starting small and growing steadily through determination, innovation and the careful use of local resources. The experience reminded Jimaima that lasting impact is often achieved through consistent effort rather than large investments.

Returning home, Jimaima brought back more than new ideas.

Inspired by the summit, she is committed to strengthening partnerships between teachers and parents through the Senisim PNG Initiative, creating opportunities for families and educators to work together in supporting children's learning and development. By fostering values-based discussions and encouraging collaboration, she hopes to strengthen early childhood education while empowering communities to take ownership of their children's future.

Equally important were the relationships formed throughout the summit. Through PAYA's regional network, Jimaima connected with young leaders from across the Pacific who shared many of the same hopes, challenges and aspirations. Those conversations continue beyond Honiara, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, encourage one another and work together on solutions that extend beyond national borders.

Reflecting on her journey, Jimaima believes leadership begins with taking action, even when the path ahead is uncertain. The summit reaffirmed that meaningful change does not always require significant resources or perfect conditions. Sometimes it starts with one conversation, one classroom or one community willing to take the first step.

As she continues her work in East New Britain, Jimaima carries with her the lessons, friendships and confidence gained through PAYA—committed to nurturing not only the next generation of learners, but also the next generation of leaders.

Because when educators are empowered to lead, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.