Jade Kunika’s fifteen years serving with MAF in Papua New Guinea are a testament to perseverance, faith and unexpected opportunities.
Story by Michelle Simon
Starting in 2010 as a part-time member of the MAF ground crew in Kiunga, Jade’s MAF story has been one of growth, resilience and a deep commitment to serving God and the communities of Papua New Guinea.
Over the years, he steadily worked his way up – from loading and unloading cargo, to becoming Assistant Base Manager and even flying in the Twin Otter as a Cabin Attendant. However, engineering was never part of his original plan.
“Engineering was never in the picture,” Jade said. “I started off as a traffic officer. It was all I ever wanted. Then along the way, there was a vacancy in engineering.”
Out of sheer curiosity, Jade applied and suddenly found himself training as an aircraft maintenance engineer. It was an unexpected career shift that even Jade marvelled at.
“It was all just God's planning, or the timing was just perfect. It all just started in 2014.”
Today, Jade is the Maintenance Operations Supervisor in Mount Hagen, overseeing the aircraft maintenance team at the hangar and coordinating tasks related to maintenance, scheduling and operations with MAF’s Maintenance Controller, Stores, Booking Operations team and pilots.
Jade finds deep fulfilment in his work, especially in moments that remind him why he does what he does.
“There are times in which we carry out rescues. To be part of that is such an amazing feeling, to see mothers shaking hands and offering you fruits and then saying, ‘thank you’, and you don't know what the ‘thank you’ is for.
“But later we found out that it’s because MAF has helped them. That's the joy it gives me.”
However, this remarkable journey hasn't been without its challenges.
“It wasn’t easy,” Jade said. “To be an engineer involves a lot of discipline, hard work, commitment, dedication.
There are times in which we carry out rescues. To be part of that is such an amazing feeling, to see mothers shaking hands and offering you fruits and then saying, ‘thank you’, and you don't know what the ‘thank you’ is for.
But later we found out that it’s because MAF has helped them. That's the joy it gives me
“Sometimes there are times in which you get to isolate yourself from the rest of the group, trying to make your progress, studying, to pass those exams to be licensed.”
As Jade reflects on his journey, he credits much of his success to God.
“God has been a tremendous part of my life in MAF, carrying me through all the way. So many hardships, so many challenges that I faced... God has blessed me so much that all I can do now is to serve Him with whatever gift that he has blessed me with.”
“Ten years ago,” Jade added, “I didn't know that I would be able to do this. And yeah, I would say thank you to MAF. Thank you to God for MAF.”
