By Peter Zeter
KINARUT – It was against his will and certainly not one of his many wishes to step into Monfort Youth Training Centre (MYTC) two years ago. Luke Loning Tokuyuk Neemoh, 20, was pressured by his father to enroll into the training center, forcing him to quit his job with his cousin, though it was a low-paid job.
Out of obedience, he reluctantly accepted the arrangement made by his father and after many ups and downs, he graduated. Against all odds, he emerged as the Best Trainee.
Luke was awarded the Best Trainee Award out of 44 trainees who had completed their two years of extensive and rigorous training in various technical skills in MYTC. There were 14 trainees from the Motor Mechanics department, 10 from Welding Technology programme, nine excelled in the 6G SMAW Competency Test conducted by CIDB Technology, 11 from the Facilities Maintenance and Carpentry program and nine from the Oil Palm Plantation Conductorship programs. Luke was in the Motor Mechanics department.
The 24th Graduation Ceremony, May 24, at the MYTC Residential Campus, Kinarut was officiated by Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok, Chairman of the MYTC Board of Governors who also presented the certificates to all graduates. In his speech, commenting on the theme chosen for the ceremony as well as reminding the graduates, he said, “I noticed this year’s theme ‘Let the light shine before others’, and I must say, it is more than just a beautiful phrase. It is a reminder to live with purpose and integrity. Each of you carries a light within you, your talents, your kindness, your resilience, your drive to make a difference. Don’t underestimate the impact you can have simply by being your best self, whether in the workplace, at home or in your community.”
Stressing to the students the value of the training they had received, Dompok said, “At Monfort, you have received more than technical training, you have been shaped by core values: discipline, responsibility, and respect. These are not just words, they are the foundation that will guide you through life’s challenges. Skills may open doors, but it is characters that will keep those doors open.”
Other than the 44 graduates, he also presented the Academic Achievement Award to two boarders, Mark Claveria from St Mary’s Youth Hostel of Sandakan and Braynn Rushell Justin from San Damiano Boys’ Hostel of Kiulu.
Speaking about his son’s achievement, Loning Tokuyuk, from Kg Kivat, Penampang, admitted that it was his initiative to get Luke into the MYTC. “I feel proud of his achievement and at the same time thankful to Monfort. It was when he entered MYTC that I felt affirmed. If not, I think the lifestyle, especially now which is clinging too much on to gadgets, is a life without solid values. That was my reason for pushing him to enter MYTC, to build a firm and solid values in his life.”
About the changes in his characters, Luke’s mother, Talin Yong said, “I feel happy and can see that there are positive changes in him. He is clearer in his direction of life, more positive in facing the challenges ahead. The biggest changes that I can feel about him is his characters, his personal appearance, and the way he thinks. He is becoming more mature and critical in his thinking on how he will move forward in his personal life.”
