A Son of Lae, Rooted in Resilience
In the bustling city of Lae, where cultures
merge and businesses thrive, one name stands out—a man whose life has been a
testament to resilience, hard work, and unwavering faith. Ben Woo, a true “Mangi
Lae”, was born on August 4, 1960, into a family that had already faced
great trials. His parents, Ping Chui Woo and Jin Yee Wan, had fled the
devastated town of Rabaul after World War II, seeking a fresh start in Lae.
Their decision to rebuild in a town set the
foundation for what would become one of Lae’s most well-known entrepreneurial
families. But for Ben, life was never about simply inheriting success—it was
about earning it, fighting for it, and building upon it.
Ben Woo pointing out to a picture of the Wan Jin Wah shop he now owns from 1953
Learning the Value of Hard Work
From a young age, Ben was immersed in the
rhythm of business. His family’s store in Chinatown was more than just a place
of commerce—it was his classroom, where he learned lessons no school could
teach.
“Even after school, when I finished work, I
would always come home and help my mum in the shop… I learned how to pack
biscuits, rice, and sugar into smaller portions. It was just part of life.”
But life in business was not easy. As the
family expanded their store, they faced challenges—floods, relocations, and the
need to constantly adapt. In 1965, the family moved to Eriku, where they
established a new home and store on Huon Road.
Determined to provide the best education
for their children, Ben’s parents sent him to St. Peter’s Lutheran College in
Brisbane for high school. While many of his Chinese-Papua New Guinean peers
chose to stay abroad after independence in 1975, Ben made a life-changing
decision.
“I still believed in Papua New Guinea. My
family believed in this country. We saw opportunities here, and despite the
risks, we stayed.”
Building a Business Legacy
Returning to Lae in 1979, Ben stepped into
his family’s business with a vision—to expand beyond what his parents had
built. In 1981, he officially took over operations, and with his wife, Nancy,
by his side, they worked tirelessly to grow their enterprise.
Over the years, PC & JY Woo Ltd became
a household name in Lae and Mount Hagen, with the iconic Wan Jin Wah Store on
7th Street standing as a landmark of his hard work. His business expanded,
employing over 150 Papua New Guineans, many of whom have worked with him for
decades.
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| Ben Woo outside his PC and JY Woo shop at the Lae Main Market |
“I have employees who started as
18-year-olds, and now they’re close to 60. That’s the kind of loyalty and hard
work I value.”
But with success came challenges. Running a
business in Papua New Guinea meant navigating law and order issues, security
concerns, and economic instability.
In a cruel twist of fate, his Eriku store
was completely destroyed by fire. Years of hard work were reduced to ashes
overnight. But instead of giving up, Ben saw a blessing in disguise.
“The day we were supposed to take over Wan
Jin Wah Store, the fire happened at Eriku. It was really strange. But it was a
blessing—because none of my employees lost their jobs. We simply moved them to
the new location, and business continued.”
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| The Wan Jin Wah Shop in 1953 |
It was this unshakable spirit that kept him
going. The Eriku store was rebuilt, stronger than before, a towering symbol of
his perseverance and resilience.
A Life of Faith and Service
For Ben, business was never just about
profit—it was about giving back. His greatest investment was not in goods or
stores, but in people and faith.
As a devoted layman in the Resurrection
Lutheran Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG, Ben spent years
teaching Sunday school, supporting community projects, and attending church
conferences across the country.
“I don’t just give money—I give my time. I
go to these conferences, stay with the people, talk with them, pray with them.
That is what faith means to me.”
Many have been touched by his kindness, and
some remember his words years later.
“One young pastor told me he still
remembered my parting words to him from 10 years ago: ‘I do my little bit, and
I hope to see you in heaven.’ It moved me that my words had stayed with him for
so long.”
Reflections on the Future
As Papua New Guinea celebrates 50 years of
independence, Ben reflects on how far the country has come—and how much further
it must go.
“This country is rich, not poor. But
leaders need to be genuine. Just handing out money to people won’t solve
problems—you have to teach them how to use it wisely.”
He worries about the over-reliance on
government aid and the decline of self-reliance.
“We are making our people lazy. They rely
too much on the government instead of standing on their own two feet. We need
education, discipline, and vision to truly move forward.”
Yet, despite the challenges, he remains
hopeful.
“I still believe in Papua New Guinea. I
love this country. It has given me a life, a business, and a family. Yes, the
road is not easy, but we must keep going.”
A Legacy That Will Endure
At 63 years old, Ben Woo has built more
than just a business—he has built a legacy. His businesses, his 40-year
marriage to Nancy, and the values he has instilled in his three
children—Veronica, Wesley, and Lorraine—are a testament to a life well lived.
While many of his Papua New Guinea-Chinese
peers have left, he remains one of the few who stayed, believing in the future
of the land that raised him.
He has faced fires, economic downturns, and
law-and-order challenges. Yet, through it all, he never gave up.
“I could get shot one day or die in an
accident. But at least I know that I have done something meaningful—I have
served, I have helped, I have given back. And that, to me, is a life well
lived.”
His story is not just one of business
success—it is a story of faith, perseverance, and the power of never giving up
on your homeland.
“I have done what I love—serving, teaching,
and giving back. My hope is that my journey inspires others to build, to
believe, and to lead with integrity.” – Ben Woo
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