A Fisherman’s Journey of Faith, Patience, and Victory over TB

Meet Ase Paho, a fisherman, father of eight children, and grandfather to seven grandchildren. He comes from Mabudawana Community and lives on Daru Island in Western Province, Papua New Guinea. Like many families in coastal communities, Ase’s life depended on the ocean. Fishing was not only his livelihood, but the means through which he provided food, guidance, and stability for his family.

That life changed when Ase became seriously ill. At first, he did not know what was wrong. The pain came quietly but grew steadily worse. Eventually, doctors discovered a problem in his bone and decided to operate. Initial test results did not show tuberculosis, but after surgery, TB was found in the affected bone. The diagnosis was unexpected and frightening. Ase was immediately placed on treatment and later transferred to a facility supported by World Vision Papua New Guinea, working closely with the Western Provincial Health Authority.

When Ase fell sick, the impact stretched far beyond his own health. Once strong and active, he was forced to stop fishing completely. With no daily income, his family struggled. While he was hospitalised, his grandchildren stopped attending school to care for him. His daughter and her husband supported him as much as they could, bringing garden food and fish whenever possible. Survival became a shared effort for the entire family.

Despite the hardship, Ase never lost hope. He placed his faith in God and trusted that healing would come.

“I was not thinking that I was sick,” he explains. “I was just getting treatment.”
That mindset helped him endure the long and difficult months that followed.

Ase began TB treatment in October 2024. The medicines were strong, and the side effects were challenging, especially in the early stages. At times, he felt weak and unwell, but he reminded himself that the treatment was fighting the disease inside his body. Over several months, he followed the treatment carefully and consistently, guided by health workers, counsellors, and treatment supporters.

Throughout his journey, Ase received extensive support from doctors, nurses, counsellors, and community-based treatment supporters. Through World Vision Papua New Guinea, with support from the PNG and Australian Governments Partnership, Ase was not only given medical care but treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. He also received meals and vouchers during treatment, easing the burden on his family and allowing him to focus fully on recovery.

“The health workers were really kind,” Ase says. “They supported me and advised me to stay on treatment every time. That is why I concentrated on getting better.”

Community based outreach also played an important role in Ase’s recovery and in protecting others. Health workers and World Vision staff worked alongside the Western Provincial Health Authority to visit communities, raise awareness about TB, explain symptoms, prevention, and emphasise the importance of early testing. These efforts helped reduce fear, stigma, and misinformation, encouraging more people to seek care early.

Learning that TB is both preventable and curable was a turning point for Ase. It gave him confidence and renewed strength to complete the full course of treatment. Slowly, he began to see changes in his body. His strength returned. The pain reduced. He started to feel like himself again.

Today, Ase has recovered and returned to normal life. He describes his recovery as being “brought back to life.” His final day of TB treatment was in the last week of March, and he is now officially free from the disease, marking the end of a long and challenging journey.

The experience has left him deeply grateful and determined to share his story with others. As a church member and community leader, he now speaks openly about TB, encouraging people not to fear testing or treatment.

“TB numbers are increasing,” Ase says. “It is very important that we listen to health workers and get advice. If you feel the signs, go to the hospital early.”

Ase believes that cleanliness, awareness, and early action can save lives. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and reducing stigma so that others do not suffer in silence.

His hope for the future is simple and meaningful: to return fully to fishing, provide for his family once again, and eventually take them back to their village. Above all, he wants his children and grandchildren to live healthy lives and continue their education without interruption.

Ase is deeply thankful to everyone who supported his journey, health workers, counsellors, treatment supporters, donors, and partners.

“Life is very important,” he says. “I thank World Vision Papua New Guinea, the PNG and Australian Governments Partneship, and the Western Provincial Health Authority”

Ase’s story is a powerful reminder that with accessible health services, compassionate care, strong partnerships, and sustained donor support, TB can be overcome. His recovery shows that these efforts do not just heal individuals, they restore families, livelihoods, dignity, and hope.