As a boy growing up in Munuwai Village in Kavieng, New Ireland Province, Leeroy Karapo would spend hours standing by the airport fence watching aircraft lift into the sky.

Every take-off stirred his imagination. Every landing reminded him that there was a world far beyond what he could see.

His late father, Orim Karapo, a Magistrate based at the Kavieng Courthouse beside the airport, often took his young son to work. While he attended to his duties, Leeroy would make his way to the airport fence, captivated by the sight of Air Niugini and Airlines PNG aircraft arriving and departing.

Those moments became the quiet beginning of a dream. What Leeroy could not have known was that another journey was already unfolding behind the scenes, one his father had carefully planned long before his time was cut short.

In 2013, Mr. Orim Karapo passed away after a short illness, leaving behind his wife, Leeroy and his younger sister.

Life changed overnight, yet even in his absence, late Orim continued to provide for his family.

As a Nambawan Super Limited (NSL) Member, he had nominated his children as beneficiaries. Following his passing, Leeroy's entitlement was placed into an NSL Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Minor Account, where it remained protected and continued earning interest until he reached adulthood.

For Leeroy's mother, it was more than financial security. It was peace of mind. Knowing that funds had been set aside for her children's future meant she could focus on raising her family without constantly worrying about how they would one day pay for higher education.

Years later, that foresight began opening doors. The savings in Leeroy's RSA Minor Account helped him complete a Diploma in Information Technology at Don Bosco Technological Institute. When his passion for aviation called him in a different direction, those same savings helped pay for his Aircraft Maintenance Engineering studies at Aiyura Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School and his Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) PNG licensing examinations.

Even after graduation, the RSA Minor account continued supporting him, covering rent and living expenses while he searched for employment in the aviation industry.

Looking back, Leeroy shared that the account became much more than money set aside for the future. "It wasn't just money," he reflects. "It gave me the chance to keep going."

That support proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. While studying near Kainantu, travel restrictions made it almost impossible to visit an NSL Branch. Unsure what to do, Leeroy contacted officers from the NSL Kavieng Branch.

What followed was more than a simple transaction. The officers guided him through the entire withdrawal process remotely, explaining each step, emailing the necessary forms and ensuring his application was processed quickly. The funds arrived just in time for Leeroy to pay his school fees and continue his studies without interruption.

"That support meant I could stay focused when everything around us was uncertain due to the Covid Pandemic," he shared.

It was a reminder that even from hundreds of kilometres away, someone was willing to help him keep moving towards his dream.

In May 2026, years of perseverance, study and practical training came together in one defining moment. Leeroy received his CASA PNG Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License.

The young boy who once stood outside the airport fence dreaming about aircraft had become an engineer responsible for helping keep them safe.

Today, he serves with Mission Aviation Fellowship Papua New Guinea (MAF PNG), helping ensure aircraft remain airworthy for the remote communities that depend on them every day.

For all that he has achieved, one thought remains close to his heart. "I wish my father could have been there," he shared quietly. "I know he would have been proud."

Leeroy's story is a powerful example of why NSL’s RSA Minor Account exists.

Designed to protect benefits belonging to minor beneficiaries (children below the age of 18), the account preserves a Member's legacy by keeping their savings invested until their children are ready to access them. During that time, the funds continue earning interest, providing greater financial support when young people need it most, whether for education, stationery or the next step towards their future.

Leeroy’s journey also serves as an important reminder for every NSL Member.

Keeping beneficiary nominations or listing and personal details up to date is one of the simplest yet most meaningful ways to protect the people you love. Sometimes, a decision made today can shape someone's tomorrow.

When late Orim Karapo nominated his children as beneficiaries years ago, he could never have imagined exactly where that decision would lead.
Today, his legacy lives on every time his son helps certify an aircraft for flight, every time another community is safely reached, and every time a young Papua New Guinean is inspired to believe that their dreams are within reach.

This story reminds us, that superannuation funds like NSL provide a service that is more than just about retirement savings. It is about protecting legacies, creating opportunities and walking alongside our Members and their families through every stage of life's journey.

Because sometimes, the greatest inheritance is not simply the money we leave behind. It is the future it helps create.