A scholarship to honour flag designer

By BRADLEY MARIORI
RAMU International School in Madang celebrated Independence in colorful style with guest Nanny Huhume, the husband of PNG flag designer, Susan Karike Huhume.
A scholarship under the name of the late flag designer was also launched during the celebrations.
It was a day filled with traditional dances from the four regions of PNG, string bands, modern dances, flag raising, plenty of food and launching of the scholarship for girls named after Susan Karike Huhume.
School principal, Les Potter who had been in the school since 2011, said this was a big year as they had a smaller celebration last year. Potter thanked his staff who were behind the event.
“The important thing to celebrate during such events is culture. The children must maintain ties to their culture. What we want to achieve during such events is to make sure we maintain strong sense of community,” Potter said.
He said some dances put on by the students during the celebration were assessable.
Event coordinator, Benny Pari said it was a tradition in the school to celebrate independence every year but this year’s celebration was the best yet.
He said they had prepared early for the event starting in term two of the academic year with each teacher being allocated a task towards the event.
“Seeing the outcome now, I’m settled. It turned out the way I wanted,” Pari said.
“I’d like to thank the principal, board, staff and the general manager for giving their support to this event which turned out well.”
Rumu international school head girl, Sharlene Tringin said the celebration was a great success through efforts of teachers, parents and students.
“We presented our traditional items through the four regions and it went out very well and was so interesting,” Tringin said.
Pedra Agi said the event was something big for them as parents as it was a way of teaching children their traditional ways.
“We are priviledged the school is helping us to teach children their traditional ways, especially during such events,” Agi said.
The Susan Karike Huhume scholarship launched during the independence celebrations is to help underprivileged girls to attain an education.
Launched by Soroptimist International Ramu Inc., the Susan Karike Huhume Memorial Scholarship will help girls who come from families that are unable to financially support their education.
Nanny Huhume said such recognition did not happen when he was with his wife and he agreed to officiate and launch the scholarship on behalf of his deceased wife when asked for his permission by Soroptimist to use his wife’s name for the scholarship.
“I’m grateful for this. My wife died in 2017 and there was no proper recognition given to her. Naming this scholarship after her was part of recognising her and I’m grateful to Soroptimist International for this,” Huhume said.
Soroptimist International Ramu president, Kimberly Berem said K15,000 a year would be allocated by the scholarship to help five girls to attend schools starting next year.
She explained that the K15,000 was an amount that corresponded with Huhume’s age (15 years) when she designed the flag and the five girls each year represented the five stars on the flag.
“We hope to seek funds from the Government and other agencies to support the scholarship programme. Late Huhume wasn’t given a proper recognition till she passed away and this scholarship is part of recognising her contribution to the country.
Through the scholarship, her legacy will live on,” Berem said.
She said they wanted to help girls in tertiary institutions and those in years 10 and 12 of secondary eduction.
“For a start, we will get one female each from Soroptimist’s five clubs in the country to be sponsored next year.
As years go by and we are financially fit, we will look at helping more girls in the country.”
Soroptimist International has clubs in 122 countries and in PNG they have five clubs.