Clare weaves electronic bilum

COVER STORY

By JINA AMBA
TWENTHY-eight-year-old Clare Guria lost her hearing at the age of 14 and has lived her life as a hearing impaired young woman for the past 14 years. But this hasn’t stopped her from achieving her dreams and goals.
Clare is the eldest of four children. Her father is from Toma in East New Britain and her mother is from the Wosera-Gawi district of East Sepik.
Clare did her grades one to four at St Mary’s Primary School in Wewak and grades five to eight at Moem Barracks Primary School. She then continued her grades nine to 12 at Mercy Secondary School, Yarapos outside Wewak town.
From there Clare was selected to further her studies at Madang Technical College to do a Certificate in Painting and Decorating.
She continued to Queensland University of Technology and did a Bachelor in Design (Interactive and Visual Design) with honours.
Being awarded the Australia Awards scholarship was in itself an achievement she is proud of.
“One of my achievements is receiving a scholarship from Australia Awards in Papua New Guinea under which I now have completed my degree in one of Australia’s prestigious universities. However, I would like to add that despite the loss of my hearing ability, I have always managed to overcome any obstacles that came my way.

“The e-bilum is the biggest project of my honours degree to be professionally presented on our graduation showcase at the Design Festival at QUT, Brisbane. My ‘e-bilum’ is among presentations by many other students. It is our mental challenge that is the most vital part of our lives. It determines whether we can achieve great things or not, in facing our next steps in life and how we can withstand the social challenges that are impacting us.”
Clare has advised young girls to focus on achieve greater things in life.
“I am sure every young girl knows the right and wrongs. How to be a confident woman among the crowd, educated and well-mannered with merit – all thos things.
“But my advice is, if we don’t support each other we will never achieve great things. The reason why I won the award for my honours work was that I had lots more support than my fellow course mates. So you support one sister today and tomorrow the same sister will support you. That’s how we all can achieve great things.”
Clare says everything and anything can be achieved. She is urging people with disabilities to focus more on their ability and not on their disability.
“This is to people who are like me, either born with a disability or by accident and or it just happened to you. I urge you all to never look at your disability as an impediment.
“If you have a dream, go for it, believe in it every day, nourish it and work hard for it. Most importantly don’t ever let people bully you into thinking you can’t.
“Bullies will always be part of our lives but remember they are just background noises. Remember you can and you will. Believe in yourself the world is your oyster.”