Delma’s motto: Never give up

By BRADLEY MARIORI
B EING a mother with family chores to think about, on top of a teaching job, Delma Kitimun has little time for anything else – it seems.
But the mother of two from Banak in the Boikin Dagua local level government of East Sepik managed to squeeze in her studies and was elated when she received her Bachelor of Arts in Education (Professional Studies) degree from the University of PNG on Tuesday, although it took her 16 years to achieve her goal.
Delma, 47, had begun her teaching career at the Kunjinkini Primary School in Wosera Gawi in 1997.
She went on to teach at the Mandi Primary School in Wewak, then the Mongniol and Moem Barracks Primary Schools from 1998 to 2000.
In 2001, she went to Lae to teach at the Igam Primary School until 2002.
She arrived in Port Moresby in 2003 to teach at the Gerehu Primary School, then was transferred to the Taurama Primary School in 2004.
It was at Taurama that she decided to start her own business, buying and selling things including clothes from Indonesia.
She registered her company with the Investment Promotion Authority and began doing the Bachelor of Arts in Education Professional Studies in the same year.
She continued teaching and was at the St Joseph International School in Port Moresby from 2006 to 2012 when she decided that it was time to quit working and concentrate on her family, studies and business.
It was a tough decision but she knew it was in the best interest of her family and herself.
“I quit teaching while at the St Joseph International School. In 2013, I enrolled at the Institute of Business Studies, graduating with a Certificate in Accounting.
“In 2014, I was at home buying stuff from Jayapura and selling them here.
“I also went back to UPNG to continue my studies. I was really struggling because of the tight schedules.
“But I had a friend who pushed me, encouraged and forced me into completing my studies despite the challenges and looking after my two children.”
She had to do her house chores, look after her family, take the children to and from school, and run the business.
“All these challenges I faced but my aim was to complete my studies. From time to time, I would call my mother who is also in Port Moresby to come and help me with house chores while I concentrate on my studies.”
She was therefore so relieved to finally graduate on Tuesday.
But hang on, Delma is not finished yet. She is taking commercial cookery classes at the Tertiary and Further Education (TAFE). She also plans to get back into teaching focusing on tourism and hospitality.
Her advice to people who want to pursue studies but are facing challenges is to properly manage their time. Time management is vital.
“Be calm and committed and keep going. You have to do it for the better.”
Delma knows because it has already paid off for her.