Disability at birth no handicap for architect

By PHILMA SENGI
HAILING from a mixed parentage of Chimbu, Central, Manus and Milne Bay provinces, Lauou Riva is the eldest son of two children in a family of four.
He is a member of the Papua Adventist Students Association, a sub association under Unitech Adventist Students Association.
“I was born with disability when conceived at a rural aid post in Manus Island.”
“Being from the remote part of the island, the clinic doesn’t really much have the facilities at that time so I was born with a disability.”
Having this condition doesn’t stop him from his learning and being confident in whatever he went throughout his life’s journey.
With his interest in the area of construction, it motivated him to apply for the course and fulfill his dreams and passion despite his disability.
After graduating from Port Moresby National High School, Lauou was accepted into Papua New Guinea University of Technology in 2018 to undertake the Bachelor of Architecture programme.
He was one of the students in his class who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture under the five-year degree programme at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology’s 56th graduation ceremony on April 5. Lauou’s education success is a result of pure hard work, his commitment to his studies and his faith in the Lord almighty.
“I’d say that everything is simple math, like one plus one. If you study and do your part then God will add on to the result of what you have put in.”
From the many challenges he faced during his years in university, him being disabled and for him to walk long distances to and from school is an everyday challenge.
Lauou’s plan is to work for a company but not for too long – at least five to six years and try to look further after that.
“To anyone that is interested to pursue any goal that you have, there’s always a way. When you have the will to do it, God will open the way and you will pass through”
Interestingly, the guest of honour for the graduation Prime Minister James Marape was a classmate of Lauou’s father and knows the family personally.
Marape recalled Lauou’s childhood days where he used to attend school on his own every day, describing his actions as a reflection of determination.
The PM congratulated Lauou on his achievement and encouraged the graduates not to give up on themselves and further told them that if they could not find jobs, they must find a way to create employment themselves.