Gray’s dream comes true

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday 7th June 2013

 By PETER ESOP WARI

A PERSON living with disability expects to complete his education next year after receiving a Grade 10 certificate at the Mt Hagen Flexible Open Distance Education (FODE) in Western Highlands.

Paulus Gray, 44, from Neragaima village, Gumine district in Chimbu ,said he would have completed his education a long time ago if he had  financial support.

“I am happy that I have graduated with a Grade 10 certificate and I need money to continue Grade 11 and 12 from next year,” he said.

“My biggest dream is to work in an office and play around with computers, and the people at FODE will help me to enrol at a computer school.”

FODE coordinator Joyce Pogla said Gray was special.

She said Gray had problems with his hands and legs but came to school every day from Warakum village.

Gray studied at the Callan Special Education Resource Centre in Mt Hagen from 1984 to 1986 and Kugark Community School in 1987 where he graduated with a Grade 6 certificate in 1992.

In 1993, he enrolled at the Minj High School in Jiwaka and reached Grade 10 in 1996. 

However, his marks were not good enough to further his studies due to his disabilities. 

His only option was to enter FODE where he enrolled in 1998.

Due to financial difficulties, it took him 15 years to finally complete Grade 10 and be rewarded with a certificate.

“Finance was big problem to me. I stayed two to three years back in the village and came again to take up one or two subjects,” he said.

“Many times I wrote letters to business houses for assistance but they ignored me and whatever little money I receive from relatives and friends, helped me greatly in my studies.”