Isabella makes her dream to become a lawyer come true

The National Main Stories

By AMELIA BEATRICE NUMA
ISABELLA Kila, born with a rare disorder characterised by the absence of limbs (Tetra amelia syndrome), has fulfilled a dream she had made known five years ago – to become a lawyer.
Her mother Judith pushed her in a wheelchair onto the graduation ceremony stage on Wednesday to receive her law degree. She was one of the 109 University of PNG law students to graduate.
“Today is an event in my life that I will always cherish,” Kila said.
“It made me appreciate the degree I hold. It’s a degree of a noble profession.”
Flashback to the front page of The National on Oct 20, 2015 showing Kila sitting for the Grade 12 national examination at Gerehu Secondary School, pen stuck between her right upper arm and chin, eyes focused.
She said then: “My dream is to become a human rights lawyer and I am working hard to achieve that. Accessibility is an issue to me. And becoming a lawyer will help me fight for people with special needs.”
Her dad Benjamin said then that Isabella was a “fighter”.
Now 25, the girl from Rigo in Central, was all smiles as she received her degree from University of PNG Chancellor Robert Igara.
“When I received that bamboo, I felt that the onus was on me to make a change,” Kila said.
Her dream of becoming a lawyer started when she was in Grade 10 and represented the Cheshire disAbility Services PNG Young Voice group in 2013 at the International Youth with Disabilities meeting in Kenya.
Dad Benjamin told The National that Isabella’s achievement was also for those who believed in her and supported her journey.
“This is an achievement for all her sponsors and supporters to also celebrate,” he said.
“My family and I are grateful for the support from sponsors and partners including Rimbunan Hijau, Cheshire PNG, Digicel Foundation and other individuals.”
Mum Judith said there was never a time Isabella would miss her classes, despite the weather.
“She was always determined and her interest and passion was the reason I had to ensure she was properly covered during wet seasons to go to class,” she said.
“We have all sacrificed so much and Isabella worked hard for this.”

17 comments

  • Congratulations Isabella. You defeat all obstacles and doubts to make your dream come true. You are uniquely special person and talent. You stood taller than what people think and confined to. Well deserved and you should be proud of yourself.

  • Top Isabella you made the family and all rigo people a happy smile on our face.s
    it’s histrical event you have done it am proud of you thank it’s eye opener to
    all the fiscal children’s from rigo.

  • Heaps of CONGRATULATIONS to you and the hardworking people that made it possible for you to come that far. Small steps to be better by moving from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Isabella had made it and proved what Zig Zigler said holds true “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” All the best in all that you do.

  • Congratulations, Isabella,

    I love how colorful your life is so beautifully combined within the life in a very place that’s meaningfully connected within the work you are doing and disabilities’ right movement.

    Congratulations to Miss Isabella Kila on your graduation.

    But! But! Ha-ha, there’ll be no more lectures and tests; that’s beautiful.

    Last and not least, prepare for an adventure in job hunting and sweaty interviews.

    Glory and honor to the Lord.

  • CONGRATULATIONS Isabella!

    NOW THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR ALL ABLE BODIES THAT ARE LAZYING AROUND DOING NOTHING AND BEGGING.

  • Fantastic effort by you Isabella and your loving family.. thumbs up..!!! You’ve proven all odds wrong and has stood tall till passed Wednesday you delightedly received your worthy bamboo…

    Enormous challenge to all able bodies roaming around aimlessly expecting the Heaven to open-up for them, so that they can receive free handouts.

    Further, Government must invest equally and evenly on people with disabilities to achieve their personal dreams in life.

  • Well done Isabella and well deserved congretulations to you and your wonderful mum who always made you were covered to attend classes during rainy days.

    History in the making. May God bless you for your perseverance and commitment and hopefully God will bless you with a job soon.

    You have done the hard yards. Where there is a will there’s a way. Let PNG know when you get a job.
    Congratulations once again and God bless.

  • Congratulations Isabella. To God be the Glory, the rest is Blessing. God’s protection, guidance and wisdom be upon you as you strive to be the best Human Rights Lawyer for the uniquely created mankind, for nothing is impossible to God.

  • God choose you to be special to inspire, motivate and encourage us. Your wonderful parents, your sponsors and your lecturers wanted you to be successful. Your story is a blessing to us. You belong to God and He will provide for you always.

  • Congratulation, doing theory is over and now facing the practical side of life. One advise is don’t let money be your master as its the root of all evil.

  • Congratulations Ms Kila. Few more weeks and you will be admitted to the bar courts of PNG. With your fighting spirit I’m sure you are going well at LTI. God works in many wonderful ways, yours is one . What an inspirational story yours is. May your story inspire many more PNG’ans to strive to get educated.

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