Lawyer Natasha thanks parents for her success

The National People

By LORRAINE JIMAL
WHEN growing up, Natasha Yomba wanted to become a doctor, after watching her dad, a pharmacist, attend to sick people.
But during a debate contest in her Grade Seven class, Natasha argued and presented points so eloquently and effectively that she thought it would be better to become a lawyer.
“Being a lawyer wasn’t my dream job when growing up. I always wanted to be a doctor. I guess it was because my dad is a pharmacist and I watched him deal with patients. I thought to myself that I would love to be like him when I grow up.”
Her dad also advised her to forget about becoming a doctor and to take up law instead. She never thought about it seriously until high school when she was told to stream into different subjects.
Her favourite subjects were English and History. So she took the Social Science stream and Legal Studies.
“Many people assume that you study law because of the money. Well, that’s just one part of it. There are so many reasons. For me, I want to help people. I want to see justice being served on people.”
Natasha, 23, was admitted to the bar last month.
Her father Timothy Yomba is from Gumine district in Chimbu. Her mother’s parents were from Rai Coast in Madang and Baiyer in Western Highlands.
Natasha, the eldest in a family of three, was born and raised in Mt Hagen. Her two brothers are still in school.

“ Many people assume that you study law because of the money. Well, that’s just one part of it. There are so many reasons. For me, I want to help people. I want to see justice being served on people.”
(From left –right) Second born brother Simon Yomba, dad Timothy Yomba, Natasha Yomba, mum Lydia Yomba and her third born brother Tyron Yomba after her graduation at the university of PNG graduation last year. – Picture Supplied.

Dad Timothy is a pharmacist inspector/technical adviser with the Health Department. Mum Lydia Yomba is an aviation quality manager at the Mission Aviation Fellowship in Mt. Hagen.
“I thank God for them because I wouldn’t have made it this far if it wasn’t for my hardworking parents. They raised me well and sacrificed so much for me. For that, I will forever be grateful to them.”
She started her education at the Kimininga Adventist Primary School from 2008 to 2012. In 2013, she attended the Mt. Hagen Secondary School. In 2017, she enrolled at the University of PNG.
Natasha also thanks other family members and friends who helped her overcome peer pressure, social distractions and school fee problems.
“There were times when I felt I couldn’t push through because of stress, or when I felt that school was too much for me. But my two favorite Bible verses, Psalms 46:5 and Philippians 4:13, helped me.
“Now that I have been admitted to the bar, I aim to uphold the principles of the noble profession and its professional conduct rules.
“I will have uphold the professional conduct rules and serve the justice system with integrity and transparency.”
She is giving herself five years to become one of the best commercial and civil litigators in the country, and hopes to get her masters in law too.
Her advice to young women who aspire to become a lawyer or to pursue another profession is to always put God first in everything, and have self-discipline which comes in handy when the going gets tough.
“My mom has always advised me to put God first in everything I do. And so far my God has not let me down.
“When you have self-discipline, you will persevere. And hard work always pays.”