Mabiria, not just a pretty face

By ZINA KOIM
GLORIA Mabiria was first runner-up in the Miss Bird of Paradise contest this year and she is proving that she is not just a pretty face.
Mabiria is following in the footstep of her dad, a chemist.
Mabiria, from Hela, graduated from the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Natural and Physical Sciences as a chemist and said her dad became a chemist without any paper but with experience.
“He made his journey through humble beginnings to become a chemist with experience and he doesn’t have any paper but as a hard working man,” she said.
“I got this degree because of him so this paper is for my dad.”
In remembrance of the unwavering support of her mum, Mabiria framed a picture of her late mum and took it with her to the graduation and dedicated her degree to her.
“I would not be progressing to come this far if it weren’t for my mum.
“Everything that I have done is dedicated to my mum.”
She did grades nine to 12 at Marianville Secondary School from 2015 to 2018 .
She got accepted into the university to continue her studies and while in her third year she was appointed as the female vice-president of the university students’ association.
“It has been a journey of trusting God, I would say,” she said. The Hela lass said she studied at the university not because she wanted to pursue chemistry as a degree “but because how I can use my profession as a chemist to solve problems, give back to my community and contribute meaningfully”.
Being the students’ female vice-president of the university had helped her to stand up for herself and believe in herself and that was how she ventured into the quest of Miss Bird of Paradise.
“From that journey, it opened doors for me and I took the courage to stand up not for me but for every young woman who did not have the confidence to stand up for themselves to raise their voice,” she said.
“It was a success and truly I was much honoured to be given the first award as a first Hela women, it is truly a pride for my country and my province.”
Mabiria, who also is the leader of the five chemistry alumni of the university who had aimed to start up a bottled water company, said the company had progressed and moved to the next stage.
“We’ve already created our business registration so we are in the process of opening an account and liaising with other investors,” she said.
“It is big work in progress, but I see a big future for the New Guinea Wave Company Limited.”