Maria leaves children behind for Aust job

By MAZIE SELMBIA
MOTHER-of-three Maria Lumbi Nomarepa is leaving to work in Australia for four years – thanks to the Lae labour mobility scheme – and hoping to set up her own business on her return.
“I only completed Grade Six. A sister friend we were living together at the settlement told me to use her papers to secure a job. I used her papers and her name to find employment. (A security firm) employed me despite having no experience, no education background and coming straight from the village.
“I used to be a guard at the Angau hospital and at a company, working shifts day and night to support my three children.”
She had always dreamt of becoming a businesswoman. But when her partner left her behind with their three children to support in Lae city, she had to look for other ways to sustain her family.
Maria, 38, is from Kagua in Southern Highlands. She lives at the Four-Mile settlement in Lae with her three children. Because she is leaving for Australia, she is sending her three children to live with their grandparents in her village.
“This opportunity now has reminded me about my dream of becoming a businesswoman. When my work colleagues mentioned about joining such groups to work overseas, I told them that I will join the group sponsored by my employer (Lae MP John Rosso). I will be forever grateful to them for employing me (as a security guard) and providing an income for me and my children these past years.”
She is one of five women selected to work in the JBS Meat Works Company in Dinmore, Ipswich, Queensland.
Maria and the 39 people picked for the Lae labour mobility programme signed a four year contract which includes a four-week annual leave to PNG.
They will be paid fortnightly under the Australian rate. They will also attend courses on meat work and processing.
Maria traveled to Port Moresby with 24 others to catch their flight to Australia.
She and others are willing to leave their children and families behind to grab this golden opportunity.
Her eight-year-old son Mackenzie, who accompanied her to a farewell ceremony organized for the group on Friday, was at his mother’s side all the time.
When asked about what he thought about his mother’s departure for overseas, he just brushed away tears. No words. He will surely miss his mum. He will travel with his two other siblings this week to Kagua to live with their grandparents.
“My children will travel back to my village to live with my parents in Kagua.”
For Maria, it is an opportunity to fulfil her dream of setting up a business one day on her return. But most of all, she is making this sacrifice for her three children.
“I will faithfully (carry out my duties) while in Australia because I have come through a lot. I want us (me and my children) to be successful in the future.”

“ I will faithfully (carry out my duties) while in Australia because I have come through a lot. I want (me and my children) to be successful in the future.”