Mum-of-10 Theresa benefits from course

By ENAMYRA ANI,
UPNG Journalism student

THERESA Gimi, a single mother of 10, is glad she attended a financial literacy course where she learnt how to run a small business.
She can use what she has learnt to expand her market vending business and budget her income.
Theresa, 59, from Popondetta, Oro, had dropped out of school after Grade Six. She stayed at home most of the time, involving herself in church activities and becoming a member of the women’s group. She even became its secretary.
She admits she has the gift of the gab and loves to mix around with people. The church noticed that streak in her and sent her to major church events in Port Moresby.
“I talk a lot and because of that, the church tells me to attend church events, conferences, tells me to do this and that, because I was the secretary.”
She always hopes that someday she will go back to school. She was doing her marketing one day at Gerehu when a woman walked up to her and asked for food as she was really hungry.
“I gave her what she wanted. The young lady said to me: Mother, there is a school that I attend. You don’t need to be a primary, high school or a university student. You just go and learn what you want. The teachers are simple. They will teach the basics of the course you choose to learn.

“ Though I face a lot of struggles, God is there watching over me and protecting me.”

“When I heard about the school, I put my mind to it, follow my heart to go to school and learn new things, things I missed out on as I only reached Grade Six.
“I heard that the Ginigoada Foundation was inviting people to register. I thought to myself: This is the moment for me. I must take this opportunity and learn something. So I registered for the one-week course.
“I feel like there’s something working in me because I know that I really want to operate my own business. So I took up Accounting.”
Theresa had faced a lot of challenges when dealing with money. Good budgeting was not one of strengths.
“I use to market but I never save anything. The money I got, I spend on bus fares because I live with my family everywhere. I don’t have a permanent house for myself. I buy food and anything I want.
“Though I face a lot of struggles, God is there watching over me and protecting me.”
She hopes the programme is extended to other districts, rural villages so that the small people will know what to do with the money they earn.
“I want mothers to be trained in this kind of programme to help them stand on their own feet rather than relying on men. I really want Ginigoada to take the programmes to rural areas, teaching them to look after themselves.”
Meanwhile she wants to continue working for the church and helping women who may be facing hardships.
“That’s what God wants us to do.”