Mum-of-two Fiona achieving higher marks

By SAMANTHA KATI
MOTHER-of-two Fiona Wenama did not feel discouraged or out-of-place when she found herself among students much younger than herself in the same class and dormitory at university.
“I (initially) had to try to adjust myself as a mother (after finding myself) in the queue with young undergraduate students for meals, and sleeping (among them) in the dormitories. I felt like I was on a reverse mode, but I coped with it up to the end.”
She recently graduated at the Divine Word University after completing a one-year Masters in Educational Leadership degree course.
Fiona, from Kaibola village, Trobriand Island, found it quite challenging at first as a mother to be in school with students much younger than herself. But she quickly learned to live with that situation.
She decided to take up the course after considering her past academic results at school and university, and her work experience as a teacher.
“I received top academic awards at the Gaulim Teachers College and the University of Goroka where I graduated in 2017. They motivated me to pursue further studies. Changing roles and responsibilities at national level also motivated me to meet the requirements of the (higher) leadership roles and responsibilities.”
She thanks the Kiriwina-Goodenough district for paying part of her university fees.
“My school fees was a challenge also but I didn’t think of it as a setback. I was able to get it sorted out with the help of a Kriwirina-Goodenough district scholarship which paid one-third of my fees.”
She had to leave her two children behind with her husband.
“My husband was encouraging me to take up the course even after I refused. He assured me that he would take care of our two children while I take up full-time studies.
“I dedicated my achievement to him since I know that not all men would allow their spouses to leave their role as a mother to take up studies.”
She also worked online while at university.

“ It is really appropriate to celebrate what I have achieved so far in my life and appreciate the memories this part of my education has given me.”

“While studying, I was also working online to pay my fees and meet my two children’s needs. It was not that easy but I was able to manage with the help of my husband and a good friend of mine.”
She was also encouraged by her former work boss who always reminded her that she had the potential to excel in life.
“He encouraged me to go for studies. And my friends who I cross path with in life and know me encouraged me to take up the opportunity when the university accepted me.”
She acquired a higher grade point average (GPA) compared to previous academic results.
“Credit to my lecturers who gave me endless assignments. They surely built my mental toughness at DWU. I made the right choice to be at DWU.”
Fiona served as a primary school teacher for 15 years, then joined the National Catholic Education as assistant secretary for PNG/Solomon Islands, before she left for DWU. She is now looking for a job.
“I have three offers given to me but I am yet to make a decision on which one to take. I feel that graduation is a (level I have achieved to show) that things are changing and that my life will now be different. I will be in different environments with different people.
“It is really appropriate to celebrate what I have achieved so far in my life and appreciate the memories this part of my education has given me.”
Her advice to women or people thinking of furthering their studies is to always to think positively for things to work out and fall in place.
“Obtaining an academic qualification is like opening a door to changes in life.”