Mum Theresa’s sacrifice pays off

People
“ I was the happiest mum. Jamie has set a pathway for her siblings. I thank God Almighty for being there for me (when I faced) personal problems.”
Jamie Haro and younger sister Alphonsa after the graduation

By PATRICIA KEAMO
MOTHER Theresa knew that her sacrifice two decades ago had paid off handsomely when she watched daughter Jamie Haro receiving her university degree last Tuesday at the University of PNG graduation.
She thought back to the decision she made in 1996 to quit the university degree course she had already started in 1993, but had to hold it off for a while because of fee problems, to give birth to Jamie.
Jamie, 24, graduated last week with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations at the University of PNG.
Theresa Haro-Kairi, from Miaru in Gulf, wants to see her three daughters Jamie, Alphonsa and Lovelyn go further than her and complete their education up to tertiary level.
“My goal is to make sure that they go one step further than me because I didn’t get the chance to complete my studies and get my degree. I will make sure that it does not happen to my daughters.”
In 1998, her husband from East New Britain passed away after a short illness when Jamie was only two.
“I had no choice but to go back home to my parents and did odd jobs around the place.”
Any thought of returning to university went out of the window after she remarried.

Jamie Haro with her Bachelor of Art degree in Journalism after her graduation last Tuesday.

“By then, I had missed my chance to go back to school because I had three children to take care of. I had to give up my dream.”
Alphonsa is into her third year at UPNG pursuing a degree in Humanities majoring in Arts and Design.
Her youngest daughter Lovelyn is pursuing a Diploma in Human Resources programme at the Goroka Technical College.
Theresa joined the Works department as a casual in 1999 and was confirmed the following year as a permanent staff in the Accounts department.
She made sure Jamie got all the support she wanted to complete school and then university.
“I put a lot of pressure on her to be what I was supposed to be. Although life was hard, we persevered. Now finally Jamie is a bright star.”
Jamie completed primary education in 2012 at the Ilakaraeta Primary School in Kerema before attending the Kerema Coronation High School.

Jamie Haro with her family at her graduation last week. Far right is mum Theresa with stepdad
Tom Kairi at the back.

In 2015, she was selected for Grade 11 at the Kerevat National High School in East New Britain which her late dad had also attended.
Mum Theresa missed her Grade 12 graduation because it was too far.
“I told her that if she is going to apply to any university, it has to be somewhere close to me so I can be there when she gets her degree.”
And that happened last week.
“I was the happiest mum. Jamie has set a pathway for her siblings. I thank God Almighty for being there for me (when I face) personal problems.”
Jamie, now working as a freelance journalist, thanks her mum and stepfather for supporting her.
“The struggle was worth it. I accomplished my mum’s dream. I know that she wants to see my two younger sisters also obtain their qualifications.”
She wants to help her mum as she owes it to her to accomplish that too.