No stopping health worker Diana now

MOTHER-of-two Diana Wama Michael believes that those who have a positive mental attitude will go far and achieve a lot.
Diana, 35, after spending 17 years in the village doing little else apart from looking after her family, recently received a Certificate in Community Health Work after deciding to something for herself.
She was one of the 36 who completed a two-year training at the Professional Accelerate Institute private college of nursing in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands last August. She also received the dux award.
After school, she completed a course at the St Paul’s secretarial college in Mt Hagen in 2002 before returning to the village, got married, had children, become a fulltime housewife, and supporting her family through subsistence farming.
But after 17 years, she decided to do something for herself. So she applied to the institute to pursue a certificate in community health work. She was accepted.
Diana used her savings to pay her fees at the college, assisted by her family members including husband Michael Wek Kerowa and father Edward Wama.
“It was my only hope. So I had to focus on my studies to secure a good future for my family.”
She found it hard at first to get back into studying.
“Being at home for 17 years without reading or writing, and going back to school was a bit hard during my first year.”
But she was determined to complete the training and become a qualified health worker.
“Nothing is impossible for a person who has a positive mental attitude and a goal to achieve. I know that.”
Diana is happy to be a health worker now to help sick people get better and make a useful contribution to the community instead of just sitting at home.

“ Nothing is impossible for a person who has a positive mental attitude and a goal to achieve.”

“I planned it well as it was what I wanted to become. I have a responsibility to my family. Dreaming is free. But it will take a hardworking person to make it happen.”
Diana believes that women in villages should get out of their comfort zone and do something for themselves and their families instead of just general housework.
“It needs two people to raise a family and we as women must do our bit to support our husbands in raising our children.”
Diana plans to go a step further in her pursuit of a career in health by pursuing a health-related programme at the University of Goroka.
Staying at home as a fulltime housewife is no longer an option for Diana. There are other things to do which can easily be achieved if one puts one’s mind to it.
“We all have a purpose on this earth and we need to focus on what we are supposed to or can do.”
There is no stopping community health worker Diana now. The sky is the limit for her.
“I’m proud and thank God and my family for their support.”