Robin not letting disability stop him

The National National
Robin Raluame and his wife Rachael in Port Moresby. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI

By JINA AMBA
A STUDENT living with disability who is studying at the flexible open and distance education (Fode) centre hopes to be a successful businessman one day.
Robin Raluame, from Southern Highlands, is doing his grade 11 at the Port Moresby Fode Centre.
Raluame was involved in a car accident in 2015 when he was in grade 11 and was paralysed from the waist down.
Confined to a wheelchair, Raluame had no option but to leave school.
He said this year, when he heard that the Government’s subsidised education programme would include free Fode, he enrolled to complete his high school education.
Raluame said his wife, Rachael, had been a great help and source of strength for him and this had encouraged him to want to complete his education.
He said he had initially been interested in doing a human resource course at university but changed his mind and, instead, opted to take up business administration as he had already started a small trade store at his home in Port Moresby.
Raluame said one of his role models was Isabella Kila, a young woman with a disability who went on to become a lawyer.
He said Kila’s story had motivated him to pursue his studies.
Raluame said he hoped to achieve more in life in spite of his disability and an education would help him achieve his goals.
Raluame said some parliamentarians had pledged to support him in his SME business.
He said Fode had helped and empowered students like him to continue their education by giving them tablets and other resources to help them in their studies.
Fode Port Moresby office this year has enrolled 20 students with disabilities and aims to support and encourage them to be who they want in the future.