Sky is limit for lawyer Kristobella

By CLARISSA MOI
IN honour of her country, Kristobella Haro from Gulf proudly donned her PNG flag-design meri blouse when she received her Bachelor of Law degree.
Kristobella, 23, had been noticing people adorned in provincial-themed attire during graduation ceremonies and elected to do something different.
“They proudly honour their province but I want to honour my country because I realised that the degree will benefit not only myself, my family, loved ones, my tribe or my province, but also my country.
“If this degree can assist in bringing change and improving lives, then it serves its purpose. That’s why I wore the PNG flag as I walked up to receive the degree.”
Kristobella, from Lese Oali in Gulf, was among the 109 who graduated from the University of PNG law school last month. She is the third eldest in a family of seven.
She is currently at the Legal Training Institute where she is also the female class representative for the LTI trainee lawyers 2020.
She wants to join a law firm after LTI to gain as much practice, knowledge, skills and mentorship in different areas of law.
“I hope to do well in the law firm that I am working at and to eventually work my way towards achieving my goals.”
Kristobella’s plan in the next five years if to get a Masters in Law degree.
Looking back, there had been many memorable moments in her life but the one that stood out was on being selected to study law at UPNG.
“To be honest, I did not think I would make it. I was even advised to change my choice on my school leaver form. But I believed that God would open a door. So I filled the form at the eleventh hour, just before they were to be collected, to surprise those who thought I wouldn’t make it. I did and flash forward, I graduated with a law degree this year. Trust is a testimony in itself.”

“ I hope to do well in the law firm that I am working at and to eventually work my way towards achieving my goals.”

Kristobella is also the first law trainee to receive the Australian Victorian Bar Ruby-Anne Laufa best female advocate award, in honour of the late Ruby-Anne. It was presented by dad Maurice Laufa at the conclusion of a recent advocacy training at the LTI.
Kristobella’s role models are her mother Hakaua Susan Harry, dad Christopher Haro, stepdad Gordon Manub and her “spiritual parents” Reverend John Boffah and lady pastor Joyce Boffah.
“These are key individuals that I wish to emulate as they are special to me and played an important role in my life. They have their own successes, strengths and stories which I admire and wish to follow.”
Kristobella has learned over the years that putting God first and following his teachings and rules are the priority.
She hopes to one day become a judge and eventually accomplish her goal to be a first female chief justice.
God willing, and knowing Kristobella, she will achieve all those.