Son dedicates degree to late mum

By JAMIE HARO
A YOUNG man honoured his mother by dedicating his university degree to her memory.
Tei-Kalany Pombuai, 23, dedicated his bachelor’s degree in psychology to his late mum Mary Loulou, who passed away 20 days before his graduation.
Pombuai was among a more than 260 graduates who recently received their bachelor’s degree, from the school of humanities and social sciences during the University of Papua New Guinea 67th graduation on April 26.
“I was looking forward to seeing my mum attend my graduation after I told her the good news, without knowing that I would lose her a few days after,” he said.
Pombuai’s dad, Joel Loulou said he and his late wife were preparing to attend their youngest son’s graduation when she fell ill and passed away.
“We initially planned to attend our children’s graduation, I attended Geraldine’s (Pombuai’s older sister) graduation and she will attend his graduation, unfortunately we lost her two weeks before the event,” Joel said.
Pombuai’s mum and dad are teachers with more than 30 years of experience.
He spent his early childhood in his mum’s village in the Manus atolls, moved to Lorengau town to attend primary school.
Pombuai was then selected to Manus Secondary School (grades nine-10) where he got accepted to continue studies at the Sogeri National High School in Central.
“My best friend Trevor Yagas and I decided to take up psychology major at University of Papua New Guinea after high school, and we succeeded but unfortunately, he couldn’t continue and left school but still managed to support me,” he said.
Pombuai said his family and best friend had always been there to support him through his university education and they were there to support after he lost his mother.
His dad has been living in Kimbe since he transferred from Manus to continue his career as a Teaching Service Commission adviser for West New Britain.