Tragedy survivor soars

The National Main Stories

By KARO JESSE
MV Rabaul Queen tragedy survivor Trevor Todol graduated with flying colours at the University of Goroka (UOG) on Friday.
Todol, 29, from East New Britain and Morobe, graduated with a bachelor in business accounting and was in tears and thankful that he was still alive.
He recalled the challenges he had to go through, mainly the traumatic survival from the sinking of MV Rabaul Queen in the early hours of February 2012.
Todol was among some 200 passengers on board the vessel and on their way to Lae from Kimbe when one of the worst maritime disasters in the history of Papua New Guinea shipping struck.
The death toll could not be confirmed due to the unknown number of passengers on-board the vessel.
Todol recalled the day when the vessel sank, floating on a rubber tube from 6am till about 3pm when the rescue vessel arrived.
Before the tragedy, he was studying business management in the Divine Word University (DWU) in Madang.
However, he left DWU in 2014 due to financial difficulties and the traumatic MV Rabaul Queen tragedy.
He stayed out of school for three years and later enrolled at UOG in 2017.
“I faced many challenges, but my parents never gave up on me to have a decent education and academic achievement,” Todol said.
“I did some things which would frustrate parents but my parents were always behind and guiding me, counselling me on the path to have a better life.”
Todol dedicated his achievement to his parents and wished to help his father in his business for a year before looking for a job.
He is the second born in the family of two boys and an elder sister.
His sister is a teacher in Rabaul and his father is also a teacher in Kokopo Secondary School.
“It is a relief for my parents and it is my turn to help them” Todol said.
“At least I will help in putting food on the table for my family.
“Even though I faced many challenges, the thought of my future and the future my family motivated me to complete my studies,” he said, urging parents to always support their children despite their shortcomings.