Women living along Sepik River described as tough

MISS Pacific Leoshina Kariha has described women who live along the Sepik River as tough and resilient.
Kariha went on a six-night cruise along the river on board the Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) vessel Kalibobo Spirit and said it was an honour and a rewarding experience.
Kariha was at the launching of the Miss Madang Pageant at the Madang Resort’s Haus Kibung on Sunday night.
“They deliver their babies in their own homes using nothing but a razor blade and a dish of water,” she said.
“These are strong women that have survived in such tough conditions.”
She thanked MTS director Sir Peter Barter for the “opportunity to truly see the country I represent”.
“This is the country that we call home and it is the country that I am proud to represent,” she said.
Kariha urged expatriates and locals try out the cruise.
“It is a truly rewarding experience. I’d like more people to take this trip and experience PNG the authentic way – the real PNG,” she said.
PNG will host the next Miss Pacific Pageant.
“We are hoping to bring the Pacific queens to a province outside Port Moresby and hope that it will be Madang.”
Sir Peter thanked Kariha for representing the people of PNG.
“It is such big shoe to fill,” he said.
“Leoshina has both beauty and intelligence which makes her the best at what she does,” said Sir Peter.
Sir Peter also described the people from the Sepik River as reliant and very hard working.