NINETEEN-year-old Doreen Ricks is from Kandep in Enga. She completed Grade 12 at Lae Secondary School last year and was accepted into the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE) in Vudal, East New Britain, to take up a degree in tropical agriculture. However, Ricks’ journey to pursue higher education has hit a snag as she needs financial assistance to achieve her goal. She is the last in a family of five and her parents, Anne and Moses Yapo, are subsistent farmers. She is a village girl with big dreams – bigger than what her family can afford. Ricks completed her elementary to grade six in her home province. In 2014, she moved to Lae to live with her uncle – for a better chance at furthering her education. Securing a space at Omili Primary School, she did her grade eight and was accepted into Lae Secondary in 2016.
Her maternal uncle, whom she was living with, moved to Port Moresby that year. Ricks, however, decided to stay on and continue her grade nine; this time, with her paternal aunt. But Ricks’ aunt, Leah Mon, lives with a disability and does not work. Her parents advised her to return home, but Ricks was determined to do her bachelors in tropical agriculture. “Three of my elder siblings got offers after grade 12 but had to forgo a tertiary education because of our financial situation,” she said. “I don’t want to follow the same path as them; I don’t want to limit my education just because of tuition fees. “I want to break that cycle.” Putting her faith in humanity, Ricks has made the decision to make a call through the media, for tuition sponsorship assistance. “I’m not giving up easily,” she said. “I have come this far and I know this is not where my journey ends. “I believe there’s someone out there who will be willing to help.” Ricks draws her strength from the Bible verse Jeremiah 1:5 and trusts the Lord will make a way. “I want a chance to be productive member of the society.” Photo and Story by TheNational Next : Education Part Of Overall Relationship Between PNG And China, Says Envoy Comments are closed.
|
: Get Free Webpage for your School. Send us your School Profile now
>> STUDY IN PNG Follow PNG Online School |