Sylvia Kaski, 30, is studying Business Accounting at Divine Word University. Her dream job is to either be a certified practicing accountant or an auditor. She is passionate about sup
porting women’s empowerment through education and financial literacy.
Before returning to her studies, Sylvia worked as a secondary school teacher, a research assistant for a teaching project, an accounts payable assistant and an acquittals assistant. When she is not at Uni, Sylvia enjoys engaging in community activities like fundraising for local clubs and planning and organising events. She also loves reading poetry and novels in her spare time.
Sylvia wants to be famous for being a role model to others through both her academic and her personal pursuits. She hopes to inspire other young women of Papua New Guinea to live to their fullest potential academically and career-wise.
Looking forward to her upcoming trip to Australia, Sylvia hopes to get a true feel of the country, soaking up the culture, meeting new people, and learning about Aussie lifestyle, climate, and modernity.
Sylvia is a single mother to her seven year-old daughter. She hopes to set an example for her little girl and inspire her to do great things for Papua New Guinea as well.
Jerome Sesega, 21, is from West New Britain Province and is completing his final year of Law Studies at the University of Papua New Guinea. A born leader, he aspires to become Partner at a law firm or CEO of his own business. Jerome believes that his versatility and ‘can-do’ mentality are his greatest assets, and that they will afford him the ability to run his own business and take part in charitable causes in the future.
Twenty-four year-old Jeremy John of Warongoi, East New Britain Province, is currently in his final year of his Bachelor’s Degree in Information & Communication Sciences from the University of Papua New Guinea. His dream job would be to become an Information & Communication Managing Director for a PNG-based company.
At 22, Petra Totome is finishing up her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Papua New Guinea. Born and raised in Eastern Highlands Province, she has spent recent years in Central Province and East New Britain Province. She hopes to manage her own NGO one day, helping and investing in Papua New Guinean children. Before she gets there, she’d like to gain some work experience the National Agricultural Research Institute or the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Originally from Manus Island, 22 year-old Johnetta Lili is currently in her final year at the University of Papua New Guinea, where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Her dream is to complete work experience in the Australian offices of Price Waterhouse Coopers and Ernst & Young. In the future, she hopes to become a partner at a PNG accounting firm, and she dreams of becoming the youngest female PNG partner.
Kelly Samof, 23, is completing his degree in Economics at the University of Papua New Guinea. He would love to work for Deloitte Economic Access, and aims to become a Global Macro Economist. Outgoing and entrepreneurial by nature, Kelly wants to be known for being an innovative prolem-solver and PNG’s top advisor on economic matters.
Kathleen Ratnasingam is from Kaivukavu Village, Ihu District, Gulf Province and has lived in Port Moresby, National Capital District since her childhood. In 2012, Kathleen was a recipient of the Archer Leadership Scholarship offer by Kokoda Track Foundation. Kathleen received her Bachelor Degree in Education (Secondary) in 2012 at Pacific Adventist University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education in May, 2014 from the University of Waikato, New Zealand. She is a lecturer and the Business Communication Course Coordinator at the International Training Institute – a private tertiary training institute at the Badili campus, Port Moresby. Her background and focus on community collaboration has led her to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles. Kathleen is the Founder and Executive Director of the Kathleen Rescue Me Foundation Inc. a non-profit organization recently established in PNG. She has recently begun studying another Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Development from Pacific Adventist University. Kathleen’s vision is to “give people hope to realize their full potential”.
My name is Wilma Mavea. I am the second last born child of 6 siblings. My parents are both originally from Eastern Highlands, Okapa district. They moved to Port Moresby in search of better life, they did odd jobs to make ends meet, and sent us to school.
I was born and raised in the small town of Madang, in a neighbourhood that may be likened to Brooklyn NY. Where violence, drugs, alcohol, prostitution and poverty was normal. I was blessed with a strong-visionary mum who introduced me to a great escape from the grey world that surrounded us, and it fast became something I’m deeply passionate about, books. Between the pages I learnt of worlds far away that were so colourful and the grey past that they had. I read about fictional and real heroes/heroines – great leaders. I remember thinking to myself, I want to be courageous and compassionate like them, I want to help make this world a little better. This has led me to work with amazing organisations like The Voice Inc(PNG) ,Oaktree (Aus), volunteer with PNG Cancer Foundation, serve as a Student Leader with UPNG Students Services and assisting to facilitate Small Business development Trainings with Social Impact Consultancy (PNG) in the Finschhafen district of Morose Province. I am currently employed by the firm as a graduate consultant and Small Business Development Training facilitator.
Born in 1989, at the birth of the ten-year Bougainville Crisis, Eleanor spent her childhood years growing up in Siwai, South Bougainville. During the height of the crisis, Eleanor completed her primary schooling at Lonahan Primary School in North Bougainville and then went on to complete her secondary schooling at Tarlena Bishop Wade Secondary and Hutjena Secondary Schools.