Against all odds, mother of two graduates after decade long journey to success

In the bustling streets of Port Moresby, where survival often demands resilience and sacrifice, one woman’s journey stands as a powerful testament to determination, faith, and unwavering hope.

Reslyna Beno, a mother of two from Yebi in the Imbonggu District of Southern Highlands Province, has finally achieved what once seemed impossible, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Papua New Guinea after a decade-long struggle marked by setbacks, sacrifice, and perseverance.

Her story is not just about education it is about endurance.

Reslyna’s academic journey began in 2016 when she was selected from Kerevat National School to pursue her studies at UPNG.

Like many young women leaving home for the first time, she carried dreams of success and a brighter future.

But life had other plans.

In 2018, while in her third year, Reslyna gave birth to her first child.

Financial hardships soon followed, forcing her to withdraw from university and return home.

Determined not to give up, she re-enrolled in 2019 only to face another setback in 2020 when she was placed on the exclusion list.

“I was told to come back in 2021,” she recalls.

That same year, life tested her again.

Pregnant with her second child and still attending classes, Reslyna was diagnosed with serious breast condition, with suspected cancer.

She spent a month in hospital. By the time she was ready to return, exams had already begun, and she was unable to sit for the exam. She quietly walked away, this time without getting a formal withdrawal.

“I gave up. I thought I had no hope to complete my education,” she says.

What followed were some of the hardest years of her life.

Reslyna traded lecture halls for roadside markets. She sold bilums, blouses, and small goods along busy streets, sometimes walking long distances from Taurama Foodland to other parts of the city just to make a few kina.

At times, she carried her two young children with her as she stood by the roadside, weaving and selling to survive.

There were moments of doubt and embarrassment.

“I thought people would talk behind my back,” she admits.

“But then I realized no one will give me anything for free. I had to do something.”

Through it all, she leaned on her faith and her skills.

“The Lord blessed me with the gift of weaving bilums,” she said.

Years passed, and the dream of graduating seemed distant until 2024 something shifted within her.

“I told myself I would go back and complete my education,” she said.

With renewed determination, Reslyna took a bold step.

She wrote a formal letter explaining her situation, attaching medical reports, and submitted it to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UPNG.

The response was unexpected.

“The Executive Officer read my letter and simply told me to reapply,” she recalls.

“No questions. That was unusual. It felt like God’s timing.”

She reapplied and was accepted back into the program in the second semester of 2024, resuming her third year.

This time, nothing would stop her.

After years of interruptions, sacrifices, and resilience, Reslyna finally completed her studies.

She walked across the graduation stage head held high, heart full, marking the end of a 10-year journey defined by both tears and joy.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Ms Beno said.

“We may not understand why we go through certain situations, but we must stand strong.”

Today, she stands not just as a graduate but as a symbol of perseverance.

A proud wife. A devoted mother. A woman who refused to give up.

Reslyna now uses her story to inspire others, especially young women who may feel discouraged or ashamed of their circumstances.

She encourages students not to let pride stand in the way of survival.

“Put your ego aside and focus on what you can do for yourself.

“With the way Papua New Guinea is heading economically, we must be willing to work hard in any way we can,” Ms Beno said.

From selling bilums on the roadside to earning a university degree, Reslyna Beno’s journey is a reminder that success is not always a straight path but with resilience, faith, and courage, it is always within reach.