By GABRIEL KATUHO
AMONG the cheerful crowd of people who celebrated those who graduated under the School of Medical and Health Science yesterday at the John Guise Stadium, the Makiba family gathered together, breaking down in tears as they embrace an unforeseen moment together.
Mrs Jacinta Garu Makiba held her late husband’s framed picture with her degree while her two sobbing children were by her side with the family who turned the atmosphere into a sad scene.
Jacinta Garu Makiba from Ialibu, Southern Highlands province, graduated with Bachelor degree in surgery as her second degree and dedicated it to her late husband Mr. Amon Makiba, who was the driving force behind her achieving that degree.
Jacinta graduated with Bachelor degree in Pharmacy in 2018 and was employed by City Pharmacy the same year in Port Moresby and in 2019, she met late Mr. Amon Makiba from Magarima in Hela province.
“My first degree I got was Bachelor in Pharmacy in 2018 and was employed the same year with the City Pharmacy and in 2019 I met my husband. There we started seeing each other and finally got married,” said Mrs Makiba.
“My husband’s childhood dream was to become a medical doctor but unfortunately, he made it into accounting so he said since you are in that field you can pursue my dream so that’s why he told me to go back to school.
“He was the one who sponsored me even though I was highly paid with City Pharmacy and was content with that but he insisted and said no and he went ahead and did my resignation.
“He applied for me and in 2021 they accepted me to do second year since I did my science foundation already with the first bachelor degree that I had,” she stated.
SJacinta started another milestone journey in 2021 to 2024 without knowing that such tragedy would strike her.
Four years has come to its final pace as her final student life approached for her to sit for her final examination.
While waiting for her final examination on Friday 25th of October 2024, the tragic news of her husband shocked her.
Jacinta’s Husband late Mr. Amon Makiba was driving to work when he collapsed on Thursday 24th of October 2024 at Down Town in Port Moresby.
He was pronounced death on arrival after being taken to the hospital.
Late Mr. Makiba was working with the bank of Papua New Guinea as a senior analyst while supporting her wife to pursue that carrier that he once dreamt of becoming while growing up.
“He died on Thursday and Friday I was supposed to sit for my final exam but I never did. I went home for burial and the next day I came back and sat for my final examination,” she stated.
Though it was a tough moment for her, she passed the examination and was eligible to graduate.
While breaking down in tears, Mrs Jacinta Garu Makiba dedicated her second degree to her husband Late Mr. Amon Makiba as his childhood dream was finally achieved, however, sadly he was not present to witness the prestigious moment.