The reward of independence: How Fiona weaved her way into a full sponsorship

By COURTNEY MIRUPASI

THERE is a story behind every graduate, one that tells of challenges, triumphs and sacrifices. It is never an easy feat to complete a degree, let alone get through four grueling years of hard work and commitment to come out of an institution successfully completing all requirements. And Fiona Utame is no exception.

 Here is a story of self-determination and passion, one she is both humbled and proud to share as she graduated recently with a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy at the University of Papua New Guinea’s 67^th Graduation Ceremony.

Fiona comes from Kirene village, more commonly known as Siwi-Utame in Ialibu, Southern Highlands Province. This is where her story begins, where she turned her skill of weaving bilums into a source of income and ended up landing a full sponsorship from nationally-owned oil and gas giant, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL).

Having completed primary school in Kagua, then going on to do her grade 9 to 10 at Buyebi High School and finally grade 11 and 12 at Kerevat National High School, Fiona’s academic merit led to her acceptance into the Science Foundation Year at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) in 2017.

The successful completion of her foundation year and meeting the requirements to get into the School of Medicine saw Fiona start her first year of pharmaceutical studies in 2018, fast forward five years later and Fiona not only graduated but is leaving with a sponsorship that has allowed her to excel within her degree and beyond in her field of work.

Throughout her years of study at university, Fiona took it upon herself to assist her parents in paying for her fees as well as that of her siblings’ by weaving and selling bilums every chance she had during her term holidays at Kirene. A practice most women took on to create an income for themselves and their families in the village.

“My family and I reside along the Highlands Highway going down to Mendi and Hela Province. This area where I come from is of higher altitude at about 3000 meters above sea level and we don’t grow any cash crops like coffee and peanuts. Therefore, our main source of income to sustain our daily living is by weaving bilums and baskets. Our mothers and young girls make string wool bags (bilums) while the men and boys weave baskets from canes and other bush materials. These are sold along the roadsides or highway where buyers come and buy them and resell them at towns and cities,” she said.

She said that she would usually make 10-15 bilums to earn her and her family around K200-K300, which would go towards all school fees. She added that this has become the regular routine for her on her breaks, because while she enjoyed weaving as a pastime, she also felt obligated as an older child to support her parents. Relieving them with as much as she could of the school fee burden every year was the least she could do to help them.

Fiona is the second child among five, of which her elder brother is also in university and her three younger brothers are in grade 12, grade 8 and grade 1. With five children, her father has managed to provide for his family with his income as a secondary school teacher, however it has been a struggle to cover costs for school and the additional expenses that come with being a university student living and studying away from home.

“My dad’s income is not sufficient to cater for our school fees that range from K20 to thousands every year for my brothers and I, sacrificing my school holidays in making bilums to help my parents is how I support them. There are other expenses for other necessities apart from school fees; that of clothing, food, travel, pocket money and many more, these are real struggles in the life of a student,” she said.

She said that as the only girl among four brothers, she always believed in being independent rather than being dependent on others. She did things for herself, and made the most of all opportunities that came her way. One of which presented itself at the end of 2019 during her Christmas holidays after completing her third year studies at med school.

“In my 2019/2020 Christmas Holidays I took the opportunity to join the mothers from the village to sew and make some bilums for Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL). Our goal was to make 250 bilums with KPHL colors and with the company name printed on the bilums. I contributed by making 10 bilums while my mother made five. Most mothers did not know how to weave the KPHL name into the bilums so I assisted them to. By the end of it, I found that this particular sale was better than the previous holiday’s sales on bilums and helped a lot to assist my dad in paying for my fees, airline ticket to return to school and other expenses.”

It was this opportunity that put a spotlight on Fiona once KPHL found out that she was a student studying at university, and her assistance with the mothers allowed them to complete the order of 250 beautifully handcrafted bilums as well as generate income for the village of Kirene in doing so. Fiona’s modest intention behind supporting her parents by weaving the bilums she did during her holidays was enough to earn her full sponsorship by KPHL to support her in university, and further in her endeavors beyond studying. While KPHL is known for supporting communities and individuals through countless donations and scholarships, Fiona’s is a first of its kind simply because her story was worthy in its nature and one that needed to be encouraged.

Fiona is still in disbelief that just by doing what she deemed normal or even necessary for her role within her family, she was noticed and rewarded for her initiative in stepping up to support her parents.

“Who would have thought, sewing bilums during my school holidays with the village women would lend me a full sponsorship, until I was contacted by KPHL. I am truly humbled and want to thank KPHL for giving me the opportunity.”

She was grateful that through the support of KPHL, she was able to pay her final year fees, boarding and lodging, traveling tickets, book allowances and monthly allowances in 2021 and even through her internship programs in 2022.

“It is a privilege and honor to be awarded such a precious sponsorship from such an organization as KPHL and I am really humbled and overjoyed. I truly believe that this company is really helping young Papua New Guineans who are striving to achieve their dreams in life.”

Fiona found herself being grateful for an opportunity she did not see coming, which was more of a blessing than she thought she deserved. She is thankful for her parents and supportive family, and conveyed their thanks to the Management of KPHL through which she received the much needed help in a time when support is scarce.

Having graduated and now looking forward to her future in pharmaceuticals, Fiona wants to remind young people to not take their parents for granted. She encourages the youth of today to not depend on them for everything and make the most of every opportunity that presents itself.

“Understanding your parents struggles is the first part, finding a way to help them is the next. Humility and self-discipline will take you a long way. Be real with every situation in life, and take hold of every opportunity that comes your way. Sometimes our education won’t put food on our table right away but it’s your hobbies and the simple things you love doing. In life it’s the simple things that matters.”

Fiona can be an example to many who look for free handouts or wait for things to happen to them. She is one that is grateful for her opportunity, whether big or small and has made the most of it. Giving thanks to KPHL is one message she wanted to share aside from her own story of supporting her parents because it is companies like KPHL that give people like her the first foot in the door.

She is proof that hard work gets what you want in life and is a great ambassador of KPHL’s positive stories in successful backing and sponsorship, she will continue to do what she loves and work towards building her career as she enters the market as a successful graduate.