It takes a lot to be fierce and bold about what you believe in, especially when you’re a role model and representing your country.
This was the response from Miss Pacific Islands Leoshina Mercy Kariha regarding a recent Facebook post that went viral for all the wrong reasons.
It was one of those posts that unexpectedly makes an unfortunate individual Facebook famous.
Following the crowning of Leoshina Mercy Kariha as Miss PNG last month, a fellow Papua New Guinean updated her Facebook status with a discriminatory post, questioning Kariha’s win and likening her to an animal.
Though the post gave rise to widespread violent backlash, Kariha proved to be the bigger person and held her silence until she was asked for a response by the media.
“It would be a reflection of yourself to post something like that,” said the 18-year-old upon her return to PNG on December 5th.
“So it won’t get to me.”
The young beauty queen is a staunch believer in women empowerment through education.
Her advice is to not let yourself be put down by criticism, but use them as stepping stones to be a success story.
“Use challenges to also build you up and always trust in God,” she said.
“Surround yourself with positive-minded people and though we can’t always avoid negative-minded people, use them as well to challenge yourself to be a better person.”
(Leoshina Mercy Kariha)