It takes perseverance and commitment to achieve goals in life and one young woman did just that!
Ethel Heagi was among 91 trainees from the Legal Training Institute in Port Moresby who were admitted to practise law last Friday.
She started the journey 12 years ago but withdrew from her first year of studies at UPNG’s School of Law due to financial difficulties.
The 31-year-old, whose mother is from the Botai clan of Hanuabada village, and father from Guinea-Bissau in West Africa, joined Air Niugini in 2008 as an in-flight safety officer or flight attendant.
She returned to continue her studies at UPNG in 2012, graduating with a law degree in 2016 and proceeded onto the Legal Training Institute, graduating on Feb 23.
Heagi took out five certificates of excellence awards; law practise management, family law practise, judicial review, international corporation to combat crime and conveyancing. She also picked up two special awards; Leadership as well as the Supreme Court Dux.
She attributed her achievement to a very supportive family who drove her to achieve her dream.
“That’s basically been my backbone. My family has always been supportive of me,” said Heagi.
“My mother has been my main driving force; she has been a very independent person. She raised me to also follow in her footsteps and to pursue my dreams no matter what, so I always said I’d return to law school so I did in honour of my parents.”
Her mother, Hitolo Heagi, was a very proud mom last Friday.
“I am the happiest mother in town,” she said.
Her parents separated 16 years ago and despite running into financial difficulties during her first year of studies, she was adamant to go back to school and complete what she started.
She believes that other young Papua New Guinean women can also achieve their dreams.
She thanked the men and women from her Botai clan, as well as the former chairman of the Motu-Koita Council, Miria Ikupu.
“Throughout the course of my study, he has been a great mentor to me and he has also given me support to persevere in my studies and also get admitted.”
She also acknowledged her stepfather for the fatherly role he played but did not forget the Director of the Legal Training Institute, Mrs Pauline Mogish.
“She is a great director but she also plays a greater role on a personal level with each of the trainees, especially the females.”
Heagi said she is passionate about giving back to her community.
“I also did it for the greater community that I’m from so to also encourage the youth in the area where I’m from, especially the Motu-Koitabu area where Hanuabada village is located, so that I can set a good example for the youths and upcoming young women to persevere and also achieve their dreams.
“If I can do it, I believe other Papua New Guinean women can also achieve their dreams.”
Heagi said more women need to be encouraged to take up the profession, like the Chief Justice mentioned during their admittance.
“It’s a very noble profession and I think the increase in gender-based violence in the country is very important that young women aspire to take up the studies of law and also create greater awareness about the role that women have, be equal citizens alongside men in Papua New Guinea.
“To also assist in the cause to not only empower but to also further educate women about their rights to protect each other,” Heagi added.
(Ethel Heagi with her proud mother)