It is another year again where young women compete in the pageant to be cultural ambassadors of Papua New Guinea ,with one finalist representing our country at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant that will be held in Fiji in December.
In addition to new contestants, the MPIP committee has also taken on board new members.
Although the chair of the MPIP PNG committee Molly O’Rourke was not able to attend the launch, her deputy Emma Waiwai, who delivered Mrs O’Rourke’s speech, said it has been challenging to host the pageant.
“It’s not easy to continuously run the various pageant programs year in and year out especially when the organisation is run by volunteers.
“But it goes to show what partnerships and support from people like you all standing here can do to make things happen and happen successfully.
“2016 was a challenging year as I know it took a lot of convincing to get many of you on board.
“But we as a committee are satisfied that we achieved another successful year on the domestic front,” she said.
Ms Waiwai thanked everyone especially outgoing chair Katherine Johnston for her contribution to the work of MPIP, including committee members Elsie Boga and Christine Aiwa, who is a former Miss Papua New Guinea.
With funds raised in 2016, 41 young women were able to complete their tertiary education.
“We supported 41 girls at various tertiary institutions around the country.
“When you read the girls’ stories of the sacrifices they or their parents have to make, then it is definitely fulfilling for us to know that we have helped improve a family’s a future.
“We believe strongly in education as a means to empower young women in PNG.”
(Source: Post Courier 06 April 2017)
