An SME (Small Medium Entreprise) owned by a Papua New Guinean female entrepreneur has joined the family of Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG as sponsor of a contestant.
The corporate apparel and fashion wear company, After Dark Fashions is the sponsor of twenty six year old Rachael Ezekiel from Markham in Morobe Province.
Rachael Ezekiel grew up in a typical PNG village where women are regarded of low status and education is a challenge for a rural PNG girl. She studied her way from Markham valley to Pacific Adventist University near Port Moresby.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Degree in Accounting and Management in 2015 and is now a Graduate Management Trainee with a Port Moresby based company.
“I have come this far and continue to learn more, and aspire to gain a postgraduate degree and serve in a position of influence,” she said.
Rachael said her biggest achievement so far is the establishment of a student association called ASAM in her home (Markham) district where more than 400 students from primary schools to tertiary institutions come together and empower each other to pursue education whilst maintaining their relationship with God and understanding their duty to the community.
She said, “ASAM has become the driving force in motivating youths of the Markham district to pursue education. This association is giving hope to many young people and helping them to see the value of education.
Since launching of ASAM, there is an increase in our number of students going into tertiary institutions and I am proud to be one of the founding members of ASAM. I am very passionate about education because I believe its real impact is to “help someone help themselves”. I believe education is the Key to addressing most issues that affect the attitudes and lifestyles of Papua New Guineans.”
She said she is honoured to be given the opportunity by her sponsor After Dark Fashions to support high achieving young women to complete their tertiary education through the MPIP PNG Scholarship Fund.
The company Kabaka Limited, trading as After Dark Fashions is a 100 per cent PNG company owned by Ms Kathleen Ipi Johnson and her family who hail from Central province. The company which began in 2006 provides corporate and school uniforms, safety wear, and a wide range of apparel products including promotional merchandise.
Ms Johnson said After Dark Fashions business is based on integrity and relationships developed with customers over many years.
“We value integrity and respect our relationships with our customers and communities where we work in. Supporting Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG is just another step in forging stronger ties,” Ms Johnson said.
“We believe in the cause that the Pageant stands for and we also believe in the concept – women empowering women. The Pageant is developing future women leaders and through its Scholarship Fund, it is assisting many young women to fulfill their dreams. After Dark Fashions is proud to be part of this powerful platform through the sponsorship of Miss Ezekiel.”
Chairperson of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant PNG, Mrs Molly O’Rourke thanked Miss Ezekiel and After Dark Fashions for their support this year.
“This is a win-win partnership between MPIP PNG and After Dark Fashions. It’s very encouraging to see an SME owned by a woman, giving back to the community through the Pageant,” she said.
Miss Ezekiel’s wardrobe will be designed by TABU (Mrs Tabu Warupi).
