By Lucy Kopana – EMTV News, Lae
Raylance Mesa is a 24-year-old lass from Morobe, who has been an advocate in conducting climate change awareness for her local Tami Island Community in Morobe.
Using her skills and knowledge in architecture, she has been involved in community projects on the island and was recently named the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman of the year.
On Friday, Miss Mesa graduated from the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUOT), attaining her Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture with merit, and winning the council medal.
An achievement she says she owes to her parents for being her greatest supporters.
“It’s an honor. For me personally with all the awards that I have received, its not only for me, but its for my community, my family and my parents especially.”
Miss. Mesa says her love for drawing and her fascination with building and construction work inspired her to take up architecture.
Aside from studying architecture at Unitech for the past five years, Miss Mesa has been heavily involved in community service at her village on Tami island.
In 2016, Miss. Mesa was named a Sustainable Development Goals Youth Champion for her involvement with her local community, and went on to represent PNG in the United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum
This year, she was given the IBBM young achievers award, and was also named the overall Westpac Outstanding Woman of the Year.
When asked how she managed her time with all her involvement in school, community work and other youth programs, she said, “there is time for everything. There is time for school work, there is time for family, there is time for helping others as well, so basically I take that on. Having little time for everything is enough.”
The 24- year old comes from East New Britain and Morobe, and is the second of three children. Her mother, Jenny Mesa said she is proud that Raylance has used skills taught to her at home to help others.
“After she involved herself in community work, she even tried her best in academic work and she finished at the top so I’m proud of that.”
Raylance said different people have different talents, skills and passion, that they can use to help others with as well.
“If you want to achieve what you want to achieve, you can do it like I’ve done it. It may not be simple, but there is a way through.”
