BY JOY OFASIA
TALYN Laukeni was born without both legs. Her parents considered ignoring her physical disability and promised to take the challenge to raise, motivate and allow her to pursue an education.
The young lady is now 22, who dream to become a lawyer and thus refused to give up on life as she is pursuing her form seven University of South Pacific (USP) foundation studies at King George Six National Secondary school.
“My dream is to become a lawyer or have a managerial job in economics.
“The reason is I see individuals who have engage in such professions have done a lot to help contribute to the social development and economy of the country,” said Talyn, the fourth child in a family of five children.
Her journey to pursue education was never easy, especially with her physical status. However, the inspirational young woman from Arabia village in the remote Northern region of Malaita province in the Solomon Islands never let that stop her from continuing with the plans she had with her parents.
Talyn has tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects limb development in the womb.
Solomon Women recently caught up with Talyn, who share her heart-warming story, explaining how she, as a young rural woman had chosen to dedicate her life to education.
“The challenges I faced during my time in the village was with my movements around in the village, I often find it hard to go to far places, but of course, my family was always there to help carrying me around and the rural people in my community have treated me well just like all normal people.
“I live in the village with my parents – who are rural dwellers – but they been very supportive with my educational endeavour.
“Every day for the past two decades, I have been carried to school on my parents back. With their assistance, I’m able to attend my classes.
“Whilst doing my secondary education in Adaua Secondary school (forms 1-6), I was given an opportunity to continue my secondary schooling for free.
“I was later accepted to do my form seven in Aligegeo Secondary school and this year I was transferred to King George Six National Secondary school with the support of Cathy Hite and her husband Rheks Toli and Kylie Travers who made a fundraising to help buy my foundation course books,” Talyn told Solomon Women.
For now, her drive and motivation have made her parents proud, after achieving another milestone in her educational journey.
“I have no option but to believe in myself.
“With that, I am grateful and am very blessed because I had the privilege that there were people who helped and supported me throughout my education journey to reach this far.
“Every day I personally decide to motivate myself, to look beyond the odds and strive for a better tomorrow.
“I love to see myself the same as others and what others can do, I can do it too.
“The only thing is my movements around which slows me down. However, everything else I see is possible to do, and always stay positive to overcome any challenge I might come across,” she said.
She expressed her excitement about growing up and seeing things moving well for her despite being born without both legs.
Meanwhile, she also encouraged others in a similar situation, especially women and girls – who are in school or even not in school in the country to appreciate whatever they have – whether it’s big or little.
“Always be courageous and always stay positive. If you are a student, do not give up your education journey,” she expressed.
Talyn connects herself well with reading books and with people from all works of life.
“Having reached this far, I am very grateful and excited especially in my education journey knowing that I am going on the right path towards my goals and I’m so thankful to all who have believed in me.
“I firstly would like to acknowledge my parents for their help, love, support, and believing in me from the start to do well in my education, and also thank the Talea Education Authority for providing me with free education throughout my secondary level,
“I also want to thank Kylie Travers who helped and supported me in working together with Cathy Hite with the fundraising drive to pay off my course books and also to all who supported me with big and little contributions financially.
“Finally to my guardians – Rheks Toli and Cathy – ‘Tagio Tumas’ (‘Thank you so much’) for believing in me through supporting and providing me with all my needs during my schooling in Honiara.”
