BY ESTHER NURIA
SOME people might think that being physically disabled will stop them from getting anywhere or being left out in a society.
This week, Solomon Women Newspaper has managed to feature one of the aspiring and ambitious leaders in Solomon Islands, Ms. Diana Ma’ahoro, who is 33-years of age from the Malaita province who has inspired both local and foreign nationals.
When the paper met up with her, she talked about her background and what she love to do.
Diana said she love playing sports such as soft boot, power lifting and soccer. Not only that she also love to socialize and meeting new people, especially those living in communities.
“People who I come to know in communities have treated me like a normal person. And boys too they even respect me,” Diana said.
She said that she had completed her education in primary level, and had not managed to make it further because of her vocal disability; and with her current state, she would not continue on with her education but stayed back at home doing house work. Years later, she managed to enroll to attend the World Youth Program Day under Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).
“When I joined YWCA’s Women in Leadership Course it changes me to believe and have confidence in myself, because during that time I was the first girl who joined the course with disability. And in 2011 Diana had become the Facilitator for YWCA in coordinating peer educational programs to communities.
However when Diana was working as a facilitator at YWCA, she was invited to attend the Young Women in Leadership; a month long leadership course in Oregon, USA with global NGO Mobility International. This experience was a life changing experience for her when she had the opportunity to meet and learn from women with disabilities all around the world.
“With the program I went to attend in USA, it has shaped me more to show to people that I can do something, even though I am disable” she said.
Apart from her work at WYCA, Diana has formed a youth community known as Mbokonavera Four (MB4) Community Youth. Where she gathered all youths living around the Mbokonavera four area and mentor them on community youth works and how they can start small businesses to earn income.
“With the experiences I have with my group (MB4 Youths), I find it very challenging and difficult to keep them in the first three years. Because in my state once I talked to them and they don’t listen to me, I will then break down into tears,” said Diana emotionally.
But with all the challenges Diana faced she never backs down.
“With believe that I have in myself, if something comes my way, it just gives me more strength to move forward. While apart from all the programs and community work Diana does, the paper came across that Diana has also managed a small business, known as (DJZ) where she made handicrafts such as lava lavas and food covers.
“I started this business last year, when I joined a business essay competition with other two disable girls, where we wrote 2000 words essay each. And I was so fortunate, and won the competition $1000 grants. Diana then therefore encourages young people to at least do something marketable, it’s ‘best’ Diana stressed.
“I suggest you young people to do something marketable, yes I know sometimes things can be challenging, but never back down but keep on striving.”
Amazingly Diana said you can start your own business with a dollar and when you earn a cent upon that one dollar that is a profit.
