BY JOY OFASIA
IN the lead-up to this year’s Miss Solomon Islands Pageant 2024 competition, Miss Lauru contestant Ms. Elsie Polosovai is set to raise awareness and drive initiatives that advocate for women’s health in the Solomon Islands.
Ms. Elsie, 22, born to parents from Dara and Vuruleke in Choiseul Province and Bina, West Kwaio in Malaita Province, said she’s proud to represent the interests and promote the welfare of the Lauru people, also known as the Choiseul people.
“First of all, thank you so much to the Lauru People’s Association for having the confidence in me to represent my beautiful homeland, Choiseul province,” she said. “Through my platform, I aim to raise awareness and drive initiatives that advocate for women’s health. In doing so, I hope to contribute to a healthier and more empowered generation of women.”
Elsie, who received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Otago with a Human Nutrition concentration and works as a medical lab technician at Awanui Labs, Dunedin Hospital, stated that she has been actively involved in the creative arts scene in New Zealand for a long time, with a particular emphasis on advocating for the voices of the Melanesian and Pacific regions.
“My involvement in the creative arts field here in New Zealand has been extensive, with a strong focus on advocating for Melanesian and Pacific voices.
“I also held a number of leadership positions in my community, to name a few, being the former Cultural Representative (2022) and Vice President (2023) for the Otago Melanesian Islands Student Association (OMISA).
“Currently, I am the National Melanesian Youth Coordinator for Aotearoa and the Secretary for the University of Otago Pacific Islands Students Association (UOPISA),” she said.
