Suzanne Moli Orudiana is a founding member of Information Technology Society Solomon Islands (ITSSI) and the Women in IT Solomon Islands (WITSI). She worked in the ICT Industry for more than 19 years and currently runs her own consultancy firm, Intellectual Solutions Solomon Islands (ISSI).The first female Solomon Islander to graduate with a Degree in Computer Science from UNITECH, Papua New Guinea.
1996 – Final year in High School
My journey began in Form 6 at Selwyn College National Secondary School. 1996 was the year I decided to pursue the Science stream instead of Arts. Although I really loved Business Studies, the thought of “endless” essay writing for History and Geography class, made me give up on Arts and besides apart from Mathematics, I really loved Physics as well.
This was the year to prepare for the next part of the journey after high school, Tertiary studies. Our Form 6 Chemistry teacher, the late Mr. Ellison Giano, was also our Careers master. One day, he called us over to look at the list of courses that we could potentially study the following year. My favorite subject was Business studies related, but by then I was already a Science student. The alternative course of study on my mind was psychology. I was always intrigued with how the mind worked. How and why, we human beings behaved in certain ways. I searched for that, but could not find that course in the list provided. So I started by eliminating the career paths that I did not wish to pursue. Such as becoming a doctor or pilot. I was not confident in putting people’s lives in my hands. Plus, I was scared of heights and dead bodies.
And agriculture was not my thing. I was not good with hard physical labour outdoors. This was evident during the work sessions at Selwyn College. Which I believe was the reason they made some of us librarians, to clean the library, toilets, and catalogue new books. I loved that job, as we get to be the first ones to read all the new comic books, detective series books and so on, after cataloging. With all those careers filtered out, my eye caught the word “Computing”. Naive as I was then, I pictured someone working in an office, like a typist, typing away on some kind of a machine with those keyboards. I thought this was cool. So there I was finalizing what I wanted to do in life. Not long after, we were called for an interview at KG6 National Secondary School. Things rapidly progressed from there. From filling in the application form to receiving the wonderful news that my application was successful. I was admitted to study Computer Science at UNITECH, Lae, Papua New Guinea. I remember hearing the news before sitting the Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) exams. Later on, I learnt that we were the last group to enter into university straight after Form 6.
1997 – First Year in University and becoming a woman
Year 1997 came; it was time to sort out the traveling arrangements. My parents were living in Malaita Province. I travelled to Honiara and stayed at one of my best friend’s house. There I was able to sort out my travel documents, medical checks and police clearance. At the time, my friend’s mum was the Executive Secretary at DBSI and she asked me what I was going to study at university. I told her, a Computer related degree. It piqued her curiosity and she persisted by asking what kind of job I would eventually do or what the degree was about. I innocently responded, “Maybe a job like a typist”. She was bemused but hinted that since I was pursuing a degree, she believed it was going to be something much more than that.
With all the formalities completed, it was time to travel and begin my first year at UNITECH. I was not afraid of the fact that I had no idea what I was studying. All I knew was that the programme included the subjects I loved, which were Mathematics and Physics.
It was my first time to travel overseas alone without my family. As the plane taxied along the runway at the old Henderson International Airport, now the domestic airport, I looked out of the window and saw behind the stretched fence, my dad and my youngest brother, waving at the plane. My heart sank deeply. For the first time after all the excitement, tears rolled down my face as I sobbed uncontrollably.
It was at that moment that I promised myself, I would complete my studies and make my family proud. I was determined not to let anything get between me and my goal. Not even boys! I was done with having boyfriends although I knew that my ex-boyfriend was also going to be at UNITECH studying Civil Engineering. But that would not be a problem for me, or so I thought. Because I was determined to focus on my studies with no distractions.
The first dilemma came as soon as we landed at the Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby. I was told that my luggage had been offloaded and did not make it on the same flight. I only had my carry on which was my school bag and the clothes I wore that day. As soon as we arrived in Lae, I had to purchase new clothes. My luggage finally arrived mid-Semester, the locks broken with only some of my old clothes and Bible intact.
But as I was settling in - I was unprepared for another distraction; my ex-boyfriend because we soon rekindled the relationship.
My first day in class, the head of Mathematics and Computer Science, the late Professor Ted Phythian (may his beautiful soul rest in peace), gave out a questionnaire to gauge everyone’s background knowledge on Computers. I gave him back the sheet. He looked at me and said, “I don’t know why you are taking this course, Suzanne”. I had answered “no” to all the questions.
He can be frank with his words but also a kind, gentle and understanding old English man. His words did not bother me because I was the embodiment of the “I could do it” mentality since High School. Call me naive, but for every ounce of naivety I made up for it in confidence and the knowledge that I was passionate about learning.
Along with the challenges of studies and the distraction from my boyfriend, the Sandline Operation ‘Rausim Friend’ in PNG was also at its peak. I will never forget how fearful I was when the PNG Defense Force crashed through the university gates with their guns.
Not long after the June holidays of that first year, I became pregnant. I was scared and didn’t know how to tell my parents. That Christmas we went home to the Solomons for the break on the understanding that we will not tell our parents about the pregnancy.
From a high school and first year University girl, I progressed quickly into womanhood and an expectant mother.
1998 – Second year in University, birth of my son, marriage
I went back to school after the holidays without telling my parents about the pregnancy. Although at times I suspected my mother knew.
Settling in back at school, I decided to write a letter to my parents. It was gut-wrenching, a heartfelt confession that I was 5 months pregnant. They took their time in replying. Finally after an anxious wait, I received a letter.
In their letter, they never admitted that they were heart broken. In fact, it was a very beautiful letter saying that they were glad I was brave enough to inform them. And that I should continue to concentrate on my studies.
They proceeded with the traditional custom marriage arrangements, while waiting for us to get back home for the church wedding ceremony. I later found out that my dad read my letter first. He was crying when my mum entered their room. They both cried.
Life as a pregnant mom-to-be was overwhelming because I had to bear the burden of learning programming languages, calculus and other courses in my programme. I was also guilt-ridden with the shame that I felt I had brought on my family. But there was no turning back - I had to forge on ahead. I was not going to let my family down because the image of my dad and younger brother waving goodbye on my first journey to PNG was still raw and fresh on my mind. I made a promise that day and I intended to keep it.
June ended with the arrival of my son at the Angau Hospital in Lae. In an isolated delivery room, I remembered feeling so lonely, quietly sobbing and calling out to my mother at the onset of each contraction. So far from home with no communication, because there were no mobile phones. But an incredible sense of joy swept over me when the doctor told me that I had given birth to a boy.
My now husband, (since a bride price was paid when we broke the news to both our parents), was not allowed to enter the hospital gates. He was scolded at the front gate and had to prove to the hospital security guards that he was indeed the father, waiting for the birth of our son. It was hilarious but he was tiny and had come with a friend to the hospital. And they assumed the friend was the father. Nobody believed that my husband was indeed the father of the newborn.
As you may recall from the beginning, that ex-boyfriend whom I rekindled that relationship with in my first year at University. He was the same boyfriend from high school who had became my husband. With a baby on board, we both found our studies becoming increasingly difficult because there was no one to help us look after our baby. We decided to take turns going to classes. We were alternating depending on our timetables. When one went to class the other stayed home and looked after the baby. I ended up being the one who missed a lot of classes.
Noel, my husband was in his 3rd year in Civil Engineering, and as weeks and months progressed, we could no longer cope. Noel, informed his father about our dilemma. His father reassured him and offered that they will take care of our baby.
We started sorting out travel documents for the baby through the University Student Services. But it took so long for the travel documents to be ready. So I made a bold decision to travel with our son who had no travel documents from Lae to Port Moresby. I realized that the prospect of completing my studies now looked very bleak and I was becoming desperate. As you might have guessed, with no travel documents for the baby, Air Niugini refused to let us board the flight to Honiara. We were stranded in Port Moresby.
Taking a leap of Faith to board the flight without baby's travel documents.
With no mobile phones for instant communication, my husband and our families had no idea that I was stranded in POM with our baby. They only knew that I never boarded the flight from POM to Honiara, and had no idea if we were safe. All along, my family thought that I had already received the traveling documents, when I announced, our traveling dates.
Trying to figure something out, I spoke about my situation to a very kind hearted, beautiful lady who was working at the Air New Guinea airlines. She immediately got in touch with Solomon Islanders studying at UPNG. A home was arranged for myself and baby. Emma Garo, a Solomon Islands law student at UPNG, whole heartedly offered to help out and assisted by fast-tracking the travel documents, through her many visits to the Immigration office. Back then Solomon Islands did not have a High Commissions office in Port Moresby. We were so relieved when we finally got the travel documents. I will forever be indebted to those who helped me through the weeks we were stranded in POM.
As soon as we arrived at our final destination in Malaita, Solomon Islands, my dad quickly sorted out my traveling expenses to send me back to UNITECH immediately.
My gratitude and heartfelt thanks to late Agnes Neuwa, a Fijian lady and her husband late Noel Neuwa from Temotu Province. They coordinated with my in-laws for my swift travel between PNG and Solomon Islands. May their beautiful souls rest in peace in the Heavenly Kingdom.
When I returned to school it was already mid-semester in September 1998. I was so fortunate that the head of the department, late Professor Ted Phythian, and the lecturers gave me new time frames to complete my backlog of studies and recreated tests and assignments which I’ve missed. At the same time I had to continue with the current workload of projects, assignments and tests before exams.
This was Computer Science in the 1990s when it was very new to us Solomon Islanders. Definitely not an easy ride. Some of my friends even suggested that I withdraw, so that I can repeat the Semester, the following year. I thought to myself, that it was not the fault of the authorities that sponsored my education. I have to sacrifice. This commitment drove me to do my best. I never doubted my capabilities, and I always had that positive mindset that nothing was impossible.
1999 – Third year in University, loneliness
First Semester of my third year was the loneliest as I traveled back to school without my husband and son. Luckily my father in-law had a phone in his home. But my husband who at that time was doing his practical was in Malaita. And most times he stayed on the construction site at the Eastern roads of Malaita. The only time we could talk was when he was in Auki. I would make the trip to Lae city and use the phone booths there to call back home.
When the second semester resumed, I was happy to have my husband back at school with me. I needed his support, especially in moments when I missed our son. Who was with his grandparents back in Solomon Islands.
2000 – Final Year in University, and Height of the Ethnic Tension in our Beloved Solomon Islands.
Final year. After the holidays, I arrived back at school devastated to see the Mathematics and Computer Science building burnt to the ground. We were relieved to hear that studies would still continue. We used other classes from other buildings during our final year. The top floor of the Electronics Course Department, became the Computer Science admin office and computer lab. We, the final year students, were then tasked to rebuild our computer lab. It was an exciting project, and that experience really did assist my confidence, in my first year of employment.
During that time, our beloved country, Solomon Islands experienced its worst time ever; at the height of the ‘ethnic tension’. Although it was not safe to travel back home, I really missed my son. As soon as Semester 1 exams were over I didn’t waste any more time and traveled back home, to visit my son.
Soon after my arrival, Air New Guinea closed down their schedules to Solomon Islands for an indefinite period. So again I was stranded. This time, it was in Honiara.
After much dialogue with authorities, they agreed to send me back to school via Brisbane. By now, I was used to catching up on my back log of school work and the current workload. And I realized something significant. With the challenges I brought to myself, I had doubled the workload and had to double my effort to get through the year. At the end of the exams, a great feeling of accomplishment overwhelmed me. Not only did I complete my studies, but I had become a woman and a mother.
March 2001 – Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Year 2001 came, and although we could not attend our graduation in March, my husband and I were satisfied to graduate in absentia. Some of our friends jokingly said that we graduated with two certificates; Our degrees and a Marriage certificate.
The valuable lessons, I learnt from my experience are:
- “Believe in yourself, that you can do anything you wish to achieve, regardless of whatever the situation maybe. Challenges are difficult but you can remain committed to your goals.”
- “Never let others’ opinions and doubts suppress your capabilities. Apart from God, you know yourself better than anyone else”.
- “Each time you fall, get back up, refocus and move on.”
It was a joyous and fulfilling moment for me, after facing the challenges I never expected to go through.
This part of my story sets the scene for the next which will be the perspective of a woman finding her feet in the ICT industry.
I thank the Lord above for being in the midst of all my challenges.
And to my supportive husband, family and in-laws for being there, all throughout.
Not forgetting, everyone who has shown and given support throughout my journey.