BY MIKE TUA
TWO Papua New Guineans married in the Solomon Islands have shared their heartfelt message to their country of birth, as they honor PNG’s 47th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations in Honiara on Saturday.
The duo mothers, Mrs. Judith Siota and Mrs. Mabata Heni Rubosa were both married to the country in the early 80s. Both said although they left their country of origin and have lived and raised families here, they appreciate and felt the power of the celebrations to mark this year’s PNG 47th Independence Anniversary.
Mrs. Mabata Heni Rubosa who is from Pari Village in Central Province, Papua New Guinea told Sunday Isles that she is honored and proud to join other Papua New Guineans who have also married and settled in the Solomon Islands.
“I am very honored to celebrate this 47th PNG Independence Anniversary because it is the only day that I feel that I am back home in Papua New Guinea.
“With all my other wantoks here, we always treat each other as family, so a full year, when we are not together as soon as it’s September 16, we are all excited – so yeah very honored,” said Mrs. Rubosa, who is married to Malaita province in the country.
She also shared her happy independence greetings to his big brother in Port Moresby, Bougainville, sisters in Australia, and everyone in PNG.
Sharing similar sentiments, Mrs. Judith Siota, who is married to Isabel province said that being a Papua New Guinean and celebrating this year’s 47th Independence Anniversary of Papua New Guinea means a lot for her and her children.
“To celebrate the 47th Independence Anniversary of Papua New Guinea with so many Papua New Guineans who have settled in the Solomon Islands is truly something worth celebrating today.
“This important occasion is a wonderful privilege for me to share my greetings to fellow Papua New Guineans and a way to strengthen our love and care for one another with a warm heart.
“I also want to start by thanking the members of the PNG/Solomon Islands community for reminding us yet again of the strength of our traditions, values, and ideals and why they will always remain at the center of our heart and life as Papua New Guineans living here,” said Mrs. Judith Siota, who is from Dogura Village in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
