In the lead up to the 2023 Canberra Times Marathon Festival, we are profiling some of the runners on the Friends of Femili PNG team. Our first runner is Kingtau Mambon.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Last year, I was awarded a scholarship through the ANU-UPNG partnership to study at the Australian National University. I am now a student at ANU in the Crawford School of Public Policy. Prior to starting my studies here, I worked as a tutor at the University of Papua New Guinea in PNG’s capital city, Port Moresby.
My hobbies include reading crime thrillers and doing volunteer work – particularly for non-profit community projects that aim to make society a better place for everyone. My friends sometimes say I’m an introvert, but I find myself enjoying talking to other people most of the time.
How are your studies at ANU going?
I’m studying a Master of International and Development Economics. I find the program rewarding as it provides in-depth tools to understand economics and how to apply them in the real world – with a strong focus on developing countries. My lecturers are very supportive of my learning, and I’m enjoying learning from my friends from other countries as well. I’m looking forward to completing my studies and returning home to PNG.
I know this is your second year running with us at the Canberra Times Marathon Festival. How did you become involved with Friends of Femili PNG?
I learned about Femili PNG from my colleagues back in Papua New Guinea. I got involved last year, when Stephen (Howes; Chair of Femili PNG) emailed me asking if I was interested in participating in the Canberra Times Marathon to raise funds for Femili PNG. With enthusiasm, I got involved and am now becoming a big fan of running for Femili PNG.
Do you have anybody running with you, or cheering you on?
I am running together with some PNG students studying here at ANU, and I will be my own big cheerleader, haha.
Apart from that, I have reached my fundraising target ahead of time and have even exceeded my goal – for which I am very grateful to all my sponsors.
To sponsor Kingtau’s run and help him raise funds for survivors of family and sexual violence in Papua New Guinea, visit his fundraising page.