Graduates Wanda Kharlukhi and Ikani Fakasiieiki speak to the attendees at BPMH party.

BERKELEY — The annual graduation party at Berkeley Presbyterian Mission Homes was blessed with beautiful weather and began appropriately with a tribute to the late Bill Ng, the former resident manager.
Three graduates were honored on June 6: Hwapyeong Yoo, an elementary school graduate, and two PhDs – Wanda Kharlukhi and Ikani Fakasiieiki. Wanda discussed her long journey to get her degree and was thankful for the support she received at the Mission Homes. She also expressed her gratitude for being this year’s recipient of the Virginia Hadsell Scholarship Award, adding it will go a long way to helping her pay off some of her debt and her ticket home.
Her dissertation focuses on a Christology that is more relevant culturally and locally to the Khasi Church in Northeast India.

Dr. Wanda Kharlukhi discusses her doctoral dissertation.

Meanwhile, Ikani thanked the Mission Homes for providing a safe environment for his son during his studies. He said his dissertation focused on the significance of the Biblical figure of Delilah.
As usual, the annual festivity was a collective effort, with Zira doing the shopping, House A putting up the chairs and tables and Thuya as the head chef and his crew of helpers.
The party provided a chance for the residents to mingle with each other and several members of the board. There were even spirited battles at the ping pong table.