Joanne Gobure

Joanne Ekamdeiya Gobure (b. April 26, 1982, in Nauru) is a poet from the Pacific nation of Nauru.

Personal Background

Gobure was born in Denigomodu and settled in a district of Uaboe. Gobure is the cousin of Nauruan tennis player Chris Gobure, who played in the South Pacific Games with Paner Baguga and others. She attended schools of Nibok, Aiwo and Yaren and graduated with the Nauru Junior Certificate.

Professional Background

Since 2003 Gobure has worked mainly as a teacher at Nauru College, at Aiwo. She was employed by the director of the school, Richard Lewis, and by education minister, Baron D. Waqa, as an IT teacher. Although she has not finished college education course, she is studying at the local campus of the University of South Pacific (USP). She mainly provides training to work with Microsoft Office. She additionally works at Nibok Infant School as a teacher.

Poetry

Gobure writes poetry, overwhelmingly in the English language. While most of Gobure's works are little known outside of Nauru, Joanne Gobure's 'A Beautiful Prayer' is a poem which has garnered some attention, particularly because it had been running through several internet forums and Christian websites.

Reputation

In common with some other comtemporary Oceanic writers (e.g., such as Afaese Manoa of Tuvalu), Gobure has the repuation of a writer with a very strong sense of religious vocation.

Link

Text of Joanne Gobure's 'A Beautiful Prayer'

http://www.freemedialibrary.com/index.php/A_Beautiful_Prayer