I Miss My Mum, Says Top Apprentice

Rokoduru pays tribute to her for inspiring him to succeed

Jolame Rokoduru of Vuci, Tailevu, said yesterday he missed his mother after he received top apprentice awards. Mr Rokoduru, 24, and his family on Thursday commemorated the sixth anniversary of his mother’s death. It’s a yearly ritual when they remember her life. “I miss my mom today. I know if she was here, she would have been the happiest mother of all, but I know she’s in heaven watching me succeed in life,” Mr Rokoduru said. “My mother passed away in 2010 when I was in Year 12. Her death anniversary was on Thursday. I miss her right now, because I was so close to her.” “She was my biggest inspiration and because of her and my father, who played the role of dad and mom, I am at this platform here,” he said. Mr Rokoduru graduated with the Fiji National University best apprenticeship merit and overall best apprenticeship of 2016 award at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre. He was a full time FNU student

pursuing his Trade Degree in Plant Maintenance Engineering, while working for the Fiji Electricity Authority in Tailevu. He said he did face some challenges as he had to set example for his peers, but he was over the moon after graduating with honours. “I am the first in my family to graduate and on top of that I am not able to believe I graduated with honours,” he said. He said his four years of hard work finally came to end.

“It was challenging while trying to cope with my studies in Suva and then go back to Tailevu for work during my holidays, but it was worth it,” Mr Rokoduru said. “I know how I struggled with everything but I am glad my dad was there to support me in everything he could.” Edited by Maraia Vula