Fiji Sun

Graduate Wants to Help People With Disabiliti­es

- SHRATIKA NAIDU Feedback: Edited by Percy Kean shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) graduate Elenoa Kaisau wants to help people with disabiliti­es.

After the APTC graduation ceremony in Labasa yesterday Ms Kaisau, who carries a physical disability, revealed her aim.

The eldest of eight siblings recalled when she fell from a mango tree in 1997 and suffered physical impairment in her right leg.

The 34-year-old lass, originally from Vaturova in Cakaudrove province, said she had to leave Year Nine to recover from her injury.

“I then had to use a crutch to walk,” Ms Kaisau said.

After completing her secondary school education, she entered the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus to pursuing a Bachelor in Computing Science. “Looking at my disability, my friends questioned me as to how I got enrolled into USP.

“Their statement and attitude struck me and made me look for work experience in the disability sector. “That is how I started attending lot of workshops on disability and started helping in the Fiji National

After the APTC graduation ceremony in Labasa yesterday Ms Kaisau, who carries a physical disability, revealed her aim.

Council for Disabled Persons centre in Labasa.

“Later I joined APTC to complete my Certificat­e IV in Disability course.” She has encouraged parents who have children with disabiliti­es to bring them to the centre so they could be helped.

“Disabled persons can do much better than an ordinary person if they believe in themselves,” Ms Kaisau said.

Her parents Maria Wai, 60, and Toma Dogovere ,62, who are yaqona farmers were very proud of their daughter for being brave not giving up hope.

 ?? Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? Elenoa Kaisau with Certificat­e IV in Disability accompanie­d by her parents Maria Wai and Toma Dogovere after the Australia Pacific Technical College graduation at the Friendly North Inn in Labasa on May 24, 2018.
Photo: Shratika Naidu Elenoa Kaisau with Certificat­e IV in Disability accompanie­d by her parents Maria Wai and Toma Dogovere after the Australia Pacific Technical College graduation at the Friendly North Inn in Labasa on May 24, 2018.

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