Francis Rupeni writes with left foot, completes exam
Despite his physical disability a 35-year-old Matua student of Nabua Secondary School, completed his paper on time by using his left foot to write. Francis Rupeni was born with deformed arms, but nothing stopped him from completing his exams and achieving his goals.
“I am the second eldest in the family of eight children and my father is a farmer,” he said. “My mum has passed away in 2011, which was very emotional moment for me because she was the one who used to look after me.” Mr Rupeni said he finished his Year 12 exams and he found the papers good.
“The exam went good and I pray to God that I clear all my papers because I really worked hard for it from the beginning of the year,” he said.
He said that his brother, Waisea Biligi, was the only person who encouraged him to go to school again.
“15 years ago I left school because my parents did not have enough money to pay for my fees,” said Mr Rupeni.
“I just finished year 11 and from that onwards I was with my dad at home, helping him out.
“So far the challenges I faced this year was choosing between sacrificing to study and going around with friends, but I overcame all the challenges through God’s blessings.” Mr Rupeni said that in future he wanted to move on to tertiary education and get a good job.
“I want to attend Fiji National University and become an architect,” he said.