Wainiqolo’s Dream-Big Plans Earn Her Duke of Edinburgh Global Award
Two students who left main stream school for Labasa School for Special Education have been awarded bronze medals for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
One of the students, Selai Wainiqolo, said she was proud to be the only one from her family to be recognised in the international award.
“When I finished Year Seven at Nabekavu Primary School my parents were advised to send me to the only special school in Labasa because I don’t have good memory storage,” the 16-year-old of Nabekavu, Labasa said.
“This statement struck me. It has been four years since I am in this special school. However, I am very happy today to note that before the school year ends I managed to get a bronze award.”
The other student is Divek Goundar, also of Labasa School for Special Education.
The eldest of five siblings, aspiring to become a nurse, said she was not afraid to dream big. Meanwhile, Vishal Sami who was among 21 students to receive the silver award said he left Year Eight at Gurunanak Primary School in Labasa because he was told he had low IQ.
“My father, Vijay Sami who was then a labourer at Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa mill moved me to this special school to join automotive engineering classes,” the 18-year-old of Siberia, Labasa said. “I was very embarrassed at the beginning.
“However, after attaining this life skill award I feel confident and will try to become a mechanic soon.” There were 23 awardees. Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DEIA) Fiji national board member Doctor Sitiveni Yanuyanutawa encouraged them to think positive and never be afraid to take risks. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (commonly abbreviated DofE), is a youth awards programme founded in the United Kingdom in 1956 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, that has since expanded to 144 nations.
The awards recognise adolescents and young adults for completing a series of self-improvement exercises modelled on Kurt Hahn’s solution to the “Six Declines of Modern Youth”.