Parents’ Struggle Paves Way for Lusiano’s Success
In 2016, Lusiano Tunaqo thought it would be the end of the road for him after he failed his Year 12 external examinations. So he dropped out of school. In that time, he finally saw the real struggle and what his parents had to endure for him and his siblings on a daily basis. That’s when he decided to try again. This time vocational studies at Montfort Institute of Technologies in Savusavu.
On Saturday, the 20-yearold was in tears as he picked up his award during the prizegiving ceremony, and not just any prize, but the dux award.
“I had seen how much my parents were struggling so I decided to come back to school, but at an institution where I could graduate fast and earn for my family,” the fourth eldest of six siblings said.
“Me graduating from this institution opens the door to many job opportunities and allows me to further my studies in any university of my choice,” he said. Lusiano could not hold back tears as he marched up on stage.
He scooped the top award in a roll of 34 who graduated in three different categories – automotive engineering, building and carpentry, and cabinet making. “This came as a total surprise for me and I am humbled and honoured to have been deemed worthy of this award,” he said.
His mother, Meresiana Tupou, said her son’s achievement also came as a shock to her.
“My husband is a farmer, but does not earn much. I would do masi printing to help out,” she said. “With whatever we could get, we invested in our children’s education. He has seen how much we struggled and requested if he could return to school to help our family.”
Ms Tupou said his achievement was not only icing on the cake for the family, but showed that her son was determined to make good of his life.
Most discpline studentSalesi Tusomo Hardworking studentSunia ataiwasa
Best automotive- Metuisela Tuimoto
Edited by Ranoba Baoa