Mum My Motivation: Tuiwai Tells
When Jone Tuiwai’s father passed away in 2005, he knew he had greater responsibilities on his shoulders. He was only in class three then. On Friday, Mereoni Vakaoca Tuiwai was a proud mother when she witnessed her son graduate with his Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the Fiji National University.
Mr Tuiwai, 23, was among the 17 students that graduated with their bachelor’s degree at the graduation ceremony held at the Suva Civic Centre on Friday, January 16, 2021.
“There were times I had felt like throwing in the towel, but it was during these moments I was reminded of who I was studying hard for,” Mr Tuiwai said.
“Five years of study was a long time. There were lots of exams and clinical requirements we needed to fulfil, and we were in a spot where we had to decide whether we had to give up now or keep on striving,” he said. Mr Tuiwai said his mother’s struggles in raising him and his siblings was his motivating factor.
“I made sacrifices; I was awake studying when everyone else was asleep at night.
“Seeing my mum’s face everyday struggling gave me the urge to push through with my education.”
He acknowledged the support of his extended family and all those that played a part in his success. “When I lost my father, my younger siblings were still toddlers.
“My mom struggled in raising us. My Dad was a Pastor and there was not much that he left behind.
“I had to set an example growing up because my siblings were looking up to me.
“I thank my aunt and uncle in the United States who were supporting us to reach our potential and goals.
He said they started with 47 students in year one but only 17 students graduated yesterday.
To my fellow youths: “Talk to God when things are tough because he is always waiting to hear from you, be obedient to your parents, and remember not to underestimate anyone. You are the master of your own destiny and you are destined for success.”