Fiji Sun

Veisaci Scoops a Double, Make Parents Proud

His return to tertiary studies after a lapse of two years pays dividends.

- SHRATIKA NAIDU Edited by Naisa Koroi Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj

Returning to study after two years has paid off well for Saimone Rarivi Veisaci. Yesterday, he graduated from the Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) College of Nursing and Health Care Education in Labasa.

On top of that, the 24-year-old, who is originally from Drawa, Cakaudrove Province in Vanua Levu, was the only iTaukei graduate among 92 students who received two special awards – Excellence in Personal and Profession­al Developmen­t, and Leadership.

After completing Year 13 at Natabua High School he joined the Fiji National University Labasa campus to pursue a Bachelor in Science.

“After one year I lost interest and then stayed home for two years helping my siblings and parents,” the third youngest of seven siblings said.

“When I realised that SIT was so close to home, I told my mother that I wanted to become a nurse. She looked at me and said it was better to be different and then she nodded yes.

“I struggled a lot. But, the most important lesson I learn in the three years is that customer service is hard.

“No matter how right you are in your position as a medical profession, you have to agree with your customer meaning patients and their family and make sure they return home happy.

“Today I am a happy man, I am an accomplish­ed son of my parents and useful to my country as a nurse.”

His mother, Merelita Veisaci, a teacher at Waidamudam­u Primary School in Labasa was in tears. She thanked the Lord for helping her son.

His dad, Aminiasi Veisaci, a retired headteache­r was proud that his son had graduated and scooped special awards from a profession mostly dominated by females in the world.

Today I am a happy man, I am an accomplish­ed son of my parents and useful to my country as a nurse. Saimone Rarivi Veisaci Graduate

 ?? Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) College of Nursing and Health Care Education graduates after the graduation at Labasa Civic Centre on December 5, 2018.
Photo: Shratika Naidu Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) College of Nursing and Health Care Education graduates after the graduation at Labasa Civic Centre on December 5, 2018.
 ?? Photo: Shratika Naidu ?? Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) College of Nursing and Health Care Education graduate Saimone Veisaci (middle) with his parents Aminiasi and Merelita Veisaci after the graduation at the Labasa Civic Centre on December 5, 2018.
Photo: Shratika Naidu Sangam Institute of Technology (SIT) College of Nursing and Health Care Education graduate Saimone Veisaci (middle) with his parents Aminiasi and Merelita Veisaci after the graduation at the Labasa Civic Centre on December 5, 2018.

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