Guardians Proud of Dux’s Achievement
A couple in their 50s were overjoyed to witness their ward, Shayreen Shweta Chand, scoop the dux award during Ratu Navula College’s 2022 prizegiving ceremony.
“I felt for her as she has been living with us now, I was so happy to see her on top of the world,” said 51-year-old Navitalai Vasu, of Nasauvuku, Moturiki, Lomaiviti.
He and his wife, Veniani Vuniwai, took Shayreen in after their daughter, Vilisi Vasu, who is a close friend of Shayreen brought her home.
Mr Vasu, who is a father of four, said that Shayreen had been through a lot of turmoil since she lost her father, Jeetendra Raghu Nath, when she was in Year six.
Shayreen mother, Floreen Prasad, died at the age of 37 in 2018.
Shayreen moved to reside with her older sister in Nadi. Afterwards, she was taken in by the Department of Social Welfare and placed at the St Tabitha Home in Saweni in Lautoka.
She attended Pt Vishnu Deo Memorial College Year 12.
When she reached the age of 18, she moved out.
Her close friend, Vilisi Vasu, 21, who worked at the home assisted her.
She moved in with Ms Vusa and continued to attend Pt Vishnu Deo Memorial College. However, due to the travelling hassles, she later joined Ratu Navula College.
“She has been with us this year. Understanding what she has endured so far, I told her to call me dad and mum to my wife. We view her just like our very own child and we managed to get her school needs for Year 13,” Mr Vusa said.
Shayreen said the day she entered their home she was able to blend in well.
“I feel proud to see them putting on a smile as my action has brought them happiness and hope. They gave me something I could not do. I have been treated equally in the home,” she said.
“For certain their heart is pretty big. And they can accommodate a lot of things. I am thankful for them.”
Shayreen aspires for a career in business management and is expected to begin studying Management and Information System from the Fiji National University.