MUSIC LYRICS WAVES
JIU Sarasau said she had done her best to play her part as a mother to see her son’s transition from a boy to a man. Like any parent hoping to see success in their children, Jiu was one of the many proud mothers present at the Fiji Corrections Service new recruits’ graduation ceremony to witness her son take on his new career as a corrections officer.
The proud mum said she couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift.
Apenai Koroiwasa was among 36 new recruits who graduated from the service academy a week ago.
Jiu said she was on top of the world after her son spent a tough and gruelling 14-week training and passed. She said she believed it was a calling.
“My husband Tuni Sarasau and I are glad that our son was able to endure the 14-week training and even though it was tough we knew he would go through it,” Jiu said.
A former 2019 deputy head boy of Lelean Memorial School, Apenai, 19, hails from Buliya, Ono, Kadavu. He attended Natusara Primary School on Ono in Kadavu and had always wanted to be a teacher.
Later on in his school days he fell in love with technical drawing, but COVID-19 altered his course.
“Our son had other dreams, but we are glad and content he chose to serve the nation.
“Abbe, as his family members commonly call him, was brought up in the village and knew first-hand of the hardship faced in the village life.
“Every parent in the village sends their children for better education in Suva and that too was for Abbe and we are happy for him.”
She said they had a daughter and two sons.
“Our eldest son is a missionary and our daughter will be in Year 9 at Suva Muslim School this year.
Jui said Abbe had since been posted to Levuka Corrections Centre for his first call of duty.
“It was emotional seeing my son passing-out with flying colours and even though we were not able to travel with him to Levuka, one day we will visit him.
“We did not spend Christmas and the New Year with him, but our hearts are with him always, I’m especially proud as his mum for the amazing Christmas present, which was for him to fulfil his career.
“We thought Abbe would become an architect because he was good in technical drawing during his school days, but this is what it is and we both appreciate it.
“It has been a challenge supporting his education. Sometimes my husband and I would go out fishing and sell our catch to middlemen to support my son’s education, but now it has paid off.
“I also acknowledge other relatives who supported him while he was in high school in Suva.”
The family believes that despite missing out on a career as a schoolteacher it was God’s plan that prevailed.
We did not spend Christmas and the New Year with him, but our hearts are with him always. I’m especially proud as his mum for the amazing Christmas present, which was for him to fulfil his career – Jiu Sarasau –