Labasa Muslim College 2015 Dux, Mereani Qanuya had a lot to rejoice for yesterday.
Senior Dux was the prize she won after a year of sacrifice – leaving family members behind to stay with relatives in Savusavu to attend school, and walking two hours daily in the morning to catch the bus to school.
Mereani also praised God for her success.
In addition, she won four other special awards – scoring the highest marks in Chemistry and Agriculture and for being the best student in Biology and Agriculture.
The 18-year-old is from a West coast settlement in Savusavu. Her parents sent her to stay with her grandfather, Apakuku Matei in Lajonia, Labasa, in order for her to attend school.
“Life has been very challenging for me,” she said.
“I lived away from my parents to study in a college where there was a lot of competition.
“I am very grateful to have my grandfather who cooked for me everyday just to make sure that I attend school. I always wake up at 4am to study and have an early breakfast afterwards because I had to walk about two kilometres to attend school”