Studying under a kerosene lamp all his life has finally paid off for a 17-year-old Labasa Muslim College student Shivneel Reddy who became his school’s Junior Dux.
“Having no access to electricity or proper water supply is not an excuse for your performance in school,” Shivneel said.
The only child of a struggling family, Shivneel made his parents proud yesterday when he walked up to the school’s podium to collect his award.
Acknowledging his parents, Shivneel thanked them for their sacrifices, despite the daily struggles in life.
His mother Gyan Wati, while wiping away tears, said she was surprised and happy to see her son receive the dux award.
She works as a housegirl to support Shivneel’s education.
Her husband, Krishna Reddy who was a fisherman before, has been staying home for many months due to ill-health.
“Both of us struggled to send Shivneel to school,” Mrs Wati said. “Sometimes we used to cry because we were not in a position to provide the best home, food, clothing and education environment for Shivneel.
“However, he understood our situation and never complained or desired to have what other students had for leisure activities.