No one knew that a school dropout’s dream to become a nurse would come true. Yesterday it did.

Anasa Tugaga of Qoma, Tailevu, graduated with a Bachelor of Nursing Science during the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam Institute of Technology College of Nursing and Health Care Education at the Civic Centre in Labasa.

The 23-year-old was the only one among 112 graduates to receive three special awards.

He was given the awards for Excellence in Primary Health Care, Excellence in Nursing Knowledge and Overall Academic Excellence.

Mr Tugaga was even surprised with his prize haul.

“I knew that I would graduate with a degree, but never expected to receive three awards,” he said.

“I left in the middle of Year 13 education at Tilak High School in Lautoka because of peer pressure. I later did foundation in science at the Fiji National University because my parents wanted me to study.

“I always wanted to work in the medical field and so my parents supported my nursing education. I had to move to Labasa and stayed at my sister’s house in Naodamu, which was very challenging.

“I thank my parents for their continuous support and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to study and enter into medical field.”

He is the second eldest child in his family.

“My advice to all the school dropouts is to choose education. Study while you can to have a good future,” he said.

His Elenoa Soko, 45, said Mr Tugaga was the naughtiest of four children.

“We always pray to God to help him to become an educated man and today my prayers have been answered,” Mrs Soko, a security officer at the Natokowaqa Methodist Church in Lautoka, said.

She travelled with her husband, Epeli Soko to Lautoka to join their son in his graduation.

Mr Soko, 54, works at Tropik Woods Limited at Drasa, Lautoka.

“I can’t explain to you in words about my joy, but I can say that whatever my son is today, it is because of God’s grace,” Mr Soko said.

The chief guest at the graduation was the head of the European Union Delegation for the Pacific, Ambassador, Andrew Jacobs   Edited by Maikeli Seru

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