Raising 10 children as a single mother did not deter Leba Cati from getting them educated.

Her husband left them several years ago.

The proud mother from Fulaga in Lau was filled with tears of joy after her seventh youngest son, Waqabaca Takayawa, was inducted the headboy of Nakasi High School last Friday.

“Today is a proud moment for me as a single mother who had been through so much in life. The day my husband walked out on us was the most devastating moment of my life; I broke down emotionally,” Ms Cati said.

“Everyday I would start thinking about what to feed my children on a daily basis and how to send them to school because I had no financial support. As a single mother with 10 children to look after was a tough challenge, but I never gave up on my children.

“One day in Fulaga, I was sitting down with my children and then I started telling myself that I am the only person who is going to stand up for my children.”

Ms Cati said she started a small business by weaving mats.

She sold them to support her children and send them to school.

“Every Wednesday I would kneel down in prayer and fast for my children; asking God to give them a bright future and to give me the strength everyday to support them.

Ms Cati said it was a blessing to see her children achieving  great things in life with the little she provided them.

“I always tell my children, ‘When you become successful in the future, always remember to look back at your humble beginnings.”

“I encourage single mothers who are facing the similar kind of situation to never give up on their children and always go to God in prayer if they go through tough challenges. There is always a light at the end of every dark tunnel,” she said.

Waqabaca thanked his mother for the struggles she went through in order to provide for him and his siblings.

“I want to thank God for giving me a strong mother. I had never seen such a strong woman in my life. She is always there for us in every challenge we face in life and every success we accomplished is because of her.

“This role comes with responsibilities and I am willing to work together with my deputies and teachers in seeing that the school is taken to another standard at the end of this year,” he said.

Waqabaca also thanked his teachers and school mates for having faith in him.

Edited by Filipe Naigulevu

Feedback:  arieta.vakasukawaqa@fijisun.com.fj