Leaving school at 16 was something Ana Sigaloloma of Nawailevu in Bua never dreamt would happen to her.

She left school two years ago while she was still in Form Three at Lekutu Secondary School in Bua.

Now she has enrolled as a Carpentry and Joinery student at the Ratu Epeli Ravoka Technical College in Nawaca.

She said she was forced to stay home, because she usually suffered from migraines which made miss her most of her classes.

“Sometimes I would be absent for three days in a week because of this, so I asked my parents if I could say home for a few months,” Ms Sigaloloma said.

“I ended up staying in the village for a whole year and I just knew that village life was not for me, so when I heard about this college I enrolled myself.”

She said while growing up, her dream in life was to be one of the best nurses in the country.

“I have enjoyed the classes here very much and even though this is not what I had wanted earlier in life but I am happy.”

Ms Sigaloloma’s mother, Mereia Cereti, said she was delighted with her daughter’s performance and eagerness to attend school.

“She is so much better now in terms of her health and her performance in school,” Mrs Cereti said.

“This school has also ensured that we do not have to send our children to Labasa or Suva for further their studies.

“As a parent, I am so thankful to the Government for bringing a college closer to us as it has helped us financially.”

She is one of 10 girls currently enrolled for the Carpentry and Joinery certificate programme at the institution.

Edited by Maraia Vula

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