‘I Want to do Farming All The Way’
Farming was the only source of income which helped Maciu Goneva finish his primary and secondary school education and helped sustain his family.
And the same sector that helped him all those years is the one he hopes to remain in and build his career on.
Mr Goneva was among 616 Fiji National University students from the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry who graduated during a ceremony at Novotel Suva Lami Bay Convention Centre yesterday.
He attained a Trade Diploma in Agriculture.
The man from Natawa Village, Vaturu, Nadi, said since his childhood, the only source of income for him and his family was through cassava, dalo and yaqona farming.
“Back home we all live on the income that comes from our farm of which the products we sell to market vendors,” Mr Goneva said.
“My family and I had faced a lot of financial problems in the past and we currently still do which is why I took up the course to help my parents in our farm and have a better job to cater for their expenses.
“I want to take the burden off from my parents’ shoulders so they can enjoy their life instead of doing hard work in the rain or sun,” Mr Goneva said.
He said he had no hope in getting a tertiary education until he applied for Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) and was awarded the scholarship.
“Getting the scholarship was like a miracle happening to me because I had no hope of getting a tertiary education for myself due to our financial status,” he said,
“But I am thankful to God, my family and TELS which is why I am here proudly standing with my diploma.”
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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