A proud mother of two yesterday broke down while crossing the stage to receive her degree at the Vodafone Arena in Suva during the University of the South Pacific graduation.

Elenoa Dimate Musuka, of Nawaikama Village in Gau, who graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, said the challenge her husband gave her when she started her studies was more meaningful now.

“When I started school, he drew a mountain for me and explained me that the peak is where I have to reach but the path to the top is not as easy as it looks like,” the 37-year-old said.

“He said there will be breakdowns, unexpected falls and there could be incidents that you just want to quit but don’t.

“He kept saying to me every day to keep pushing hard; keep on going; one day it will be fruitful.

“And here I am, with a degree in my hand and my husband by my side.

“I cannot be more proud today and this is exactly how I will motivate my children to educate them and keep them inspired with our examples.”

She was amongst 1184 other students who graduated with their honours.

The mother of two said education was very important in life whether you got it before marriage, at an early age, after having kids or when you were old; education was important.

“For my family, I decided to continue with my studies although I know I will find it to be difficult to manage house, kids and school at the same time but I never gave up because my husband was there to keep pushing me to work harder.”

Her husband said yesterday he felt as if he was the happiest person on earth to see his wife with a degree after years of struggle and hard work.

Edited by Rusiate Mataika

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