For a young boy to leave his family at the age of 14 and seek further education abroad is a big sacrifice to make.

Five years ago Ruel Grayven left his family in the Solomon Islands to attend the Islamic Institute in Drasa, Lautoka.

Now at the age of 19 he was badged as the headboy of Kamil Muslim College in Ba.

“Even though it is not easy being away from my family, especially my mother who is my main inspira­tion.

“I’ve always strived to keep focus on my school work,” he said.

“I miss home, my family and friends. I have somehow got used to being away from them, but there are times when I feel for their pres­ence and now is such a time.

“The school saw potential in me and I will do my best to lead my peers by example. This is one of the proudest moments in my life know­ing that I hail from a different coun­try. I know my family will be very proud of this achievement as well.

“My mother is one person I miss the most for she has always guided me through all life’s challenges giv­ing me advice on how to be a better person.”

He aspires to become a civil engi­neer.

His main objective as head prefect will be to work with fellow students to help bring a healthy working school environment.

School headgirl Mela Laveti dedi­cates her achievement to her father Isireli Laveti, who has been work­ing for a private security company in Iraq for the past 11 years.

“Although sometimes he will not be able to share such achievements like this with me I know he is mak­ing sacrifices to cater for me and my mother,” Laveti said.

“He deserves to get credit for this, because what I have learnt from him is that sometimes we have to work hard and make sacrifice for there will always be rewards.

Laveti studies art subjects and aspires to be a Human Resource Of­ficer.

A total of 80 students were induct­ed.

Edited by Percy Kean