Honesty and good values are instilled at home. This was shown by Nasinu Muslim College students Nereo Seruliwaliwa and Waisea Nabobo when they returned a lost purse, containing more than $1000, to its owner.

This honest deed saw the two students making it into the Fiji Sun’s Top 10 people of 2019. They also became poster boys for the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Yesterday, Nereo and Waisea had another achievement tagged to their success story.

They were badged as school prefects for 2020. The teachers at Nasinu Muslim College are ever so proud of the good values they have set for other students at the school.

Nereo and Waisea were returning from an internet shop when Nereo noticed a purse lying near the bus stop along Kings Road in Nakasi. The two boys did not hesitate in their decision to contact the owner, whose details were in the purse.

Both said they were always taught at home to walk the path of righteousness.

Waisea, who hails from Naitasiri, said this was a message relayed by all religions.

“It is written in the Bible that money can tempt people to steal and stealing is a sin. God even made it one of the Commandments,” he said.

“I want to thank my parents for teaching me good values and for showing me the right path.”

He said he would feel bad if he found students stealing or breaking school rules.

“This would mean that I, as a school prefect, did not do my part to share good values onto my colleagues,” he said.

Waisea said his teachers always told him that he should join become a Police officer after he portrayed honesty by returning the purse last year.

Nereo, who is from Navatuyaba in Togo, Rewa, said it was important to think twice before taking a wrong step.

“All I can say is God is watching and I am glad that he has chosen me to lead students for them to follow the right path,” he said.

The two boys are also cousins from their maternal side. Waisea and Nereo had hoped that their parents were present to see them get their badges.

Waisea’s parents are in New Zealand while Nereo’s parents, who are farmers, were unable to attend because they were at the village.

Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar said the poster boys of honesty had made the school and the ministry proud and it was her pleasure coming to an institution of such a high calibre.

“People get tempted to find a large sum of money, but I am glad the good examples the school has set for the students and I would like to congratulate the boys. I hope the students will follow the steps of honesty,” she said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  shreeya.verma@fijisun.com.fj