Seeing her single mother struggle to make ends meet, has become the driving force for Adi Salasaini Tabakaucoro to pass her exams.

While students of Years 12 and 13 have been on study break to prepare for their exams, the 17-year-old student of John Wesley College sat on the footpath near the Suva Flea Market with her mother, Mary Danford.

She did this while revising for her exam. Adi Salasaini said seeing her mother struggle after her father passed away seven years ago was what motivated her to do better.

“I want to thank my mother for supporting me and my four younger siblings,” she said.

“Sometimes I wake up at midnight and study until 3am.

“I am looking forward to sitting for my exams and I am determined to become a Police woman.”

Her 40-year-old single mum has prioritised her children’s education.

“When my husband passed on, I used half of the money to buy a house for my family and the rest for my children’s education,” Ms Danford said.

“Having invested in my children’s education, I am also trying my best to complete my studies because I want to become a role model for my children so that they can survive by themselves.

“I am a sales and marketing student at the university, but I am not studying at the moment because of financial issues.

“I have to collect $3600 to complete my studies in six months and graduate, but my major challenge is buying food items.”

Ms Danford hopes to collect enough money to secure a stall.

Ms Danford’s message to mothers is to minimise social activities and prioritise their children’s education.

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