Cane Farmer Witnesses Daughter Fulfil Family Dream
Witnessing her father working hard under the sun at the sugarcane farm and returning home with bruised hands motivated Shivantika Chand to work hard.
The 25-year-old vowed to make a name for herself and on Friday she was one of 33 University of the South Pacific graduates who became lawyers during their admission ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.
She is from Boubale in Bulileka, Labasa.
Ms Chand said her father Bindesh Chand always showed commitment when it came to the welfare of their family.
“I have watched my father’s tired face when he comes home every afternoon with bruised hands and I vowed to myself that I will work hard and take care of him and mum. My father is a hardworking man who always tries to hide his tired face by putting on a smile before he enters our home,” Ms Chand said.
“I am the first lawyer in my family and this is a proud moment for us. I am glad that my parents were able to witness this day. My family have always looked forward to this day and today I am fulfilling the dream of all my family.
“When things got tough, I reminded myself why I am doing this and it was the encouragement that I needed. My parents always encouraged me to do my best.”
As a parent, it was a proud moment for Mr Chand as he watched his daughter take her oath.
Mr Chand shed tears of joy as he talked about his daughter.
“I am so happy and proud of my daughter. All the struggles and challenges I went through were worth it, especially being here and witnessing my daughter with her lawyer’s gown. No words can describe the feeling of watching my daughter take her oath,” he said.
“There has never been a lawyer in my family so I want to thank the Government for the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS) because without TELS I would not have been able to see this day. TELS has really helped my family.
Edited by Jeremiah Ligairi
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