There is a mountain beside Vasemaca Ramavu’s home in Lautoka where she goes to pray every time life gets difficult.

The 22-year-old said this would often happen when school became hard, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

She believes this helped her she graduate from the Fiji National University (FNU) with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) majoring in Accounting and Economics, two weeks ago.

“My personal time with God was just the only way I could manage my life and studies in the three years of college,” she said from Lautoka.

“At some point, I would face internet problems, technical problems with laptops, lack of information, and minimal peer teaching which led to depression and late submission of work.”

“It was by far one of the toughest moments considering the fact that times were getting hard and I had no option, but to endure the little struggles that I faced.”

The Bukama, Yasawa native lost her biggest supporter, his brother, Esira Naceremalua, early this year. She dedicated her achievement to him.

“He advised me to take up a programme that was similar to his field (Accounting and Economics) so that he could assist me when studies got tough,” she said.

“The struggle of being an accounting student is real, but he would always advise me by saying, that ‘nothing worthwhile comes easy, you can do this Va’.

“He passed away in January this year leaving behind a painful memory, which was an emotional journey when I graduated.”

Her education was sponsored by the Fijian Government through the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS).

“My biggest motivation is my parents. They were hard on me when I grew up, but I look up to them as great teachers and role models in my life. For without their guidance, I wouldn’t have made it this far in life,” she said.

She said students finding it hard to complete their studies must put God first.

“Don’t stop when there is no progress. Keep pushing for greater levels in life. There will always be hardship and problems, but the greater you push further, the greater the outcome of success,” she advised.

Story by: josefa.babitu@fijisun.com.fj