For six years, the support of his mother kept him ground­ed in school, and William Mataikabara was finally able to return the favour last week.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Law from the University of the South Pacific in Suva, where he recalled the unwavering support of his mother.

The 23-year-old from Namuka-i-Lau said the journey was a long one with a lot of sufferings.

“Thank you, mum,” he said.

“There were so many sleepless nights for the never-ending waves of assignments and exams.

“I spent most of tertiary educa­tion as a full-time student up until my last semester where I got a job to support my final lap.”

Mr Mataikabara strives to be like his dad, who said never stopped trying when life became hard.

“The essence of education is that it never stops, more so it cannot stop,” he said.

He dedicated his degree to his late grandfather, who taught him the important lessons that built his character.

“Don’t let your journey be only an academic one, let loose, make new friends and new memories,” he said.

“When you are focused on your goals, none of the above will be a distraction to your dreams, but rather your steps to them.”

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