Recruit turns grief into achievement

A painful family loss became the motivation for one young police recruit to persevere and achieve success.

Constable Jekope Viaviaturaga, of Loa Village in Cakaudrove, was awarded the Baton of Honour for outstanding performance in the Fiji Police Force Basic Recruits Course Batch 69.

The award marked the culmination of years of hard work, discipline and sacrifice.

For Constable Viaviaturaga, the achievement carried special meaning after he and his wife lost their first-born child in 2024.

He described it as one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Despite their heartbreak, his wife continued to support and encourage him throughout his police training.

"There were times when I wanted to give up, but my wife kept encouraging me to stay strong," he said.

"She reminded me why I started this journey and helped me keep going when I felt lost."

The demanding training came while the family was still trying to heal from their loss.

"Every day was a struggle. I carried the pain with me during training, but I knew I had to keep moving forward," he said.

As he stood before fellow recruits to receive the Baton of Honour, Constable Viaviaturaga said his thoughts turned to his family and the child they had lost.

"I wish my child was here to see this moment," he said.