Graduate moved to tears after earning first qualification at 50

A 50-year-old father who left school after Year 10 because of financial hardship has achieved his dream of graduating, becoming the oldest graduate at Pacific Polytech's Labasa ceremony yesterday.

Masivesi Baleiburebasaga Veliloa embraced his wife as he fought back tears during Pacific Polytech's graduation ceremony at the Labasa Civic Centre.

The 50-year-old father of one from Naduri Village, Macuata, reflected on a journey marked by hardship, sacrifice and perseverance.

Mr Veliloa left Nabala Secondary School after completing Year 10 because of financial difficulties.

He was the oldest among the 73 graduates who received qualifications at the ceremony.

Holding his National Certificate in Plumbing and Sheetmetal Level 3, Mr Veliloa said memories of his struggles brought tears to his eyes.

"I come from a poor family and, as the eldest of three children, I had to help support my family," he said.

At 17, he began working as a sugarcane labourer to help make ends meet.

Years later, he secured a job with Aladdin Loalagi Investment, where the company's owner, Aladdin, taught him welding skills in a garage workshop.

"That was where I developed an interest in welding and wanted to learn more," Mr Veliloa said.

His journey, however, was far from easy.

When the garage closed, he returned to cane cutting and later worked as a security officer during the off-season.

"I kept motivating myself not to sit idle. I needed to move forward and make my family proud by becoming the first among my siblings to graduate with a certificate," he said.

Four years ago, he secured a position as a welder with the Water Authority of Fiji in Labasa.

The opportunity enabled him to enrol at Pacific Polytech and complete a three-month programme.

"I have these tears of joy because my journey wasn't easy," he said.

"I want to encourage people to do something for themselves and create a better future for their families."

Mr Veliloa thanked Pacific Polytech for giving him the opportunity to study regardless of his age.

"Now I can proudly call myself a graduate," he said.