From Labourer, Photographer to Teacher
Kumar overcomes financial woes to graduate with a degree.
Thursday 25 April 2024 | 15:59
Navneel Kumar with his degree at the Fiji National University graduation ceremony in Labasa on April 24, 2024. Photo: Shratika Naidu
Navneel Kumar was among the batch of 41 students to graduate with a Bachelor of Education (Primary) degree from the Fiji National University (FNU) Naduna Campus in Labasa yesterday.
During the graduation at the Labasa Civic Centre, the 29-year-old of Bulileka, recalled the financial difficulties his family faced after the death of his father. He was in Year 10 then.
The younger of two siblings, after completing Year 12, stayed at home because his family did not have enough money to buy his stationery and other school related materials.
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He worked odd jobs such as painting, carpentry and a labourer to collect money which enabled him to return to Holy Family Secondary School to complete Year 13 a year later.
“My family still continued to live in poverty and I had to leave my dream of becoming a teacher and started working as a teller at Western Union,” Mr Kumar said.
“Since I had passion in photography and videography, I started my own business in 2017 by the name Labasa Best Photography.”
He said after he had saved enough money, he went to FNU to pursue his tertiary education in 2018.
“My business was affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and I had to again pull back from pursuing my education,” he said.
“It was not until last year when FNU Labasa Campus offered the course that I decided to complete it.”
He thanked his mother and fiancé, Rozeena Begum for their support.
“I am a teacher at Vausainiki Primary School in Natewa, Cakaudrove. From being a labourer to photographer, today (yesterday) I am a fulltime teacher with children,” he said.
He encourages school dropouts and those living in poverty that they must work hard to live their dream and overcome difficulties.
Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj
