Fulori Honoured

Fulori Diraboki, of Dravo District School never imagined that she would be recognised as an inspiration for simply carrying out what she termed as her responsibilities to her sick mom.

Young Fulori’s story was first published in the cover of this masthead on November 30 after being awarded dux at Dravo District School in Tailevu.

Yesterday, she received an award for her exemplary progress in personal development, especially where this has meant overcoming adverse personal circumstances to become successful in life.

She was honoured among 14 other recipients at the Fiji Children’s Award ceremony by Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya and her assistant Sashi Kiran.

The Year 8 student could not contain her emotions as her name was called out in recognition of her resilience, selflessness, and an unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

“I conitinue to thank God for his provisions in my life. Receiving the recognition was unbelievable because all I know I was just performing my responsibilities as a young daughter to my mom,” she said.

“And to be recognised by the Minister is an inspiration, I can only thank God because He has been the source of my strength.”

HER STORY

The 13-year-old has risen above all odds to achieve something extraordinary. Despite a life filled with challenges and sacrifices, Fulori’s determination and the love of her mother have propelled her to become the Year 8 Dux at Dravo District School.

Fulori hails from Wainika, Tawake in Cakaudrove, she attended Naduna Arya Pathshala School outside Labasa from Year One to Year Seven.

However, this year, her journey took an unexpected turn when her mother’s condition became worse.

After falling ill in Suva four years ago her mother’s condition became serious.

Her mother, Timaleti Droceva, has been bedridden for the past four years due to a spinal condition that has left her unable to sit or walk.

Fulori’s older siblings, who were initially supposed to travel to Suva, to look after their sick mother and study at Bau District School, could not do so, as their subject combinations could not be met here. She is number three out of five siblings. The responsibility fell on Fulori, and her life as a young girl was forever changed.

“My two older siblings were supposed to come instead of me to come and study in Bau District SchooL,” Fulori said.

“But they couldn’t come over because their subject combination were not offered here, they had to stay back in Labasa with my dad as I came here,” she said.

“My daily morning routine would be to bathe my sick mom, clean the house, cook her lunch and also prepare my school lunch before leaving for school.”

Despite the overwhelming responsibilities at home, Fulori remained committed to her education.

“I have always had the determination to be the first in my class, despite the odds. Evening classes, holiday classes, afternoon classes were an opportune time for me to catch up on my studies. I was always weak in maths but that was not a deterrence for me, we helped each other as a class.

“My mom always told me to get past year papers, and we would solve maths problems together here at home.

“I have always been told that whoever was first in the class would always be first in past years and there was no sense of competition. I’m glad that I had changed that when I came to Dravo this year, and everyone had the urgency to perform.”

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