Grandfather’s sacrifice fuels Year 12 success

For Waisake Rawaitale, collecting his Year 12 examination results at the Ministry of Education Head Office today was more than a personal achievement, it was the result of years of sacrifice, hard work and determination by his family.

Central to his success is his grandfather, Jiale Sarasau, who worked as a security officer for 11 years, earning just $100 a week as the sole provider for his children and grandchildren.

“With that $100, my whole family depended on me to survive,” Mr Sarasau said.

“There were many hard days, but every day we focused on two things — keeping our family together and making sure the children received an education.”

Despite the modest income, Mr Sarasau said he worked tirelessly to ensure his grandchildren had every opportunity to learn.

“Even when I was exhausted, I encouraged them to study. I wanted them to see that hard work pays off,” he said.

Waisake recently passed his Year 12 Certificate Examinations, a milestone that reflects the family’s resilience and commitment to education.

“I couldn’t have done this without my grandfather,” Waisake said.

“His sacrifices taught me that even with very little, you can achieve big things.”

Mr Sarasau recalled many sleepless nights worrying about bills, food and school fees, but said he never lost sight of the family’s dream.

“It wasn’t easy, but seeing Waisake succeed makes every struggle worth it,” he said.

For the family, Waisake’s achievement represents more than an exam result — it is proof that sacrifice, love and education can change lives.

“Life can be tough and money can be tight,” Mr Sarasau said, “but with determination and faith, success is possible.”

Waisake is now preparing for Year 13 and hopes to pursue university studies, carrying forward his grandfather’s hard work and his family’s dreams.