'I Did It for My Parents': Kunagado
For three years, he lived the life of a villager, helping his parents tending to crops.
Friday 11 April 2025 | 08:22
From left: Mum Waita Dimasa, graduate Josevata Kunagado, and dad Josua Valamalua after The University of the South Pacific graduation at the Vodafone Arena, Suva, on April 10, 2025. Photo: Rariqi Turner
University of the South Pacific graduate Josevata Kunagado’s educational journey has been one of sacrifice.
Born and raised in the village of Vatubalavu, Noikoro, in the interior of Nadroga Navosa, with maternal ties to Batiri, Malomalo, in Nadroga, Mr Kunagado is grateful to have graduated.
Mr Kunagado graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Management at the University of the South Pacific graduation at the Vodafone Arena yesterday.
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He started his tertiary education journey in 2019 after he was ticked for Tertiary Scholarship & Loans Service assistance.
“I come from the interior of Nadroga and Navosa and to achieve this, is an opportunity for me to make a difference in the world,” Mr Kunadogo said.
“It was not an easy journey for me, to be far from home, the new environment had its challenges,” he said.
“Balancing schoolwork with the pressures of life was hard so I took time off after my first year.
“I returned to Vatubalavu in 2020 to help my parents on our farm. Life in the village was tough without a stable job.”
For three years, he lived the life of a villager, helping his parents tending to crops.
Then one day it dawned to him that he can be better.
“I realised that I had nothing to show for all the hard work and sacrifice my parents had put into raising me. I owed them something more. I needed to return to university,” he said.
He returned to USP in 2023 to finish what he had started—not just for himself, but to honour his parents’ sacrifices.
“The main and only motivation that made me go back to university was my parents.”
His parents, Josua Valamalua and Waita Dimasa, dedicate their lives to providing for their children.
Root crop and vegetable farming are their means of survival, and money they make allow their children to dream of a better future.
“Farming is the only resource of income we have, for my son to achieve this, is worth all the hard work and sacrifice we have put in. Without it, he wouldn’t have achieved his degree,” mum, Ms Dimasa said.
“We are so proud of him, for setting the benchmark to others in our village.”
Mr Kunagado said: “My parents worked so hard to give me opportunities, and I wanted to give back by finishing my education.”
Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj
