Mother and Son Eye Better Future
The 40-year-old mother of five children described the moment as overwhelming.
Thursday 17 April 2025 | 14:08
Mother Lavenia Zinck and son Alifereti Raqauqau at the Pacific Polytech graduation ceremony at Nabua Campus on April 16, 2025. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Lavenia Zinck and her son Alifereti Raqauqau defied all odds to graduate with certificates in housekeeping services from Pacific Polytech in Nabua yesterday.
They became a rare success story of mother and son receiving their certificates simultaneously.
The 40-year-old mother of five children described the moment as overwhelming.
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“I’m extremely pleased and happy to be graduating with my son – it’s rare to have a mother and son graduate together, so I’m proud of our achievement today,” Ms Zinck said.
Their journey was not without challenges because the family faced difficulties, but these obstacles only strengthened their resolve.
“We were able to make pies, cook food to sell to support ourselves,” she said.
“We were also evicted at the same time, but that wasn’t a barrier for us because we were dying to come back to school after 20 years.”
Ms Zinck credited her husband, who runs a fishing business, for supporting her return to education. This marked her first graduation ceremony.
Advice
When asked about advice for other mothers with grown children who might hesitate to further their education, Ms Zinck was emphatic.
“There’s no age barrier in education and success, so never give up, keep trying,” she said.
“If you have the passion for anyhting, you will do it.”
The qualification is expected to improve the family’s living standards once Ms Zinck secures permanent employment.
“My husband will be happy and I’ll be able to put food on the table as well to help support him,” she said.
Everything they do is for their kids and she is sure this is something that will make life better in the future.
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