Mum Graduates
“It is important to always support your spouse. Commitment is key to a happy marriage and today I’m a proud father and a husband to my brilliant wife and mother of my children,” he said.
Thursday 20 July 2023 | 17:21
Graduate Manisha Prasad with her husband Ritesh Prasad on July 19, 2023. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Behind every successful story lies a painful beginning.
For Manisha Prasad, 35, her success stands as a testament to her journey.
Overwhelmed and excited, she walked away with the best student award at the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre (MWTC) yesterday,
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She used the opportunity to share her story that began with a grim reality.
As the youngest of three siblings, Ms Prasad was raised by her father, a cane cutter, who passed away when she was only 14 years old.
At a tender age, Ms Prasad found herself burdened with tremendous responsibilities while her other two siblings moved on with their lives. It was her grandmother who took her under her wing.
“It wasn’t long after my dad passed away that my grandmother decided to drop me off at the Dilkusha Home,” Ms Prasad said.
Dilkusha became her new home and provided an opportunity for her to find work. As the years passed, she met the love of her life.
“I never thought I would make it anywhere until I met Ritesh, my husband now,” she said.
With two beautiful children and a successful taxi business, Ms Prasad felt immense pride as she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her husband for his unwavering support.
At the completion of her six-month culinary training at the MWTC, the couple made plans to sell one of their taxis to open Ms Prasad’s dream restaurant.
Her husband displayed commitment and support by accompanying her to the graduation ceremony.
“It is important to always support your spouse. Commitment is key to a happy marriage and today I’m a proud father and a husband to my brilliant wife and mother of my children,” he said.
During his speech, the Higher Education Commission of Fiji chair Steve Chand, referred to graduates as extraordinary individuals.
“I call you extraordinary because you seize these educational opportunities with faith and strived to complete them despite the odds stacked against you,” he said.
Ms Prasad challenged women with similar stories to keep striving and never stop believing.
“Nothing is impossible if the heart is willing,” she said.
The MWTC has now celebrated the graduation of more than 1600 women.
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