Mum’s Hardship Sets Pace For Waiqanake Dux

The hardships faced by Rikansha Sharma’s mother became her motivation to scoop the dux award.

It was a proud moment for the 14-year-old, especially for her proud parents, her brother and teachers.

Apart from getting the top achiever award, the Waiqanake District School student also scooped:

•  first prize,
•  best attendance award,
•  Head Girl Award and
• overall highest in English 96, Maths 96 , Hindi 96, Health Science 98, Social Science 93 and Basic Science 95 with an overall total of 574/600.

“My mother always told me about the hardships she had faced as a young girl when she was in Taveuni,” Rikansha said.

“Knowing what she went through made me work hard at school. I want to be like my mother who thrived and became successful on her own.”

Rikansha said her initial days at the school were stressful and it took time for her to adjust because she was the only Indo Fijian student.

Rikansha has enrolled at Jai Narayan College and aims to pursue Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in the future.

Her mother, Kamni Sharma, who is the Head Teacher of the school said she was proud of her daughter’s achievements.

“We wake up at 4am every day and come to the school all the way from Nausori.”

Mrs Sharma said she always reminded her daughter about the importance of education and how privileged she was to be in school.

“I am from Taveuni and back then there were girls who were not given the liberty of pursuing their education,” Mrs Sharma said.

“As soon as I reached Form Five (Year 11), my mum asked me if I wanted to get married or pursue my education.

“I was very determined. I had to go to school and after coming back in the afternoon, I had to work at the farm every day because that was our only source of income for our extended family,” she said.

“I told Rikansha that education will give her confidence and she would be able to go to places she had never been to.”

Waiqanake District School is located outside Lami Town.