Peni Drops Out Of School To Look After Dad, Graduates At 32
“I enrolled at Fiji National University to pursue certificate in automotive, but couldn’t complete it and then worked as volunteer for the National Fire Authority when my dad was gradually recovering,” Mr Raiwalui said.
Monday 31 July 2023 | 16:30
Peni Raiwalui with his mother, Lavenia Raiwalui during the Sangam Institute of Technology College of Nursing and Health Care Education graduation at Civic Centre in Labasa on July 28, 2023. Photo: Shratika Naidu
Peni Raiwalui had to cut short his academic career pathway after completing Year 12 to look after his sickly father.
Now aged, 32, he was one of three males graduates from the Sangam Institute of Technology College of Nursing and Health Care Education ceremony at Labasa Civic Centre on Friday.
The Tailevu native couldn’t hold back his his tears of joy.
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Mr Raiwalui said this was his first tertiary education qualification certificate- a National Certificate in Aged Care and Community Care level three.
The former Marist Brothers High School student said being the second eldest of five siblings he had taken the responsibility to look after his father recover from sickness.
“I enrolled at Fiji National University to pursue certificate in automotive, but couldn’t complete it and then worked as volunteer for the National Fire Authority when my dad was gradually recovering,” Mr Raiwalui said.
“When my mother, Lavenia Raiwalui got a lecturer position at Sangam Institute of Technology College five years ago and had to be transferred to Labasa, I stopped working to look after dad.”
He said it was through his mother’s prayer and motivation from the bible verse, Proverbs 3: 5-6, that enabled him to finish this six-month course.
Like most mothers’ desire, Mrs Raiwalui wanted her son to steer away from peer pressure and at least have one certificate so that he can provide for his family in the future by having a decent job.
“It wasn’t easy for us as a family, because I was away from home, husband was sick and Peni had to play the role of a good son and sibling,” Mrs Raiwalui said.
“He worked in various places and pursued different types of courses, but never had the opportunity to complete them.”
The 60-year-old mother thanked her son for being obedient and trying his best to complete this challenging course where many students were female and required lots of patients when dealing with aged care.
He was among 33 graduates.
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