Year 12 Dropout Becomes Organic Agriculture Graduate
Ms Yabakivou said she never felt deterred from recommencing her studies despite her Year 12 failure and remains determined to secure a good job after advancing in the agricultural field.
Saturday 23 November 2024 | 13:09
Ana Yabakivou with her grandmother, Anasimeci Solokai, after the Naleba Training Centre graduation ceremony on November 21, 2024. Photo: Sampras Anand
Year 12 dropout, Ana Yabakivou, persevered and graduated with a Certificate IV in Organic Agriculture, remaining confident she will secure employment one day.
Ms Yabakivou joined 33 other students who graduated from the Ministry of Youth’s Naleba Training Centre in Labasa on Friday.
Despite the academic challenge of failing the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE) last year, she was fortunate to be enrolled at the Naleba Training Centre this year.
Related stories
The 18-year-old plans to enrol at the Fiji National University (FNU) Koronivia campus in Suva next year or join the University of the South Pacific to further her agricultural studies.
Ms Yabakivou said she never felt deterred from recommencing her studies despite her Year 12 failure and remains determined to secure a good job after advancing in the agricultural field.
“I have a simple dream: to get a job and look after my family, meeting their financial needs,” she said.
To make the occasion memorable, she invited her grandmother to attend the graduation ceremony.
Ms Yabakivou attributed her success to her family and grandmother, who have been her pillars of support.
She commended the teachers and centre manager for their support in assisting with projects.
Grandmother, Anasimeci Solokai, 67, said she was overwhelmed to see her granddaughter achieve success.
In tears, Ms Solokai said she believed that Ms Yabakivou would graduate and get a good job.
“Nothing is impossible if a student has family support and the determination to achieve their goal,” she said.
Challenges and message
Ms Yabakivou is from Nabubu Village, Namuka District, Macuata, and spending close to a year at the centre’s girls’ dormitory was challenging.
“It was hard initially to adjust to life without my family because I stayed at the centre’s girls’ dorm,” she said.
She described moments when she felt alone and longed for family comfort, but she rose to the occasion and graduated.
“My message to students who feel down today is not to give up, because there are plenty of opportunities to climb up in life,” she added.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
