At 42 years old, Vani Sokomuri has made history as the first member of her family to obtain a tertiary education degree. She was one of 28 graduates from the Then India Sanmarga Ikya (TISI) Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education, earning a National Certificate in Aged Care and Community Care Level Three.
During the graduation ceremony held at the Civic Centre in Labasa, Vani, who is expecting her seventh child, shared her motivating story of determination over the past six months of her studies. She described her nightly routine of studying after putting her children to sleep, often continuing late into the night. “Sometimes I’d sleep with them and wake up at 2 am to study before preparing breakfast and sending them off to school,” she recounted.
Her weekdays were filled with a hectic schedule. Vani explains, “From Monday to Friday felt like rush hour. After sending the children to school and arranging a babysitter for my youngest, I had to ensure I was in class by 8 am.”
A native of Baravi Village, Navakasiga, Bua, and the eldest of six siblings, she received the award for Best Clinical Student Female. Although she completed Year 13 at Labasa Sangam (SKM) College and began a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of the South Pacific, financial issues made it necessary for her to pause her education and focus on family life after marriage.
“I always wanted to study,” Vani said with conviction. “Like many others, I dreamed of attaining tertiary education and setting a positive example for my children to demonstrate that dreams should never be abandoned.” She expressed gratitude to her husband, Napolioni Latianara, an officer with the Labasa Corrections Service, for his unwavering support throughout her educational journey.
This inspiring story highlights the power of resilience and the impact of support systems in achieving personal goals. Vani Sokomuri’s triumph will undoubtedly encourage others facing similar challenges to pursue their dreams, proving that it’s never too late to achieve educational aspirations.
In summary, Vani Sokomuri’s journey underscores the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, setting an uplifting example for others in her community.
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