Ana Yabakivou, an 18-year-old who faced the setback of dropping out of Year 12, has triumphantly graduated with a Certificate IV in Organic Agriculture. She was one of 34 students celebrated at the graduation ceremony of the Ministry of Youth’s Naleba Training Centre in Labasa.
Despite failing the Fiji Year 12 Certificate Examination (FY12CE) last year, Yabakivou embraced the opportunity to enroll at the training center, where she developed resilience and determination to succeed. She plans to further her education at either the Fiji National University (FNU) Koronivia campus or the University of the South Pacific, focusing on agricultural studies.
Yabakivou expressed her commitment to securing a job to support her family, emphasizing her simple yet profound dream: “to get a job and look after my family, meeting their financial needs.” To honor this milestone, she invited her grandmother, Anasimeci Solokai, to witness her achievement, which brought tears of joy to her grandmother’s eyes.
With immense gratitude towards her family, especially her grandmother, and the supportive educators at Naleba, Yabakivou credited her success to their unwavering encouragement. Solokai expressed her firm belief in her granddaughter’s potential, stating, “Nothing is impossible if a student has family support and the determination to achieve their goal.”
Reflecting on her journey, Yabakivou acknowledged the difficulties of adjusting to life away from home while residing at the center’s dormitory. Despite the initial struggles, she persevered and emerged successful. Her inspiring message to fellow students is one of hope: “Do not give up, because there are plenty of opportunities to climb up in life.”
Ana Yabakivou’s story serves as a powerful reminder that obstacles can be overcome with resilience, hard work, and a support system, emphasizing the importance of pursuing education and dreams despite setbacks.
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