Semi Seruvakula, a 29-year-old from Navutu Village, Naitasiri, faced adversity when peer pressure led him to abandon his mechanical engineering studies over a decade ago. However, he turned his life around and marked a significant achievement on Thursday by receiving a Certificate in Fabrication and Welding (Level 3) at the Fiji National University (FNU) graduation ceremony held at the Vodafone Arena.
Reflecting on his journey, Seruvakula admitted that peer pressure initially pushed him back to his village, where he opted to assist his father in farming. However, a friend offered him a job as a security officer, which became a turning point in his life. It was during this time that he discovered the opportunity to enroll in a welding and fabrication course, leading him down a path of education and personal growth.
While working as a security officer, Seruvakula financed his studies, showing remarkable determination and resilience. His father, Venieli Cakausese, the village headman, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievements, noting that the lessons learned along the way have helped shape him into a strong, independent individual. Cakausese shared his advice for young people, emphasizing the importance of faith and pursuing education to seize available opportunities.
After completing a year and a half of studies at FNU’s Samabula campus, Seruvakula is now employed by Fast Engineering. He remains deeply passionate about his work and credits his faith in God for guiding him toward his future endeavors. “I’m leaning on God to direct my next steps,” he affirmed.
This inspiring story underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the belief that challenges can lead to personal growth and success. Seruvakula’s journey serves as a reminder to the youth that it is never too late to change one’s path and that with determination and faith, a brighter future is always within reach.
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