Lafaele Tominiko, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the South Pacific, embodies the adage ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ Originally from Samoa, Tominiko has strong connections to Tamavua Village in Naitasiri and faced the tragic loss of his parents at a young age, which he turned into a source of motivation.
Despite the challenges of losing both parents—his father when he was three years old and his mother at age nine—he found support from his mother’s family, who helped him and his siblings through tough times. The former student of Sacred Heart College expressed deep gratitude to God and all who supported him during his journey.
Tominiko, the youngest of four siblings, acknowledged the immense role his relatives played in his life. “Losing both my parents was hard because they were my support system. I am grateful to my aunties, uncles, and Tamavua village for raising me. Looking back now, all the sleepless nights have paid off,” he stated.
He reflected on his desire for his parents to witness his achievements. “I wish my parents could have been here to see me walk up to the podium to receive my bachelor’s degree, but I am thankful for the family that filled that void,” he shared.
Recalling difficult moments, he mentioned times when he had no lunch and had to walk long distances from school, but the encouragement from his relatives kept him striving toward his goals. “They treated my siblings and I like their own children,” he noted.
As a private student at USP, Tominiko received financial backing from his brother and aunt living in the United States. Looking ahead, he plans to work and further his studies. His advice to fellow students is to stay persistent: “Keep going, and when you feel like giving up, remember why you started in the first place.”