An emotional Marica Maramanikaisuva was moved to tears upon hearing her eldest son’s name announced as the recipient of the Baton of Honour during the inaugural cadet passing-out parade at Saint Theresa of Lisieux College on Friday.
Sakiusa Raiko, a Year 12 student, achieved this honor during a significant event that coincides with the week-long centennial celebrations of the Saint Teresa of Lisieux parish. The chief guest at the occasion was Major-General Jone Kalouniwai, the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.
“I couldn’t hold back my tears when my son’s name was called. Life is not easy, and seeing this achievement makes all the hardships and struggles worthwhile – God is great,” expressed Ms. Maramanikaisuva, a resident of Lavena, Taveuni. She shared the financial challenges that she and her husband face as subsistence farmers, emphasizing the effort involved in supporting their children’s education, particularly Raiko’s.
“We wait for four months after planting before we can sell our produce in the market. Most days, we depend on the Sigatoka River for food and income,” she shared. Attending school events to connect with her son’s teachers and classmates is a priority for her.
“This school (both primary and college) is situated across the Sigatoka River. We have to hike up a hill to reach it, and the conditions worsen on rainy days,” she remarked. She highlighted the school’s commitment to holistic education, mentioning that the church on the same grounds makes prayer an integral part of their daily routine.
As Raiko pursues his education, Ms. Maramanikaisuva noted, “He is our eldest, and we believe that if he excels, his younger siblings will follow suit.” Despite the challenges of balancing academics and cadet training, Raiko, hailing from Nalebaleba in Nadroga, remained determined to succeed.
“The journey has not been easy for me and my fellow cadets. We faced many challenges, but now we can see the rewards of our hard work,” said Raiko, who aspires to pursue carpentry and joinery after completing high school.