Marica Maramanikaisuva was overwhelmed with emotion as she witnessed her eldest son being honored with the Baton of Honour at the inaugural cadet passing-out parade of Saint Theresa of Lisieux College on Friday. This milestone holds particular significance as it coincides with the centennial celebrations of the Saint Teresa of Lisieux parish.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was Major-General Jone Kalouniwai, Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Maramanikaisuva, a resident of Lavena in Taveuni, expressed her pride, stating, “I couldn’t control my tears when I heard my son’s name called out. Life is not easy, and to witness this achievement is worth every ounce of hardship and struggle – God is great.”
She shared the challenges that she and her husband face as subsistence farmers, working hard to support their family and ensure their son’s education. “After planting, we have to wait four months until we can sell our produce in the market. Most days, we depend on the Sigatoka River for food and income,” she explained.
Attending school events to connect with her son’s teachers and classmates is a priority for her, despite the challenges posed by their location. “This school is situated across the Sigatoka River, and we often have to climb a hill to reach it, which becomes particularly difficult on rainy days,” she noted.
Maramanikaisuva added that the school is special as it offers a holistic education, with the church on the same premises ensuring that prayer is integrated into the daily curriculum. “He is our eldest; we hope that if he performs well, his younger siblings will follow his example,” she said.
Sakiusa Raiko, who hails from Nalebaleba in the Nadroga district, spoke about the dedication required to balance cadet training with his studies. “The journey has not been easy for me and my fellow cadets; we’ve faced many challenges along the way, but in the end, our hard work is paying off,” he remarked.
After completing high school, Raiko aspires to pursue a career in carpentry and joinery.