Dr Varo : From collecting trash at USP to earn income for his fare and food to becoming the USP’s Acting HOD for Land Management and Development

From collecting trash at the University of the South Pacific to be recycled to earn some income for his bus fare and food when he started his degree program, and now becoming the USP Acting Head of the Department for Land Management and Development.

That is the story of Doctor Joeli Varo who is from Naraiyawa Village in Namosi.

Speaking to fijivillage News, Doctor Varo says to live through challenges is a custom and through those moments it defines who we are and how we can navigate ways towards success.

Doctor Varo says he could not ask for anything more than being given a challenge.

He says looking back at his past, he was nurtured in a good way where he was taught by his parents to learn the hard way.

He says the transition from secondary to tertiary education did not negatively impact him but it positively moulded him.

He says being allowed to hold the position of Acting Head for the Land Management Department is a humbling experience for him.

He further says now as a team leader for the department he still shows respect to his lecturers who taught him back during his university days.

He adds he is the first alumni student of Land Management at USP to take up the position of Acting Head of the Land Management Department and is also the first family member to hold the position as such in any university.

He is encouraging the youths to always respect their parents and those who are older than them because that is the key that opens the door to success.

You can check out Doctor Varo’s full interview in the iTaukei and English languages on our facebook page and YouTube channel, fijivillage at 7pm tonight.