Losalini Vakatiqitiqini from Galoa Island in Bua was full of joy as she received her completion letter from the University of the South Pacific for Bachelor of Commerce.
Vakatiqitiqini is currently a security officer at a university campus in Labasa.
She says the struggles she experienced at her young age motivated her to strive for excellence.
The 36-year-old says while growing up in a poor family that struggled to make ends meet, she was determined to pursue an education, believing it was a pathway out of poverty.
Vakatiqitiqini says she joined USP in 2006 but could not complete her studies due to financial pressures.
She says she resumed her studies in 2020 and proudly completed her degree this year.
The 36-year-old says balancing her responsibilities as a wife, mother, and security officer while studying was challenging, but she never gave up.
She also highlighted that she worked in various roles, including a cleaner and a housemaid to earn money for her education.
Vakatiqitiqini says she worked long shifts, often sacrificing rest, but remained determined.
She says despite these challenges, she refused to let her circumstances dictate her future, and one of her main obstacles was studying online without a laptop.
The 36-year-old says for the past three years, she relied on the computer labs at USP’s Labasa Campus to complete her assignments.
She encourages others not to let their upbringing define them but instead to use it as motivation to move forward.
She adds her aim for next year is to secure a job that matches her qualifications and to pursue further studies, focusing on a third degree in Professional Accounting.
