Despite the challenges of caring for her bedridden mother each morning, Year 8 student Fulori Rokodrausa of Dravo District School in Tailevu has surpassed all expectations by being named the Dux of the school during their annual prize-giving ceremony yesterday.
In an interview with fijivillage News, Rokodrausa’s mother 46-year-old Timaleti Droceva expressed her joy at her daughter's remarkable achievement and shared that her daughter, who is just 13 years old, managed to excel academically despite the struggles she faces at home.
Droceva, who hails from Naila Village in Tailevu, revealed that after she was diagnosed with sciatica nerve pain four years ago, her daughter stepped up to care for her.
She says that the condition left her unable to sit or stand for extended periods.
Rokodrausa took on the responsibility of bathing her mother, cooking meals, and cleaning the house every morning before heading to school.
The mother of five shared that her daughter, originally from Wainika Village in the district of Tawake in Cakaudrove, had mentioned being questioned by her teacher for arriving late to school daily and she had then contacted the class teacher and explained that her daughter’s tardiness was due to her household responsibilities.
She says her daughter wants to become a nurse when she is older so that she is able to take care of people like her mother.
Droceva says Rokodrausa is trying to get an enrolled at Jai Narayan College.
Unfortunately, Droceva was unable to attend the prize-giving ceremony yesterday.
However, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to God for her daughter's accomplishments and prayed for blessings to guide Fulori through these challenging times.
Meanwhile, the school has confirmed that Telecom Fiji will be sponsoring her Year 9 studies.
