From humble beginnings in Raiwaqa to a journey shaped by sacrifice and strong values, Jovilisi Yaya Fotofili says everything started with the lessons his parents taught him at home.
As he walked across the stage at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Education in Baltimore, Maryland in America, to receive his Master of Science in Education degree, it was not the achievement itself that overwhelmed him the most, but the memories.
For Fotofili, memories of selling green tamarind, ice blocks and helping with family farming work in Fiji came rushing back.
While speaking to fijivillage from Maryland, Fotofili says his story began in Raiwaqa, where his mother and father met, and although his parents did not complete high school, they gave him something he believes was even more powerful, values and strength.
Insert: Fotofili on his parents 25th May 26
Fotofili says his father worked in different jobs over the years, including as a taxi driver, a government driver and later at the Marshall Islands Embassy, while his mother cared for relatives in need, worked at a garment factory and later worked as a cleaner at Fiji College of Advanced Education.
Reflecting on his journey, Fotofili says his late parents worked hard to raise their family and instilled lessons that would later shape his life.
He says both his parents have passed away, but he acknowledges them for raising him well and for the values they gave him at home.
Fotofili attended Holy Trinity Anglican School before moving on to Marist Brothers High School and later completed his teacher training at the Fiji College of Advanced Education.
After teaching in Fiji, he was given an opportunity to work in the Marshall Islands, where he met his American wife.
He says having a supportive wife made a huge difference throughout his studies, adding that her belief in him allowed him to pursue his degree and later his master’s degree while balancing family responsibilities.
The couple later moved to the United States, where his educational journey reached another level.
He says through determination and opportunities such as Teach for America, he was eventually accepted into Johns Hopkins University.
But the road was far from easy.
Fotofili says he started his master’s programme with one child and by the time he completed it, he had become a father of three.
Balancing full-time work as a teacher, family life, fatherhood and academic demands often meant sacrifices had to be made.
He says raising children in America is very different from Fiji, where there are often many helping hands around.
Despite the pressures, he says seeing his children excited and watching their father graduate made every struggle worthwhile.
Fotofili says one of the most emotional moments at graduation was thinking about the journey from his early beginnings to standing at one of the world’s most recognised universities.
He says there were times he could hardly believe that someone who grew up facing challenges and helping his family survive week to week would one day reach that moment.
Outside of academics, rugby also played a major role in his life.
He played for Birdland-Kadavu before progressing to Naitasiri and later Northland.
While further studies may still be an option in the future, Fotofili says for now his focus is on being a father and husband.
He has also shared a message for young people in Fiji.
Fotofili says where a person comes from should never determine where they can go in life.
He says something small today can become something much bigger tomorrow.
