It was an emotional milestone for early childhood educator Alisi Kaususu, 36, as her mother travelled from Vanua Levu to witness her graduate with a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood from the Fiji National University (FNU) yesterday.
Ms Kaususu was among 664 graduates from FNU’s College of Humanities, Education and Law, marking the end of a long journey that began after a decade as a stay-at-home mother.
She said a chance encounter with an FNU roadshow at the Nausori market became the turning point that pushed her back into education.
“After 10 years of seeing my kitchen walls, I realised that I had to support my husband too,” she said.
“It was when I saw the FNU roadshow at the Nausori Market that ignited a light and will to study to become a teacher.”
Balancing study, motherhood and family life proved challenging, particularly as her husband worked away from home at the Tuvatu Gold Mines in Sabeto. Despite the demands, she pressed on beyond her initial qualification, continuing straight into degree studies after completing her Certificate IV in Early Childhood Care.
A defining moment of the day was the presence of her mother, Varanisese Kawakawa, who travelled from Tawake Village in Cakaudrove to Suva for the graduation.
To afford the trip, Mrs Kawakawa sold eight sacks of coconuts in the week leading up to the ceremony, where Minister for Defence Pio Tikoduadua was chief guest.
“I came all the way from Tawake Village, just to witness my eldest, and the first of all my children to graduate with a bachelor’s degree,” the proud mother said.
Ms Kaususu dedicated her achievement to her mother, her husband Silio Tunaulu Tuivanuavou, and her lecturers.
“To all my ladies, never stop pushing and always ‘pray until something happens’,” she said.
