TRAGEDY has shaped Tessa Harman into the STOP Champion that she is today.
The Team Fiji Hockey representative lost her mother to diabetes which according to health authorities is the number one killer in Fiji when it comes to non-communicable diseases.
The 20-year-old Lesiaceva, Cakaudrove lass said the loss of her mother made her want to make people more aware about NCDs and the effect it could have on them and their families.
“Many youths our age are more comfortable hearing about issues such as NCDs and HIV/AIDS,” she said.
“It is also unfortunate that some of the members of our senior community are close and narrow minded so it really is about how we approach people and make them more aware.”
Tessa said her tragic moment made her more determined to ensure that those around her were more aware about NCDs and HIV/AIDS.
She said being seen as STOP Champion was a responsibility she was happy to have as long as she could use it to help others.
“Everyone should be aware of NCDs and HIV/AIDS because together we can do and achieve so many things,” Tessa said.
Tessa comes from a sporting family with her father having played rugby along with her two brothers and her mother also having participated in hockey.
Apart from her being a STOP Champion, Tessa is also a university student who believes education will help people more aware about the dangers of NCD’s and HIV/AIDS and she encourages youths to continue their education whenever they can.
