Growing up in an unstable home did nothing to deter Jamil Suleman from achieving greatness.
Grounded on self-belief and strong family values, the young man rose above what fate threw at him and succeeded.
Today, the elder of two siblings is successful in his own right, and continues to push the envelope.
His life so far shows that with commitment, passion and drive, human possibilities are endless.
“I consider myself to be from Nadi, as I grew up there until I moved to Suva at the age of 14 in 2014. I have been living in Suva ever since,” he said.
During his childhood years, life was not full of rainbows and sunshine.
Growing up was incredibly challenging for him due to various emotional hurdles.
“Family dynamics at home were far from stable. Constant conflicts and a lack of emotional support created an environment of insecurity and low self-esteem.”
The challenges he faced included the immense pressures of his academic pursuits.
“High expectations from my parents and myself created a constant fear of failure.
“The stress and anxiety from trying to meet expectations were exhausting and took a toll on my mental health.
“I often felt different from my peers and struggled to fit in. This led to feelings of loneliness and sadness.”
Individuals who suffer from mental health issues know the burden in overcoming them and Mr Suleman is no exception.
Mental health struggles were a significant part of his journey.
“Dealing with anxiety and depression without adequate support was incredibly difficult.
“In an effort to deal with my mental health I would smoke cigarettes and marijuana while in high school.
“I surrounded myself with people involved in wrong doings to get closure and feel included.”
The hardships of trying to survive at a time when the cost of living was high further caused him terrible hardships.
“Economic hardship was another layer of difficulty. The stress from these conditions created a sense of hopelessness and anxiety about my future.”
Mr Suleman’s deep love for the protection and love of household pets made him want to pursue a career in veterinary science.
Unfortunately, that dream was short-lived so she switched to studying journalism and social work at the University of the South Pacific.
“I chose to study journalism and social work because I was awarded the NTS scholarship, and I did not want to enter into the other scholarship of TELLS and be in debt.”
During his time at USP, Mr Suleman engaged in various extracurricular activities.
He graduated in 2021 with a degree, and since then, he has continued to seek opportunities for growth and learning.
“To further my expertise, I had undertaken a postgraduate diploma in social policy and I graduated a year later in 2022.
“To do my postgraduate diploma, I saved all the allowances I received from NTS for two semesters and paid for my overall four units at postgraduate level.”
However, all this triumph doesn’t mean Mr Suleman had no challenges.
“One significant challenge was managing the heavy workload and balancing it with extracurricular activities and part-time work.
“The rigorous academic schedule, coupled with my commitments outside of the classroom, often left me feeling overwhelmed and stressed.”
To overcomes this, he began to develop effective time management skills and used a planner to organize tasks and set clear priorities.
“Breaking down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks helped me stay on track and avoid last-minute rushes.
“Additionally, I learned to say no to non-essential activities, ensuring that I could focus on what truly mattered.”
But there were times when his boat rocked on the rough seas. This affected his focus and academic performance but he never bailed out.
“During these periods, I leaned on my support network of family and friends, and sought counselling services provided by the university.
“Talking about my challenges and seeking professional advice helped me navigate through tough times and maintain my focus on my studies.”
After all the rigorous assessments and hard work, he finally graduated.
“Graduating was an incredibly emotional and fulfilling experience for me. It marked the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
“Walking across the stage to receive my degree, I felt a profound sense of achievement and relief.
“It was a moment of validation for all the late nights, early mornings, and countless hours spent studying and working towards my goals.
Proud of his accomplishment, he never forgot whether he drew his strength from strongest. He said his real source of fortitude and energy came from his family.
“My parents, Janiff Suleman and Emeli Dimoro, provided unwavering encouragement and motivation, always believing in my potential even during the toughest times.
“My younger brother, Jordan Suleman, with his youthful enthusiasm and love, reminded me of the importance of perseverance and resilience.
“I also had the support of my friends, who were there with me through thick and thin.
“Seeing all these supportive faces in the audience filled me with immense gratitude.
“It was a celebration not just of my achievement, but of the collective effort and support of everyone who stood by me.
“Their presence made the moment even more special, and I felt incredibly blessed to have such a strong support network.
“Graduating was a bittersweet moment—exciting for the new opportunities ahead but also nostalgic for the journey that brought me there.
“It reinforced the importance of community, perseverance, and the power of belief in oneself.”
Besides his busy schedule, Mr Suleman indulges in mobile games in his free time which he fairly believes to be a great way of unwinding after a long day of studying and working.
He has also helped him develop strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
“Engaging in multi-player games allowed me to connect with friends and enjoy collaborative and competitive experiences.
“Another hobby I’m passionate about is reading MANGA comic magazine.
“I enjoyed exploring various genres, from fiction to nonfiction, which broadened my perspective and provided me with a wealth of knowledge outside my field of study.
“Reading is a great way to relax and escape into different worlds, fuelling my imagination and creativity.”
In the next five years, he hopes to open up a small restaurant as a side income while he pursues his professional career as a communications officer.
“I think with a modern classy set up, it will do well.
“I also wish to also be able to do a down payment for a house by then with the help of my business.
“I also wish to settle down by then, but I know that isn’t realistically possible, but we’ll see.
“I just need to be patient and work hard for it.”
Mr Suleman’s advice to our younger generation is to embrace resilience and adaptability.
“Life is full of unexpected challenges and changes, and the ability to navigate these with a positive and flexible mindset is crucial.
“Understand that setbacks are a part of growth and learning. Instead of being discouraged by failures, view them as opportunities to learn and improve.”
Mr Suleman is currently employed as an assistant information officer with the Department of Information.
