The selfless sacrifices of her parents moved Anushka Ashika Chand to tears when she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with honours from the University of Fiji last week.
The 27-year-old was among the numerous students who graduated from the university’s Saweni campus in Lautoka.
Ms Chand said the strong support of her parents continued despite her changing her program.
“I was doing a course in education, but then my dad got sick,” she said.
“He had a minor stroke, and because of that I stayed home for one semester. I never wanted to go back to university.”
Ms Chand did not go through to Year 13 studies. She only completed a foundation program, and since this was a requirement of the TISI Sangam School of Nursing, she was not able to secure a place.
“When I was younger my dad always told me that he wanted me to be a nurse, and whenever we went to the hospital he would tell me that he wanted me to wear a nurse’s uniform one day.
“So that inspired me to come back to university and resume my nursing studies.”
Ms Chand said her four years of studies were funded by her parents’ FNPF savings.
“I was under TSLS at USP, but when I joined the University of Fiji they did not sponsor me.
“It was for that reason that my parents withdrew all their money from their FNPF to pay my fees. So I am standing here because of them. All that I am today, I owe to them.”
Ms Chand said seeing her parents make the trip from Vunika in Labasa to attend her graduation meant the world to her.
“There were so many times when I felt I couldn’t make it and I would cry because I was a private student.
“I was afraid that I would not do well and that I would disappoint them, but my parents always pushed me to do my best.
“It was a very emotional moment for me because from my maternal side I am the first nurse in the family and my elder brother is a schoolteacher.”
Now that she’s graduated, Ms Chand has mapped out her plans.
“I have graduated with honours, but once I start working I want to further my education.
“I also have plans to do midwifery in the future, but I will have to see what life has in store for me.”
Her advice to young women who aspire to take up nursing is to never lose hope no matter how tough life gets.
“And never take your parents for granted because if you have them beside you, you can achieve anything,” she said.
