FIJI Airways Fiji 7s captain Paula Dranisinukula reminisced on the struggles he faced as a Year Nine border at Ratu Kadavulevu School while delivering his keynote address at the Nakaikogo Sanatan Dharam School graduation in Koronivia yesterday.
With the prospects of motivating the 68 Year Eight graduates yesterday, he said the challenges he faced as a Year Nine boarder shaped him into the person he was today.
“Way back in 2005, I went to Ratu Kadavulevu School as a form three student and it was quite an experience. After enrollment and when my parents left for the village I was crying. I cried the whole day because I knew I wouldn’t be able to see my mom and dad,” shared an emotional Dranisinikula.
“From that moment I had to build myself up and I had to fight this challenge. I had to go through this and to be a good person you have to face challenges,” he said.
Nakaikoga Sanatan Dharam School head teacher Muniappa Gounder was impressed and inspired by Paula Dranisinikula’s story and thanked him for sharing those experiences with the students yesterday.
“He (Dranisinukula) shared his experiences as a border at RKS to our students who will be going to their high school of their choice next year. That really empowered and inspired our kids and with the overwhelming support we have noticed from the parents today speaks volumes of a person of his calibre,” Goundar said.
A total of 120 primary school and kindergarden students graduated from Nakaikoga Sanatan Dharam School which was officiated by the chief guest and former national 7s captain Dranisinukula.
He is expected to join the team to Dubai and South Africa next month.
