FOR Villiame Waqa Kabou Maena’ai, 21, graduation day was more than a ceremony — it was proof that perseverance can outlast loss, hardship, and self-doubt.
Standing proudly with his National Certificate in Automotive Electrical and Electronics Engineering (Level 3), Villiame marked a milestone few could imagine after the early heartbreaks of his teenage years.
Villiame lost both his parents while he was still in high school. Suddenly orphaned, his world shifted overnight.
With the support of his sister and cousin, who he currently lives with, he persevered.
“There were moments I wanted to give up,” he said quietly. “But I kept telling myself to keep moving, no matter what.”
After completing high school, Villiame enrolled at the Fiji National University to study civil engineering.
“I tried, but it was very hard for me to understand, I decided to drop out after one semester.”
He returned home and spent time in Levuka, taking on part-time jobs and searching for direction.
He discovered the programs available at Pacific Polytech while scrolling on Facebook.
With the financial support offered by the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS), Villiame was able to continue his studies without the burden of fees weighing him down.
As a Christian, Villiame said he leaned on prayer and surrounded himself with positive influences.
“There’s a Bible verse that says bad company ruins good character. I chose to walk with good friends who helped me stay focused.”
He dedicated his achievement to his late parents, his sister, and his teacher, whom he credits for guidance and encouragement.
