Samuel dedicates degree to hardworking Mum

By ROSELYN ELLISON
COMING from a remote area and a poor family background did not discourage Samuel Warusi from doing his best to get a university degree.
Samuel, 25, from Muku village in the Nuku district of West Sepik, had topped his class in the Bachelor in Sustainable Tropical Agriculture degree course at the University of Natural Resources and Environment in Vudal, East New Britain.
“My parents are subsistence farmers with no formal education. But with the grace of God, I managed to complete my studies with high grades. I am very thankful to God Almighty.”
His parents, especially his mother, paid Samuel’s school fees from the money they earned from selling garden produce.
“My mother sells garden produce at the local market daily.”
Samuel, named dux of the 2021 graduating class, thanked his parents for supporting him since elementary school. His father only reached Grade Two. His dear mother never went to school at all.
Samuel is the fifth eldest in a family of seven – four brothers and three sisters. His siblings only managed to reach Grade Eight. So for him to reach and graduate from university is a big feat for the family.
He began Grade One in 2005 and completed Grade Eight in 2013 at the Wolu Primary School in Nuku. He was then selected to do grades nine and 10 at the Wamaya High School in 2014 and 2015.
He completed Grade 12 at the Wamungo Secondary School in Nuku in 2017 and was accepted for the university programme at Vudal in 2018.
“I applied for a diploma programme in sustainable tropical agriculture and graduated in 2020. Then I decided to do the bachelor degree (in 2021).”
He dedicates his success to his mother.

“ I faced challenges during my four years in university and sometimes wanted to leave. But I think about the one person who is always behind my back and encourages me to focus on my studies – my mother.”

“Without her support, I wouldn’t have made it this far. She works hard every day to sell garden produce for my school fees. Although she is just a village woman without any formal education, God gave her the wisdom and strength to earn money to pay for my school fees from primary school to university.”
Samuel thinks about her struggle when he himself is facing challenges.
“I faced challenges during my four years in university and sometimes wanted to leave. But I think about the one person who is always behind my back and encourages me to focus on my studies – my mother.”
Due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) travel restrictions in ENB, his parents could not travel from West Sepik to Vudal to witness Samuel’s big moment at the graduation.
“I wish she is here in person to see me graduate and receive my awards.”
Samuel thanks the Cocoa Board of PNG for sponsoring the dux award.
Above all, he thanks God for blessing and guiding him throughout.
His advice to students: Focus on studies and never give up as there are always good outcomes for sheer diligence.