"If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it" is the verse of the scripture that has guided Jireh Maluina Tamapua in his academic journey and led to his completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. 

The eldest son and third child of Lenata'i Victor and Arlene Tamapua's seven children, he believes that hard work and perseverance pay off if you rely upon and trust in the Lord to carry you through anything and everything. 

Hailing from the villages of Moata'a, Vaivase-Tai and Saleimoa in Upolu, Mr. Tamapua completed his studies and graduated earlier this week from Otago University. 

While his parents and beloved sister Sarah Tamapua were among those who were present at his graduation, there were two very special people he wished could have been there to celebrate the milestone. 

They were Mr. Tamapua's "prayer warriors" and grandmothers, the late Elisapeta Rimoni Palu and his paternal grandmother, the late Fouai Alualu Tamapua who passed on last year. 

"Mama Fouai", according to Tamapua, has been the cornerstone of their family and because of the closure of international borders by the COVID-19 pandemic, he was not able to come to Samoa for his grandmother's final services. 

Mr. Tamapua admitted that his journey has been filled with turbulences and challenges just like anything in life. However, his perseverance and faith in God carried him through the obstacles he faced during his studies away from home. He also had to endure adapting to a whole new environment, creating new friendships and embracing diversity.

"With so many challenges, I managed to conquer it with Papa God never leaving nor forsaking me," he told this newspaper. "This milestone came with many challenges. 

"COVID-19, my eye surgery, especially with the death of my prayer warrior grandma, Fouai Alualu Tamapua last year and could not come home due to border closures. 

"What kept me going in the midst of the challenges is God and the promises that he has for us, and this is found in being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

"Philippians 1:6 This scripture reminded me that if God took me on this journey away from home and everything, he will bring it to completion and he did."

Mr. Tamapua is a true believer that if you are granted an opportunity, it is God's calling, therefore, one should always believe that God will carry you through it all. 

So what's next for Mr. Tamapua? He said currently he is a part-time lecturer and course coordinator for foundation accounting and it's an exciting role. He added that it has always been his passion to teach and unwrap learning ideas for students. 

"But I am not limited to this, for I wish to serve Samoa in whatever capacity that Abba Father has planned and prepared for me, this includes even being called for further studies. I am also looking forward to helping my mother in her business."