The year has been a roller coaster ride for the Lavea-Gatoloai siblings but despite the challenges they fulfilled a dream that their grandfather had for himself.

The brother and sister started from their village in Moataa, and are now admitted in the high courts in New Zealand. They are home to give back.

So’oalo Salevaogogo Ervin Romney Magic Lavea-Gatoloai and So’oalo Priscilla Lanuola Polly Lavea-Gatoloai were bestowed the So'oalo title in paying tribute to their late grandfather, Tagaloamatua Te’omatavu’i Lavea Mulitalo Lisona Lavea who had a dream to be educated as a lawyer but could not do so because he had to look after his seven children.

His two grandchildren made that dream come true for him after a challenging academic journey overseas and making sure they fulfilled that dream.

In May of this year, the two siblings graduated from the University of Auckland, Law School with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws conjoint degree which took them five years. They are the first siblings to graduate together at the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts and Law Degree.

Sooalo Ervin was admitted in September and he became a counsel in November. They both got admitted to the high courts in New Zealand as barristers and solicitors and together again, they've come to Samoa to be bestowed the So'oalo title in Samauga.

"So I guess it's a milestone to celebrate because we were born and raised in Samoa, left in search of better opportunities and it's been a full circle for us to be able to come back and receive our matai titles to be able to serve our families, villages,  and churches," So'oalo Priscilla said.

"We wanted to share that in the hope of inspiring others that 'E lele le toloa ae maau i le vai' and wherever this life may take us, we will always come back home.

"Our grandfather passed away in December last year, this was his dream was to graduate as a lawyer but unfortunately he wasn't able to do so because he had to look after his seven kids and his family and so it's been his living dream.

"Just before our grandfather passed away in December we were finalised to be graduated in November so we knew that his dream for us his children had come true and so this is in honour of him too, finishing that dream for him and coming back to serve our families."

The successful duo's parents are Papaliitele Falafesi’itai Toleafoa Laauli Gatoloai and Fa’amausili Vana Lavea-Gatoloai and their grandmother is So’oalo Faapalemataolealofa Lavea.

Recalling their journey, Sooalo Ervin stressed that coming back for both of them is to inspire the young generation of Samoa to reach their dreams and that anything is possible.

"Many of the opportunities overseas are the dream of any kid in Samoa. It's always seen as a challenging journey for them and that's partly why we want to share our journey, to inspire them of their journeys," he said.

"Reach for the stars. There's so much more out there than what we have here but the importance of this journey is that we started our journey from here and we grew up here."

The duo moved to New Zealand in 2006 in search of greener pastures and they also emphasized that the reason why Samoans move overseas is to find better things in life and be able to give back.

"It's all about service and our grandfather is big on service and a family-oriented man and that's what we're trying to do as well, to serve with whatever capacity we have now," Sooalo Ervin added.

"We're grateful that we started our journey with our grandfather and ended our journey this year with our grandfather and we only have our grandmother now to witness all of this.

"Understanding that there's a lot more than you doing this Degree but realising that there's a lot of people that come to push you."

The sibling's grandparents were the first couple to graduate from the University of Samoa.

Meanwhile, Sooalo Ervin now practices as a criminal defence lawyer at the Public Defence Service in Manukau New Zealand since July and in February next year, his sister will join him when they get back from Samoa.