A Fijian husband and wife who studied across Fiji, Nauru and Tokelau while raising two children and working as teachers celebrated graduating together at the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Samoa.

They describe their achievement as a journey of sacrifice, struggle and determination.

Siliva Nabeca Tora graduated with a Bachelor of Education Primary, while her husband, Iroa Tuirara, graduated with a postgraduate Diploma in Education.

Siliva said the four-year journey was difficult as she balanced studies, family life and raising two young children while moving between Fiji, Nauru and Tokelau.

“There were a lot of challenges, since I'm a mother of two kids, and a wife,” she said.

She thanked her husband and family in Fiji for supporting her throughout the journey.

Iroa Tuirara, her husband, said both of them were teaching and studying at the same time while constantly relocating across the Pacific.

“I started my studies from one of the rural islands in Fiji, then we moved to Nauru, and now we are in Tokelau, but still I managed to access my courses,” he said.

He thanked USP for providing online learning opportunities across the Pacific.

Tuirara also dedicated his graduation to his father, who passed away last weekend, and shared the struggles they faced after scholarship applications were rejected.

“I was selling yams and vegetables so that I could pay for both of our schools,” he said.

The couple said they hope their achievement will motivate young people across Fiji, Samoa, Tokelau and Nauru to stay focused on their goals despite hardships.

However, the graduation was also an emotional moment for Tuirara, who dedicated the achievement to his father, who passed away last weekend, while his mother remains seriously ill.

“I think I have made my part to my dad, so attending this graduation is also, I think, I'm satisfied with it.”