Father motivates Faleula’s top student

By Nefertiti Matatia 16 December 2017, 12:00AM

Raymond Pelike is the Dux of Faleula Primary School.

It was the struggles that he witnessed his father go through that motivated him to do his best at school.

“I have fond memories of my father walking all the way to school to give me lunch; he has been doing that ever since I was a little kid and he still does it up until now,” he said.

“Memories like that are what keep me going.”

He said his father used to be a bus driver but now he works on their plantation to help their family.

Raymond acknowledged God for his accomplishments throughout his primary school years. 

Coming first in class is also not something new for the 14-year-old.

“I feel very happy and thankful to God for all that he has done because if it weren’t for him I would not have been able to accomplish this. This is all part of his blessings in my life.

“God has blessed me with his many talents such as his wisdom which is everything that I will ever need to accomplish many challenges in life. I have always been in first place ever since Year 1 and for that I am very thankful,” he told Samoa Observer.

Nothing in life ever comes easy; there is a certain point when we will always go through obstacles and we are put to the test and Raymond can testify to that.

“The one main challenge that I faced which is what any other student would face is laziness. Sometimes we allow ourselves to slack down and I did that at some point. I overcame that by kept on trying my best even though I didn’t feel like doing it.

“There is a saying that goes if you do not sweat for what you are doing then you will not gain the knowledge that you are looking for. That made me work extra hard,” he added. 

Being the only child of Feagai and Pelike, Raymond understands his responsibilities towards his parents.

“Every time I got stuck the only image that I had in mind was that of my parents which is why I always tried by best, I come from a family that does not have much, so it challenges me to always work hard. I am the future of my family.”

Raymond is from Faleula and he aims to find a stable job so that he could help his family’s living condition.

“I will never be able to pay my parents back. I am indebted to them. So to get a stable job is the only goal that I have.”

By Nefertiti Matatia 16 December 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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