For Jasmine T. Onesemo Matautia, family came first. After completing her final year at Maluafou College in 2019, she made the difficult decision to quit school to care for her mother.
“I had just finished college, and I felt I needed to stay home,” said Jasmine. “My mum needed me.”
But her mother never stopped encouraging her to return to school. That encouragement became the push Jasmine needed to enrol at the National University of Samoa the following year in 2020.
“It was not an easy way to go. I struggled. But I was also confident because I knew that my mother was my prayer warrior,” she said.
“Now that I have earned this degree, the credit belongs to my mother. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even be able to go on and finish school.”
Jasmine was among the hundreds of students who graduated last week at the National University of Samoa’s annual graduation ceremony. She received her Bachelor of Education in Primary.
She is from Malaemalu, Falealili, and is the daughter of Sasa’e Lemusu and Sipapa Matautia.
Jasmine is now studying at Malua Theological College alongside her husband, Talalelei Solomona.
Her message to students who feel discouraged or overwhelmed was short and clear.
“Commit yourself to the Lord and He will help you all.”
