Studying does not stop when you get older says Melenau Lino, who was awarded a Certificate in Cross Cultural Supervision last week.
The award came after she obtained her Bachelor of Applied Social Work last year.
Lino, who obtained her qualifications from Manukau Institute of Technology, said she was now looking for a Master of Arts programme.
“I am working full time as a Social Worker in Schools after my degree and still pursuing further studies,” she told Kaniva News.
“It is never too late. I am hoping our young people do not give up.
“Studying does not stop when you get older,” said Lino, who left school 23 years ago.
“It continues into adulthood and a little life experience goes a long way in tertiary study.”
Lino said the work her father did for the community influenced her.
“My influence came from the work that he did and also from older brother Unaloto who graduated with a Social Work in Bi-Culturalism degree from Te Wananga o Aotearoa in 2014.
“That influenced me to study and this field is my passion, working with young people.”
She said she struggled, but her musical talent helped her a lot while studying.
Lino, a notable singer in the Tongan and Samoan communities in New Zealand, said her musical talents helped her financially.
“It also kept me focussed and with my self belief that I could achieve my goals.
“My father worked in the Tongan community in the Maungakiekie area till he passed away in 2009.
“My children have watched me struggle and overcame so many barriers. That will build their resilience to hopefully push them to one day pursue tertiary studies in their field of choice.”
Last week staff at MIT held a 2018 MIT Pasifika Graduation Thanksgiving Celebration to mark the Pacific student’s achievements.
The event was held at the Sir Noel Robinson Conference Centre at the Vodafone Event at Great South Road in Manukau city.
Successful students came from a variety of Island backgrounds, including Niueans, Fijians, Tuvalauans, Cook Islanders, Tongans and Samoans.
Speaking in their own languages, community leaders praised their achievements and encouraged them to never give up.
The event was accompanied by islands entertainments performed by each ethnicity.
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