A total of 309 students graduated from Pacific Polytech yesterday, but it was Team Gideon that captured the spotlight.

Twenty young men and women who were once school dropouts, drug users, and street kids graduated today as part of Team Gideon at the Pacific Polytech Graduation in Suva.

Young people who once battled addiction, dropped out of school, and lived on the streets today now celebrated their academic achievements.

Team Gidion a group under the care Joe Tabuya, of the All-Nation Christian Fellowship who has mentored and guided them from troubled paths to academic success.

“I’m here because of the youths in the community that are enrolled in the Polytech. Today’s their graduation and I’m here to experience what the impossible to be possible. So, I’m feeling emotional cause I know what I’m experiencing now is something that people didn’t believe that could happen and now it had” Tabuya emphasizes.

Many of them had given up hope until they found guidance through the Gideon program, which combines faith-based mentorship with vocational training.

Among them was Monika Ruby Taleimaiwasa, who had previously dropped out of the Fiji National University was proud of herself.

“I was part of the youth group, I attended FNU during COVID. I didn’t want to study because of peer pressure. I followed most of my friends, I stayed home, I struggled, I do home chores before coming to school and before joining the team. It was April if I’m right last year I joined the team I go through a lot. I wasn’t being this much in studies. I do not focus much but I want to thank the Lord for the knowledge and wisdom” Taleimaiwasa said.

Marika Tagicakibau, another member of the group, shared a message of encouragement to other young people struggling to find direction — reminding them that it’s never too late to make the right decision.

“My advice to my fellow brothers and siters who are out a quote that says your decision will determine your destination. Good decisions you make will determine your destination if you decide bad things they will lead you to bad things, if you decide good things God will take you to great and marvellous things” Tagicakibau shared.

Their stories are a powerful reminder that every young person deserves a second chance, and you are never too far gone to turn things around.

By Joeli Ragoneliwa