radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
It was a tough seven-year journey for pupils Sidara Akalloo, who is ailing from cancer, and Sarah Hosein, who suffers from severe scoliosis.
But both pupils emerged as valedictorians as they graduated from the Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School in San Fernando, on Thursday.
Both said despite their illness, the love they received at the school was tremendous and helped them to cope with the pain.
Sidara had devoted her life to inspiring her friends at the cancer ward of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope to follow their dreams. While some of them could not write their exams or go to school, Sidara studied for SEA despite the complications of chemotherapy. She said studying for SEA gave her the focus and determination to beat her illness.
“I remember telling myself that this is a new adventure, but it has been an aggressive one with long difficult treatments and blood being taken from me, six times a day. Sometimes, I would be awakened at all hours of the night for treatment and medication and still have to get up at five am for more tests and then get ready for class,” she recalled yesterday.
“My friends, classmates, my teacher, Miss Tricia Marjadsingh, all other teachers and well-wishers, and our dear principal Miss Donna, who I dubbed my fairy Godmother because she would sometimes video call me just to ensure I was doing well. Words cannot express how I felt the day I wrote the SEA exam and my Grant school family gave me a welcome fit for a queen,” Sidara said as the audience cheered.
Meanwhile, Sarah, who is the sister of CNC3’s weather anchor Kalain Hosein, said her scoliosis never kept her from working towards her goals.
“I was diagnosed in October 2020 with a life-threatening condition requiring urgent surgery. However, life-threatening as it was, I never once allowed it to threaten me. The outpouring of love and support I received from you, my Grant School family, was tremendous. It has fuelled my recovery and 22 titanium pins later, it has given me all the strength I need, to be standing before you today,” Hosein said to loud applause.
“I can’t express how extremely grateful I am and my family and I wholeheartedly thank you,” she added.
She added: “While there will be obstacles, it is our human genetic to never give up. We have already shown that we are strong and we will succeed against all odds.”
School principal Donna Ramjohn-Khan commended all the graduates for their hard work.
“You have proven that you can beat the odds and despite the adversity, you can triumph. Today Sarah Hosein and Sidara Akalloo are shining examples of achieving success against all odds,” Ramjohn-Khan said.
She said both girls were persistent despite their challenges.