Two scholars from Savai‘i are charting different academic paths in education while sharing a common goal, which is returning their learning to uplift future generations in Samoa.

Both recipients of support from the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation are pursuing studies at the University of the South Pacific, balancing academic demands with family responsibilities, teaching aspirations, and personal challenges.

They were among the 14 students studying at the USP Samoa Campus and one from the USP Savaii Centre to receive fully funded scholarships for the 2026 academic year from the Yazaki Kizuna Foundation. 

Faamafu Semanu, a Master of Education student and teacher at Itu i Tane College, said the scholarship has played a key role in strengthening her teaching practice while advancing her postgraduate studies.

She described the challenge of managing full-time teaching duties alongside university coursework, noting the difficulty of preparing daily lesson plans while continuing her own academic work. Semanu is also four months pregnant, adding further responsibility to an already demanding schedule.

“Although it has not been an easy journey, it has been a meaningful and worthwhile experience for me as both a teacher and a student,” she said, while acknowledging the support of her family, colleagues, and USP Alafua coordinator Patrick Gordon.

For Netta Peni, a Bachelor of Arts in Education student majoring in Geography, the scholarship represents both opportunity and family sacrifice. Originally from Savai‘i, she relocated to the USP Alafua campus to expand her learning environment.

Peni said her passion for teaching is rooted in her family’s strong background in education, particularly her grandmother, whose dedication as a teacher inspired her career path.

“Coming from a family of teachers, I have always been deeply inspired by my grandmother, who was an educator,” she said, adding that her move to Alafua significantly improved her academic experience by allowing her to engage with more students in her field of study.

She also acknowledged the sacrifices made by her parents, especially as the eldest of four siblings, noting her father’s role as the sole breadwinner and her family’s hope that she would complete her studies and support her younger siblings in the future.

Both students said the scholarship support has eased financial pressures and strengthened their commitment to education, with each expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue their studies while preparing for future roles as educators.