Copyright inewsguyana
Graduation is always a moment of pride, but for a special group of students from the University of Guyana, it represents something far greater. They are among several students who are the first in their families to acquire a university education in a journey which saw them breaking through barriers, overcoming adversities and turning long-held dreams into reality. Their journeys have been marked by sacrifice, resilience, and faith. Each of them comes from a different part of the country, including from far-flung indigenous communities, yet they share a common thread, the determination to rise above their challenges and set a strong foundation for future successes. These path-breakers have redefined what it means to persevere. Their stories speak not only of academic triumphs but of courage, community, and the power of believing that one’s background does not determine one’s destiny. For Ishwari Misir who hails from Woodley Park Village, West Coast of Berbice, this accomplishment is deeply personal and emotional. Ishwari recently completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies after four demanding years, balancing a full-time job and long daily commutes to and from the University’s Turkeyen Campus. She explained that there were many nights she felt exhausted after the long commute, but she never allowed fatigue to silence her dream. “It’s an emotional and proud moment for me to be the first in my family to graduate from university. This achievement isn’t just mine, it represents the hopes and sacrifices of my family, especially my mother, who worked hard to give us the best opportunities she could,” she proudly said. Ishwari hopes to continue her studies at the Master’s level, driven by a passion for the environment and a desire to show others that determination can overcome any obstacle. Sakinah Ghannie grew up between Lusignan, Kitty and Non-Pareil. Entering the University of Guyana at just sixteen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic was exciting and overwhelming. For her, everything felt unfamiliar – the systems, the expectations, even the virtual classrooms. “I didn’t know how anything worked. I even joined a final-year class by mistake during my first semester,” she recalled with a laugh. But beneath the humour were moments of doubt and isolation. With no one at home familiar with university life, she often felt lost. “I learnt that it’s okay to start without knowing everything. What matters is having the courage to learn and keep going,” she said. Supported by her parents, Melinda Alfred and Rahim Ghannie, and her aunt, Dr Indhira Harry, Sakinah gradually found her rhythm. She built friendships through her faculty’s Geography Society and discovered her voice and confidence along the way. Her proudest moment came during a field trip to Region Two, where hands-on learning brought her studies to life. As the first in her family to graduate, she hopes to pursue a Master’s degree and inspire others to embrace uncertainty as part of growth. Christal Craig, from Tucville in Georgetown, also overcame her share of challenges while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Her mother’s belief in education was her guiding light. “Being the first in my family to graduate is a milestone I hold with immense pride. My mother always taught me the value of learning, and I wanted to make her proud,” she said. Her final year proved the most difficult, with research setbacks and countless obstacles that tested her patience. Yet she refused to give up. “There were moments I felt overwhelmed, but I stopped and thought about all the sacrifices my mom had made for me to reach this point,” Christal shared. One of Christal’s most memorable moments was participating in the 2025 Chinese Bridge Competition, where she placed third after performing a dance routine that reawakened an old passion. The experience reminded her that university life is not just about academics, it is also about growth and rediscovery. She now hopes to specialise in environmental and natural resources management and use her story to encourage others to persist through fear and self-doubt. Ruth Patterson, who will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies, hails from the Indigenous community of Laluni, about 20 km from the Linden-Soesdyke Highway. She was faced with some of the most daunting obstacles of all. With no reliable internet access in her area, Ruth had to rely solely on mobile data to attend classes, complete assignments, and sit exams. “There were countless times when my signal would drop in the middle of a lecture or an important discussion; I always felt like I was trying to catch up,” she said. Moving between relatives’ homes to find a stronger connection took a physical and emotional toll, and at one point, she nearly gave up. It was faith that kept her grounded. “Jeremiah 29:11 reminded me that God had not brought me this far to leave me stranded. There was purpose in the process even when I couldn’t see it,” She said. Ruth found comfort and strength in the friendships she made through the ‘Uni Buddies group’ and her classmates, who became her extended family. They studied together, supported one another, and pushed through exhaustion and doubt. “The friendships, faith, and love of my family carried me to the finish line,” she said. Ruth now plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Management and use her education to promote responsible and sustainable development. Her hope is that young people from remote communities will see that their circumstances need not limit their potential. For Orwin Anthony Corlette, who grew up in Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice, education has always been his way of serving others. He will be graduating with an Associate Degree in Social Work, becoming the first in his family to earn a university education. “This achievement holds deep significance for me and my family. It represents hope, perseverance, and the power of determination,” he said. Balancing full-time teaching with university studies was no easy task. At times, his classes at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and UG overlapped, forcing him to juggle assignments, work duties, and late-night revisions. “There were moments when I felt completely drained, but I stayed focused on my purpose which is to make a difference in the lives of others,” Orwin shared. His motivation came from his students and the belief that education can transform lives. Orwin hopes to advance his studies in Social Work and continue contributing to the development of communities across Guyana. “I want my story to show young people that no matter where you start, success is within reach when you stay disciplined, faithful, and focused.” As they prepare to walk across the stage at the University of Guyana’s 59th Convocation which will be held in November and early December, these five graduates will carry more than their degrees, they carry stories of faith, resilience and triumph. Ishwari Misir, Sakinah Ghannie, Christal Craig, Ruth Patterson, and Orwin Anthony Corlette, are not just first-generation graduates, they are trailblazers. Their success will echo not only within their families, but across communities and throughout Guyana, inspiring many others to believe that their dreams are possible too.
