A Graduation story about love and support
Ask Leana, and Satyum Rampersad how they were able to achieve success in their UWI journey, and they will tell you that while it was an emotional rollercoaster, the time was cushioned by the unconditional love and support they had for each other. Their journey began in 2012 when they met at the UWI Open Campus while pursuing a Certificate in Social Work, and it continued at the St Augustine Campus a year later. Following lecturers’ advice, and using the Open Campus Certificate as a steppingstone, Leana applied to the St Augustine Campus to do a Major in Psychology, while Satyum made a last-minute application and got through to read for a degree in Public Sector Management (Special). Not a semester into their first year at UWI St Augustine, they decided to get married and subsequently took a year off to enjoy newly wedded bliss. They restarted their UWI journey in 2014.
Working full time jobs and going to the Evening University, their calendars were packed, and their schedules did not leave them much breathing room, but their love for each other and support was always able to give the other that extra needed push forward. 2017 brought a new addition to their lives: their beautiful son Prince Shivum. Due to the physical needs of new motherhood, Leana decided that it was best to take some time off and focus on her son, but her mind never strayed far from UWI. She was left with the hard decision of balancing her work life, family life, and school life, and with that, a sacrifice had to be made. With the support of Satyum, she quit her job and re-entered school, this time changing her degree programme to Sociology, with a minor in Psychology.
Once again, the couple were journeying through higher-ed together, but they were not alone. Due to certain constraints they often had to take their son to school and juggle their schedules so that when one was in a lecture, the other would take care of him. They were even supported by Dr Anand Rampersad who allowed them to split his lecture time in half; Leana taking the first hour, Satyum the second. This level of support from the faculty and staff throughout their time at The UWI allowed them to press on. When Covid-19 measures caused the campus to move online, it was indeed a blessing in disguise for the couple as it removed the daily arduous commute from Princes Town to St Augustine; giving them even more time at home to take care of their son and pursue their studies. Satyum’s online schedule was not as booked up as Leana’s, but she is grateful for his presence every day, “He waited for me! I think Satyum could have graduated in 2020, but he waited.” Even during this time, they both kept abreast of each other’s schedules and encouraged each other to keep going.
“We just don’t want to settle, there is always room for improvement and betterment and that is what we are striving for,” Satyum says when he is asked about their future. For this young couple, progress is still progress, no matter how small, or how slow. In 2021 they have achieved what they had set out to achieve so many years earlier and they will continue to push forward to become better; to do better. With the love and support that they have for each other, nothing is impossible.
