“Both my boys were there to see me graduate with a degree after going through some tough years as a full time student and solo parent. My marriage ended three years earlier and I took my boys full-time. I left my career as a chef to pursue a three year teaching degree so that I could be there for them. My boys never went hungry, they always had food in their lunch boxes and a roof over their heads, but we went without a lot and learnt how to get by on very little. It was a humbling experience. The problems got me down and there were moments which almost had me quit and go back to being a chef again but I pushed through and I am glad I did. Walking down from that stage to my youngest boy jumping into my arms was an amazing feeling!”
