Sisters turn sacrifices into academic success

Devika and Nandani Baljit

Two sisters are about to make family history. Devika and Nandani Baljit will soon walk across the stage at the University of Guyana, becoming the first in their family to graduate.

For the Baljits, this achievement didn’t come easy. It was built on countless sacrifices by their parents and the sisters’ own determination to rise above every obstacle.

“When I started university, I did a year of chemistry, then switched over to Medical Laboratory Science. And now, within two weeks of graduation, it still feels so unreal,” Devika, 23, said. “This degree… it’s not just a paper for me — it’s a reflection of my hard work, something that I prayed for. This degree took everything out of me; it made me realise I had strength I didn’t even know I had. It’s not just a moment for me but for my entire family, and to walk to the stage with my sister feels like a whole blessing for a family,” she told Ignite News.

From their quiet countryside home, their parents believed in them even when others doubted sending a young girl to study far from home.

“I would say my mom sacrifices — that woman never did her nails, her hair, went to a salon, or spoiled herself. She just kept making all these sacrifices so that we could have a proper tertiary education. She invested in our future. And my dad… he even sold his most loved cows to help pay my university fees. I would say that he believed in me and trusted me the most to send me to study,” Devika recalled.

The family’s support extended beyond money. “They’d send me cooked meals, prepped vegetables, even bread and milk — just so I wouldn’t have to spend my allowance money,” she adds.

Nandani, 20, followed her sister’s example but carved her own path, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy. Most of her classes were online, which came with its own hurdles.

“I decided to follow in her footsteps, but in my own way. I did what I liked — accountancy. It’s one of the proudest moments of my life because it reflects my hard work and I hope it inspires younger generations too. We had internet issues and frequent blackouts, but my mom bought me a backup battery so I could still do my exams. She always said, ‘There’s no shortcut to success — it comes through hard work,’” Nandani related.

Though separated by distance, the sisters kept each other grounded.

“We’d call each other every day. She’d help with assignments, make sure I get them done, and assist me with whatever difficulties I had with the platform Moodle,” Nandani recalled.

Now, as graduation day nears, the Baljit family prepares for a moment they’ve dreamed of: two daughters walking across the stage, side by side, as university graduates.

Their journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the quiet power of family support — proving that love, sacrifice, and determination can transform dreams into reality.