The loss of her baby, followed by the death of her mother, left Onniss Anthony questioning whether she had the strength to continue her university studies. At times, the 30-year-old says, simply getting through the day was a struggle.

A registered nurse at the Linden Hospital Complex, Anthony was balancing the demands of her clinical work with studies at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus when tragedy struck.

In 2025, a complicated pregnancy ended in the loss of her baby, leaving her hospitalised and needing time to recover physically and emotionally. She had to withdraw from her summer courses and complete them during the regular semester.

Then, in June 2026, she lost her mother after a period of illness.

“There were moments when I questioned whether I had the emotional capacity to continue, particularly after experiencing the loss of my baby and subsequently losing my mother. There were days when I was simply trying to get through the day,” she recalled.

Through it all, Anthony leaned on her faith, her husband, church and colleagues. She singled out her twin friends, Sherry and Sherryan, who are also graduating, for helping her stay on track.

“When I struggled to remain focused or found myself emotionally withdrawn, they stepped in, encouraged me, prayed with me and helped me keep up with my academic responsibilities,” she said.

Her mother's belief in her abilities also remained a source of strength. Now, as Anthony prepares to graduate, one of her first thoughts is of the woman who will not be there to witness the moment.

“My first thought was, ‘I actually made it!’ I immediately thought about my mother and wished she was here to witness this milestone. I know she would have been incredibly proud.”

The University of Guyana celebrated Anthony among its graduands whose determination carried them through deeply personal challenges to achieve their academic goals.