The death of her seven-year-old son and 13-year-old sister in the MV Barima disaster could have brought Sallema Daniels’ university journey to a halt. Instead, even as she struggled with grief, the young mother made the difficult decision to keep going and complete the degree she had worked so hard to achieve.

The 25-year-old from Aracuru, White Water Village, Region One, was already accustomed to making sacrifices to pursue her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She studied online while teaching and raising her two sons, often travelling away from home in search of a reliable internet connection.

“There were days when I completed my assignments at a pavilion on a hill, simply because I needed a place with better connectivity to get my work done,” she recalled.

Financial difficulties and the demands of motherhood added to the pressure. In her final year, she and her partner pooled their resources to purchase Starlink internet, making it easier to attend classes and complete assignments.

But on July 18, 2026, tragedy struck. Her son, Aarave Daniels, and her younger sister, Shamera Smith, died in the MV Barima disaster. Her parents and brother survived.

“Losing Shamera and Aarave left an unimaginable emptiness. My world had changed, and finding the strength to concentrate while carrying that grief was a challenge beyond words,” she said.

With her final semester still ahead of her, Daniels chose not to abandon her dream. She credits two University of Guyana lecturers and her colleagues for giving her the understanding and support she needed to prepare for her final examinations.

The university celebrated her achievement alongside other graduands who persevered through extraordinary personal challenges. Daniels is graduating with a credit, but the milestone carries the memory of two loved ones she had hoped would be there to see her cross the stage.

“Aarave will not be there physically, but his memory will forever be part of this milestone,” she said.