Twenty-four-year-old Vaafusuaga Ayrton Afamasaga Soonalole of Siumu, Fasitoo-tai, and Alamagoto has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Samoa.
He was also among the 200 graduates of the University of the South Pacific, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
Speaking to Samoa Global News, the 24-year-old said the journey was far from easy, requiring many sacrifices and overcoming numerous challenges along the way.
“O faafitauli lava tele taimi e manao ai e tafao i uo, leai se taimi e fai ai mea e manao ai, ona o le aoga,” he said.
Vaafusuaga studied full-time online through the University of the South Pacific for four and a half years.
Asked what inspired him to pursue a career in law, he said he grew up watching his father help people both as a police officer and later as a lawyer.
“I lo’u tuputupu a’e sa ou vaai lava I le tele o le aoga o le galuega faaloia e fesoasoani ai I tagata, ma sa ou vaai ai foi I lo’u tama ao galue faaleoleo e oo lava I le taimi sa avea ai ma loia,” he said.
“O au sa ave la’u science ae ina ua ou maitauina le taua tele o le galuega faaloia sa suia ai loa mai le science ae aoga faaloia loa, lea ua taunuu ma le manuia.”
Asked how he felt after reaching this milestone, Vaafusuaga said he was grateful to God for guiding him throughout his journey.
“Ia e faafetai a I le Atua ona ua I’u ma le manuia le faamoemoe e ui lava sa tele faafitauli, ae e talitonu lava o le alofa o le Atua lea ua taunuu ma le manuia ai lenei faamoemoe.”
Since January this year, Vaafusuaga has been undertaking legal observation and training at the Office of the Attorney General. He will continue his career with the Attorney General’s Office, serving as a prosecutor.
He is the second child of Deputy President of the Lands and Titles Court, Afamasaga Michael Soonalole, and Melesete Taulā- Soonalole. The couple have four children.
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