As the University of Guyana (UG) prepares to host its 2025 graduation ceremonies, several families will share an extraordinary sense of pride. Among the three thousand six hundred graduands who will proudly walk the university’s graduation stage in November, are three sets of siblings whose academic journeys tell stories of faith, perseverance, and love. Their achievements are not merely personal milestones but collective triumphs that speak to the strength of family, community, and determination in the face of challenges.
For the Jarvis brothers of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, this graduation season will be used for deep reflection. Jerron, Justin, and Andrew Jarvis will graduate from the University of Guyana together fulfilling a dream their late mother inspired.
At 25, Jerron Jarvis will graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. “At the end of my first year, my youngest sibling died. By second year, I lost a close friend to cancer, and later, my mother suffered a major stroke. It broke me completely, but it was then I found God. He gave me peace when nothing else could,” Jerron said.
Jerron’s grief deepened when his mother, Penelope Sertimer-Jarvis, a nurse for over 30 years, passed away just two months before he is set to graduate. “She always told me I’d be a doctor one day. I wanted to work alongside her…doctor and nurse, mother and son, and though she isn’t here, I know she’s proud,” he said with much pride.
Despite the unimaginable loss, Jerron persevered, crediting his faith, supportive friends, and siblings for helping him through. “God carried me. Even when I felt empty, He gave me strength.” He now hopes to pursue a career in family medicine, guided by compassion and purpose.
For Andrew Jarvis, aged 33, the journey was also one of balancing family, work, and faith. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Health and Safety. An auto electrician with the Ministry of Public Works for 15 years, and a track coach, Andrew was inspired by his workplace and wife to further his education. “It was hard juggling everything, especially after losing our mother, but with God’s mercy, he pulled me through,” Andrew said.
Together, the Jarvis brothers embody perseverance through pain, proof that with faith as their compass, even the darkest storms can lead to brighter days.
From long commutes to evening classes, financial strain, and balancing work and family life, Julio and Amelia Bakhsh’s success represents determination in its purest form. The siblings will proudly walk the graduation stage this November with Julio receiving a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Exploration Geology, and Amelia earning a Bachelor of Science in General Psychology from the University of Guyana.
The Bakhsh siblings, who grew up on the East Coast of Demerara, are two of the youngest siblings in a family of seven. “It’s like a hallmark to our family,” Amelia reflected. “Julio and I are the last two to finish our degrees, and it means so much given where we came from and where we are now.” Julio echoed the sentiment, describing the moment as one of great pride for their mother and entire family.
After completing a diploma in Geological Engineering in 2016, Julio began working at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to support his family. “It was difficult because I recently had a child, and most classes were in the evening, but my wife played a crucial role in my success, and I’m graduating top of my programme with a 3.8 GPA.”
Amelia’s path was equally challenging. Financial struggles initially delayed her degree, but she seized the opportunity to acquire a government scholarship in 2022. Working full-time as a teacher while studying, Amelia often attended late classes and prepared lesson plans deep into the night. Her efforts have paid off, she will graduate with a 3.7 GPA and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.
United by love and faith the Bakhsh siblings’ success is a powerful reminder that no obstacle is too great when determination leads the way.
From a small village in Berbice to the University of Guyana’s grand stage, sisters Devika and Nandani Baljit have achieved what once seemed a distant dream. The Baljit sisters, aged 23 and 20, will soon graduate: Devika with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, and Nandani with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
Both sisters, who hail from Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, are the first in their family to graduate from university. “This moment feels like a dream we all shared, Devika said emotionally.
“My parents made countless sacrifices, and this achievement belongs to all of us. It reflects our hard work and determination but also serves as inspiration for others to build a brighter future,” Nandani added.
Their journey began during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when all classes were online. Frequent power outages and poor internet connectivity tested their patience, but the sisters refused to give up. As in-person classes resumed, Devika moved to the university dorms in Georgetown, while Nandani continued studying from Berbice. The physical separation was difficult, but it taught them independence and perseverance.
“Being away from family was the hardest part. I had to learn to manage everything on my own while keeping up with my studies,” Devika shared. Yet, through the challenges, they remained each other’s motivation, sharing a Google Calendar to track assignments and check on each other’s progress.
Through sleepless nights and long commutes, their faith in God and their parents’ encouragement became their foundation. Devika hopes to work at the New Amsterdam Hospital Laboratory and advocate for better healthcare in her community, while Nandani plans to become a certified professional accountant and mentor young people to believe in their potential. Their story reflects not only academic achievement but sisterhood.
Across different regions, disciplines, and life experiences, these siblings share one defining truth: the power of unity and faith. As they cross the graduation stage this November, their caps may fly individually, but their success rise together. (Feature by the Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC), Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of Guyana.)
