A journey that began eleven years ago is finally entering its final lap for David Tafirobo. His story is marked by broken dreams, divine detours, and an unshakable resolve.
Today, the man from Folobaeko village in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands, carries two titles that rarely sit on the same shoulders โ a Priest and Law Student.
Born into a family where love was plentiful but resources were scarce, Tafirobo watched his father struggle as a self-employed labourer and his mother toil as a primary school teacher. However, the foundation of his world was shaken early on when his parents divorced.
Tafirobo said despite the various setback that came his way, he remained steadfast in his faith.ย
โAfter my parents separated, I was kicked out from school after six months for not being able to pay my school fees,โ Tafirobo said. โDuring that time, I wandered around in the community, thinking that all my dreams were shattered because I had no one to support me.โ
โDespite all the ups and downs, I leaned into a life of prayer, anchored by a family that reminded me that while earthly circumstances change, faith remains constant.โ
Studying law was not his first childhood passion though. Tafirobo once dreamed of serving with the Melanesian Brotherhood.
โAt first I want to become a missionary like the Melanesian Brotherhood, where I can go from village to village preaching the Good News of Christ, heal the sick, and pray for people,โ said.ย
โHowever, as I grew up and reflected on my own people and my family, I felt more compelled to become a lawyer.โ
His breakthrough came in 2014 with a Government scholarship to study Law at The University of the South Pacificโs (USP) Emalus Campus in Vanuatu. Between culture shock and the pressures of peers, Tafirobo admitted that the transition from high school to university was tough.
โI faced a few obstacles that resulted in my scholarship lapsing and being left with quite a lot of units to complete. In 2018, I withdrew from studies and sought employment to find a job to pay for my school fees.โ
During this period, Tafirobo said a spiritual well opened. In 2020, he sat for the theology entry exam and was selected by the Anglican Church to study at the Airahu Trinity School of Theology.
โIt was not an easy decision to make, especially for my family, who looked up to me and the aspirations of becoming the first lawyer in the family. The news about me going to do theology studies did not sit well with them,โ he added.
โWith the odds and the challenges, I faced, I had to go with my conviction that maybe it was Godโs call for me to pursue a law degree and to become a missionary.โ
While most would have been content with their new clerical calling, he made a bold decision to return to finish his Law degree in 2022.
โWhen I was at All Saints Parish, I wrote a letter to the bishops under the diocese of central Melanesia and met them personally to seek permission, so that I could resume my LLB studies. Without wasting time, I went to the USP SAS office in Honiara to enquire about my eligibility to resume study. With great relief, I was told that I am still eligible to resume.โ
Now a priest, and soon-to-be Law graduate, Tafiroboโs advice is simple:
โAll I can say to students who are still pursuing their dreams to become a lawyer or any other works of life is that Education is power. Do not let the negative thoughts ruin your dreams. Whatever situations in life you face, take them as a challenge to prepare you for tomorrow,โ he shared.
โAs someone who was raised in a broken home/family, I want to be an advocate for my brothers and sisters or children who also go through broken homes/families. Please do not allow these issues to determine your future. One day they will be gone from this life. Whatever decisions we make today, good or bad, will determine our future for tomorrow.โ
He is expected to graduate with his Bachelor of Laws from USP this year.
-ENDS-
[USP Press Release]
