BY SHOREYANN RAGOSO
Zerrick Pentani, a student from Marovo Island in the Western Province, is one of the 33 students receiving a special award for his strong performance in the Diploma of Community Based Rehabilitation at the High Achievers Award night at Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
Studying under the Faculty of Nursing, Medical and Health Sciences, Pentani is driven by a deep passion to support people with disabilities back home.
Growing up in the village, Zerrick often saw vulnerable individuals with disabilities stuck at home, lacking help to improve their lives.
“I wonder how they could reach the same level as those of us who are well educated,” he shared.
His studies have taught him practical ways to assist at the community level, including government programs.
These hits close to home, he has a granny that lives with a disability and his granny doesn’t know many things, and he often shares what he learns to his granny.
That is also one reason for him to pursue this course because it is in his interest especially dealing with disabilities.
Despite tough moments made him consider quitting, Zerrick pushes on thinking of his granny and the many overlooked people in villages and the communities he visited.
Organizations often ignore them, he notes, fueling his determination.
“If I work in the ministries one day, I’ll make sure they get attention,” Pentani said.
He also urges respect for those with mental health challenges on Honiara’s streets, calling for advocacy over labels like “mental”.
As a young man from the village coming to town for school, Pentani faced challenges like no bus fare and peer pressure.
It happens that Zerrick attended Mbokona Adventist Church where he was welcomed by the youth boys and they let him stay on the compound.
And that’s how he manages to overcome his hurdles.
“The church shaped me, and coming to the school no longer worries me because there’s a family in town,” explained Pentani.
Worship there brings him blessings, reflected in his good grades.
Receiving the award for Zerrick personally does not make him proud; he was quite happy honoring his parents’ sacrifices and his own discipline.
His biggest support system was his father, a former pastor who is now self-employed selling eucalyptus oil.
That income from the oil covered Zerrick’s first year, and through “God’s grace” he was awarded a scholarship completes his education.
Family prayers and his partners’ encouragement keep him going.
Pentani advises aspiring health science students, “put God first, are many paths like nursing, doctors, or community-based rehabilitation choose what fits.
And treat every patient fairly and remember your roots.”
Looking ahead, he plans a Bachelor of Science at SINU Panatina campus, followed by studies in inclusive education for disabilities.
“It’s big abroad but new here in Solomon Islands,” said Pentani.
He dreams of helping wheelchair users attend regular schools and equipping universities for disabled students.
“I want to promote inclusion in our country that is the next step I will strive for it,” says Zerrick.
