AT the age of 49, Onika Meusa will be the first person in her family to graduate from the University of Guyana.

The proud graduand will be crossing the stage later this month at UG’s annual graduation ceremony along with thousands of other persons.

Sharing her inspirational story with this publication, Meusa said that after emerging from a painful and abusive marriage, she found herself standing at daunting crossroads.

The path to a new life seemed uncertain, and with negative voices around her, chanting “You’re too old to start over,” and “Higher education is unrealistic now”, Meusa said each word felt heavy and deep. It was for this reason that she knew that shrinking in fear or settling for less was not an option.

She clung to an internal compass that guided her for years, the powerful words of Marianne Williamson, which said: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

According to Meusa, “Those words became my guiding light. They reminded me that my potential was limitless, untouched by age, circumstance, or past hardships, a force I was meant to manifest in the world.”

Surrounded by encouragement from her children, stepmother, and the invaluable guidance of one of her lecturers, Barbara Holder during time at the university, she embarked on the journey to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.

This is a field that resonated deeply with my experiences and desire to create meaningful change in the lives of others.

The journey was not easy, however, the excited graduand said she balanced family responsibilities, personal healing, and the rigorous demands of returning to academia later in life.

She shared that there were nights filled with self-doubt, moments when the weight of uncertainty felt unbearable, and times when quitting seemed like the easier path. Through every challenge, Meusa reminded herself that her past struggles did not define her.

Meusa affirmed, “Each late-night study session, every lecture attended with determination, was a step toward reclaiming my life and living the truth of Williamson’s words: by letting my light shine, I was giving others permission to shine as well.”

Continuing, she said, “Today, I am proud to graduate with distinction at age 49, a milestone that symbolises resilience, courage, and the power of embracing one’s full potential. My journey is proof that age is never a barrier to growth, and that faith, determination, and perseverance can transform even the darkest chapters into stories of triumph. Through my story, I hope to inspire others at the University of Guyana and beyond to embrace their potential, rise above fear, and shine brightly, no matter the challenges they face,” Meusa remarked.