Sandra Isirima began her Master’s degree in September 2018, thought graduating with her husband and their four young boys by her side
Her husband, Michael fell ill and diagnosed with stage four desmoplastic small round cell rumour cancer
She secured a job with Concentrix in Belfast
Sandra Isirima, 28, began her Master’s degree in September 2018. She thought she’d be graduating with her husband Michael and their four young boys by her side.
Michael was very helpful of her dream to study for a Master’s degree (MSc) in Leadership for Sustainable Development from the School of Biological Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast. At the time, he was about to finish his PhD at the nearby University of Ulster.
Nonetheless only three months after Sandra, originally from Nigeria, started her course, Michael fell ill and diagnosed with stage four desmoplastic small round cell rumour cancer (in the stomach). The couple overwhelmed when told he had just a few months to live, passed away on 22 November 2019, at the age of 34.
Regardless of his illness, Michael desired to make certain that Sandra kept studying.
Firstly, she laboured after his death, but then again always remembered what Michael had said to her about her degree.
Yesterday (28 July) Sandra graduated from her course and says although it has been hard, she had a huge amount of support from her tutors at the School of Biological Sciences.
She at present secured a job with Concentrix in Belfast, which means she will fail to attend the actual ceremony today. The ceremony streamed virtually because of the current coronavirus status quo.
When she finishes work, she plans to stream the event at home and order takeaway to celebrate with her four boys.
Looking to the future, she said: ‘I am so excited to start my new job. After my graduation, I will focus on building my career, being a great mum and trying my best to give my kids the best in life. I plan to grow in my career and excel greatly. We hope for a better and brighter future.’
