A student who arrived in Cyprus three years ago as a refugee from Congo has won a place at the University of Cyprus, Palouriotissa Lyceum announced in a Facebook post.
Marveille arrived in Cyprus with her mother and brother, Romy, without knowing a single word of Greek, the school said. Over those same three years, she learned the language, graduated from the school and secured her place at the university.
The post added that Marveille and her brother lost their mother during that period, following her fight with cancer.
Teachers, students, parents, the Parents’ Association, residents of Palouriotissa and Achilleas Kaimakliou all rallied around the family throughout the ordeal, the school said.
The post also marked further good news: also pictured alongside Marveille were Evita Fanti, who also secured a place at the University of Cyprus, and Kosmas Andreou. The school congratulated Romy on his recruitment by the Kapodistrias company.
Many of its students pursue their studies without private tutoring, either by choice or because of their circumstances, the school said, with most also working daily to support their families’ incomes.
In its post, the school wrote: “You cannot imagine how proud you make us,” adding that the achievements of Marveille and her fellow students gave meaning to its own mission.