Years of emotional breakdown, fatigue and sacrifices finally paid off for Adi Lina Garnett Valenitabua after she was one of the 42 new lawyers that were admitted to the bar on Friday February, 1.

The 26-year-old Nukui, Rewa native said her journey was not a bed of roses but by the help of her family and colleagues she was determined to graduate with a law degree and become a lawyer.

“Through the years I worked hard, I cried and I prayed because I wanted to make my family proud,” Ms Valenitabua said.
“I laid it in my heart that I was going to graduate & become a lawyer one day,” she said.
“I went to New Zealand to study Medicine in 2011 and after failing a unit in medical school I gave in and decided to come back to Fiji in 2013.

“It was then that I decided to take up Law and International Business and Marketing at the University of the South Pacific.”
Ms Valenitabua said she had moments where she had almost given up but it was her trust in the Lord that gave her the push to continue until she got her Degree.
“Seeing my friends and juniors from school was hard for me as they were way ahead with their studies and I felt like I was too late.”

“At times I wanted to give up and go look for work because I felt like I was too late in graduating and getting admitted,”
“But during those moments I kept my hope in Jesus, knowing that He had a plan for my life.
“I didn’t have many friends when I first started so usually, I would do things alone.
“Most times I would be ashamed but I kept reminding myself that the end will always be great if I didn’t give up.”
She attributed her success to her parents who never gave up on her and provided her the best they could provide during her years in University.
“My Parents, sibling, aunties and uncles (Mr and Mrs Gerrard Garnett & Mr and Mrs Jim Pollock) have been the back bone of my success, their financial, moral and spiritual support has made me the woman I am today,”
“I always thought of my siblings while I studied in University and as the eldest I had to work hard to set a good example for them,”
“It feels good to be awarded for your years of sacrifices and I praise God because he gave me the strength to be where I am today. I dedicate my success to my late maternal grandparents Mr and Mrs Wolseley Garnett.”

Ms Valenitabua advised youths to never let failures come in the way of their dreams and to trust in the Lord always.
“I’ve fallen but I’ve managed to pick myself up again and if you can pick yourself up again know that your heavenly father loves you and has got great plans for you and you can make it just like I did.”