An Inspiration For Her Daughters
From zero knowledge in sewing to graduating with a sewing certificate was a miracle for Tarusila Narogo Lolorua.
The 33-year-old who hails from Naibalebale Village, Viwa, Yasawa had never touched a sewing machine in her life until the day of her training.
Ms Lolorua was among the 27 other women who graduated in a sewing course from the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Center yesterday.
She said since the opening of the center she had always wished to join the centre.
Graduating was a milestone for Tarusila.
“I studied up until form six and then went to Fiji National University to do my studies in tourism but due to financial issues I had to stop and wasn’t able to go back and finish.
“After a while, I managed to get a job at one of the resorts on the coral coast until last year but the COVID-19 pandemic took it away.
“In 2016, I moved to Korolevu in Sigatoka with my small family to be with my late father.
“My husband and I being unemployed had faced many challenges. We struggle to make ends meet and have three young children. It was really hard putting food on the table, staying up to date with our rent and bills, kid’s meals and transportation expenses,” she said.
Ms Lolorua believed the circumstances were not going to change and decided not to wait anymore so she ventured into a small business in which she sold food parcels to Vatualele Island commuters.
“I finally made the decision to sell food parcels every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
At times they would be unable to meet their sales target which would result in it jeopardizing their plans for food and other basic needs for the family.
The mother of three daughters, despite all the challenges, did not lose hope and kept trying to get into the Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre programme.
She said she was lucky enough to be able to rely on her mother who decided to look after her daughters while she could join the centre for her studies.
“When I received a call for an interview, a month after I applied my heart was so overwhelmed with excitement.
“I had never touched a sewing machine before until the day we began our sewing lessons. My hands were shaking, thoughts of giving up were flooding through my mind because I was beating myself up and disappointed with myself for the mistakes I made while learning,” she said.
Ms Lolorua said her daughters were her biggest inspiration and her achievement is just another lesson for her daughters to know that a woman can be anything she desires to be.
“I pushed on to make it to this day so I can inspire my daughters. To let them know that if we step out of our comfort zone and face our fears, growth only takes place when we are challenged,” she said.
She believes women can find strength through leaning on each other and it is crucial to continue uplifting one another.
“It is about looking beyond our own insecurities and loving ourselves more so that we can share that love with other struggling women in our society..
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