Mere Sotia, 33, has used her work experience from numerous jobs to assist the unemployed youths of her village in Nasea in Macuata Province.  

Having worked as a pre-school teacher at Nasea Play Centre, clerk at Fiji Roads Authority, salesgirl at Jack’s of Fiji, admin staff of Lincoln Refrigeration and sales officer for RC Manubhai, Ms Sotia now decided to venture into something different.  

Last month she revived the Nasea Youth Club consisting of 25 members and Seaking Investment, her own business which she closed due to COVID-19.  

“The members are going out to sea to catch and supply fish to my company and then from there we will sell it and roll it as an income generating project,” Ms Sotia said. 

“It involves lot of hard work, time and resources, but I want to do something for my own people and hope they will remember my goodness.”  

The eldest of four siblings started her business in 2013 with the support of her extended family members, but due to COVID-19, the business had to close.  

After losing her younger brother in a diving mishap, she decided to look after her parents managing the business located in the village.  

“I would like to advise young people to never give up in life because God has already blessed us with talents to use to survive in this world,” she said.  

“For me, I feel the need to share the blessing of knowledge like how Jesus shared to his disciples who once used sea resources for livelihood.” 

Story By: Shratika Naidu 

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj