Awerika Continues Family Legacy
Kiribati Fa’amelea Joan Awerika was emotional. She was miles away from home on Friday when she was admitted to the bar in Suva after graduating as a lawyer from the University of the South Pacific (USP).
She was among 42 lawyers from the USP School of Law in the admission ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel (GPH).
It also meant she fulfilled her late mother’s wishes.
Her mother, Pole Atanraoi-Reim, who in 1992 became Kiribati’s first woman to become a lawyer, wanted her daughter to follow in her footsteps.
She died in 2018 when Ms Awerika was in her last year at secondary school.
“For starters, I am very excited and nervous at the same time,” Ms Awerika said.
The fourth child in a family of seven said her achievement meant a lot for her siblings, village and country.
“I’ve made my mother proud. This is the highlight of my day, but it is sad that she’s not here. I am thankful and happy that I’ve done what I set out to do.”
Ms Awerika used her grief over her mother’s loss as motivation to achieve her goal.
“It was only when I began pursuing my passion for law when I was informed about my mother being the first female lawyer in Kiribati. She studied in PNG, practiced in Kiribati, came to Fiji then went on to Pohnpei, the Solomon Islands before going back home,” she said.
Being away from home, Ms Awerika said one of the many causes of her struggle to maintain her studies, was peer pressure.
“For someone who comes from another country, blending in could mean tagging along to parties and other events,” she said.
Sometimes declining could paint you as an outcast.”
Ms Awerika looks forward to serving her country before she can return to Fiji to further her studies in law.
Acting Chief Justice of Fiji Salesi Temo, encouraged the lawyers to practice what they learned and treat every opportunity as a learning experience.
“As you enjoy and celebrate your degree, always remember that learning doesn’t stop there, but it is an everyday thing,” he said in his speech.
“Keep what you have been taught dear and close to your heart and always remember a code of conduct is put in place to keep you inline.
“It is imperative that this is followed accordingly as you represent, not only your firms, but the legal system of Fiji.”
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