Koroitaitai finds purpose in social work

For Karalaini Koroitaitai, the journey from motherhood and personal challenges to social work and community service has shaped her commitment to empowering women and young people.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection welfare officer is based in Nausori and is from Naibalebale, Viwa, Yasawa.

Ms Koroitaitai is involved in community work, focusing on supporting and empowering women and young people.

“I do something that will make a difference, and I invest in community work and also empowering women and young people,” Ms Koroitaitai said.

Humble beginnings

She said her parents worked long shifts in the hotel industry, which meant she spent limited time with them.

“The only time they would see us was when we were asleep,” she said.

Ms Koroitaitai said the experience influenced her decision about the type of career she wanted to pursue.

She later faced further challenges, including the death of her mother.

As a mother of three, she continued to pursue her education while managing her responsibilities at home.

She returned to study through the Matua Programme in 2018 and later received a National Toppers Scholarship, which enabled her to pursue a double major in Psychology and Social Work.

“Education provided a sense of direction during a difficult period in my life,” she said.

“There were a lot of things happening, but my education was something that kept me focused.”

Financial difficulties also became part of her educational journey.

While she was studying and not working, she approached university officials for assistance with outstanding fees and committed to repaying the support through her allowance.

“I had to look for other ways to support myself and I am glad I asked for help to the right people,” she said.

She eventually completed her studies and began volunteering as a social worker in Nasinu.

From volunteer to welfare officer

Ms Koroitaitai spent six months volunteering before securing a permanent position in the social work field.

“This work piqued my interest to help youths and empower women in our communities,” she said.

Ms Koroitaitai said she wanted to create a safe space for women and represent them in any way she could.

“I want to be the voices of the unheard which are the women, and I want to build a platform where they can share their own experiences and perspectives,” she said.

She recently joined the Parliament Speaker’s Debate in Suva to learn how the system works and how she could make a difference.

“For me, it really speaks volumes about where Fiji is going, and I’m really glad that our leaders are recognising the input of women and mothers,” she said.

Motivation

Drawing from her own experience, Ms Koroitaitai encouraged women and young mothers who may have left school, experienced an unplanned pregnancy or faced other setbacks not to view those circumstances as the end of their opportunities.

She encouraged women to identify their skills, pursue available programmes and consider further education or training.

“There are a lot of things you can do, you just have to look carefully,” she said.

For Ms Koroitaitai, her journey has included returning to education, becoming a social worker and continuing to support others through her work.

Her message to women considering a new beginning is straightforward:

“If you have a dream, dream big.”