Solo Mum Overcomes Hurdles

Being a single mother and pursuing a career as a lawyer is not an easy feat that many can work towards.

But that hurdle had motivated 24-year-old Mererai Vatege prove that anything was possible if there was dedication and a strong will to do well.

Ms Vatege is one of the 42 lawyers from the University of the South Pacific (USP) who were yesterday admit­ted to the bar as they took their oath during a ceremo­ny at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

“It has not been easy journey for me to balance my studies while taking care of my child,” Ms Vatege said.

“Especially, being a single mother and raising your son. But I am forever thankful to my parents who had helped me during desperate times.

“I am grateful for my son, who has always been my inspiration and this would not have been possible with­out God’s guidance throughout this journey.”

She started her tertiary education at USP’s Laucala Campus and graduated in 2017 at the Emalus Campus in Vanuatu.

“I am proud to say that I am the first lawyer in my fam­ily, village and my district of Savatu in Ba province.”

Ms Vatege is encouraging women, especially single mothers, to not to give up on their dreams.

Edited by Percy Kean