Tongan duo pursue correctional dreams in Fiji
“We’ve learned a lot over the 14 weeks of training, especially self-discipline. Day in and day out, that’s the key to surviving in this career,” she said.
Saturday 15 March 2025 | 11:20
From left: Alaki Fonua and Taise Nauuat during the Fiji Corrections Service passing-out ceremony held at the Naboro Corrections headquarters on March 14, 2025. Photo: Sosiveta Korobiau
Taise Nauuat and Alaki Fonua travelled all the way from the Kingdom of Tonga to pursue their dreams in Fiji.
The pair were the only two women who participated in the 14-week recruitment process at the Fiji Correction Services.
During their 14 weeks away from home, they made sacrifices to follow their dreams of joining the officers back home at Her Majesty’s Prisons in Tonga.
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With limited knowledge, they arrived in Fiji with high hopes of learning and equipping themselves before returning home tomorrow.
Ms Nauuat, 23, shared that leaving Tonga and travelling to Fiji to train as correction officers was no easy journey for them.
“Our parents and elders relied on us, and they embraced us at the airport before we left. We had little knowledge of what we were getting ourselves into, but we were determined,” Ms Nauuat said.
“Arriving in Fiji earlier this year wasn’t easy, but the warm embrace we received was really encouraging, helping us push through the challenges during the 14 weeks of training.”
For the duo, the real work begins after recruitment.
Ms Nauuat said that being employed in a male-dominated field was not an easy choice, but they were both prepared for it.
She said back in Tonga, there were only 34 prison officers, which made it a real challenge to share their knowledge with other officers while maintaining the integrity of the force.
“We’ve learned a lot over the 14 weeks of training, especially self-discipline. Day in and day out, that’s the key to surviving in this career,” she said.
Feedback: sosiveta.korobiau@fijisun.com.fj
