Vagadaci Widow Forges Ahead To Cater For Her Six Children
It is not the end of the road, says a widow and mother of six children.
Sunday 29 May 2022 | 09:36
Second from left: Samantha McGoon flanked by chief executive officer of Australia Pacific Training Coalition Janelle Chapman and her trainer in Suva on May 18, 2022 Photo: APTC
It is not the end of the road, says a widow and mother of six children.
Samantha McGoon, 35, lives and walks by faith as she looks for ways to cater for the welfare of her children.
The best way to achieve this was by obtaining a certificate in baking and cooking, funded by the Australia Pacific Training Coalition through the Solo Moms Project last week.
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Her life came to a standstill in 2020 when her husband passed.
“Both of us were earning for our family and I was a kindergarten teacher,” she said.
“When my husband passed on, it was a difficult time for us because I was pregnant, COVID had just started and I could not go back to work.
“I found it hard, I did not have anyone to look after my two younger children.
“Solo Moms Project offered daycare and schooling.”
Ms McGoon of Vagadaci Village in Levuka said the five days of training in baking and cooking would enable her to prepare healthy meals for her children.
“It taught us that even though the price of goods has gone up, you can go back to fruits and vegetables,” she said.
“It taught us basic cooking methods that you can make money from using simple local ingredients in the backyard garden.
“They taught us how to prepare healthy meals to combat non-communicable diseases in Fiji.”
Ms McGoon’s major at the Solo Moms Project is sewing.
She encouraged single mothers to be positive and take advantage of available opportunities.
“I chose sewing because after we complete our course we will receive our starter packs to help support our business,” she said.
“Things that I cannot afford will be supplied like a sewing machine and a folding table after the 18 weeks course.”
