Thinking of giving up is something that can never motivate us and thought of a better life for my boys keeps me going.
A mother of three and a student of University of the South Pacific enrolled in Journalism and Business in marketing is not thinking of backing up despite many challenges she goes through every day.
Linda Filiai is a busy woman like all other women around the world who keeps working hard in order to complete her degree and also fulfill her children needs.
Linda comes from Tonga and is currently completing her studies on a scholarship.
Linda says it is difficult to be a mother and at the same time to complete all the assignments and school work that needs to be done.
“It is hard but I do manage to organize everything to overcome the challenges. Sometime I have to stay up late at night either at USP or at home to complete my assignments.”
“Being a woman we have a lot of task to fulfill but we have to be strong to face all those challenges in life. We need to endure until the end in order to be rewarded.”
Linda has won the Most Promising First Year Journalism Award sponsored by Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) in 2015.
Her dedication towards her school work and setting a timetable has let her achieve the award.
Linda says she believes in who she is and what she can be through all hard work.
“I am not proud of that award I am proud of who I am. At home, I am a mother and I have to complete my duties to my kids before going to school. At school, I have assignments to complete and I must complete it on time.”
Linda’s husband had been away to New Zealand last year for six months while she prepared for her finals and assignments.
She managed her school work and her chores as a mother and was able to win the award despite being alone.
“I had gone through a lot of struggles when my husband was away but I kept reminding myself the fact that if I wanted to have a good future I have to sacrifice my time”.
Linda loves the culture in Fiji and feels at home and that keeps her going.
“Fiji is so great and I have learnt a lot about this country and its people despite just being here for two years”
“At the moment, I am in love with this country and I have got used to the life that we experienced here in Fiji”
Linda is currently a second year student and completing her degree and aims at achieving more awards this year.