From her humble abode in Buretu, Nakelo, Tailevu, mother of three, Loata Radinikaba, never imagined that one day she would be travelling to another country to work and be able to help her family financially.
This changed when she received a phone call from the Ministry of Employment a month ago, informing her that she had been successfully selected to be part of the nine Aged-Care Workers under the Australia-Pacific Labour Scheme.
Yesterday, Ms Radinikaba and eight other Fijians were farewelled by the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations Parveen Bala.
The group are expected to leave for New South Wales, Australia on December 15, and would work a term of three years before returning home.
The 43-year-old said she had applied back in 2018 through the National Employment Centre and had thought her application had not been successful.
“When the team from the ministry called me up last month I just couldn’t contain my emotions because it was an opportunity that I never thought I would get,” Ms Radinikaba said.
“I have been at home looking after my sick mom amid the pandemic and she has become better,” she said.
“My husband has his own carpentry business, but during this current pandemic the business hasn’t really been running well for us.”
Ms Radinikaba had since then continued offering caregiving services to those that needed them.
She said they were not permanent caregiving jobs, but it still helped put food on that table for her family.
“I am grateful to the Fijian and Australian Government for the opportunity; opportunity to help our family financially and the many plans that we have to better our lives as a family.
“One of my children will begin university next year and we also plan to have our own house; these are some of the things that I hope to fund and achieve while away in Australia for three years.”
She had completed her age-care care-giving and community work courses at the Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) in 2013 and was also a former employee at the Pearce Home in Suva before venturing into private care-giving jobs.
Mother of six, Sinai Falemaka also expressed her gratitude to the Fijian and Australian Government for the opportunity to work in Australia. She said she had dreams and aspirations for her family and this opportunity would open doors that would enable her to bring her dreams to reality.
Be good ambassadors: Bala
Employment Minister Parveen Bala reminded the nine selected Fijians to be good ambassadors of Fiji while in Australia.
“I thank the Australian Government and the Australian Health group for the confidence in our Fijian people,” Mr Bala said.
“To all of you congratulations on your selection, you will be our ambassadors to Australians, because of you, doors of opportunity for others can be opened, do not forget that.
“Manage your money well and help your families back home. That should be your priority.”
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