Malcom X once said that education was the passport to the future, and tomorrow belonged to those who prepared for it today.
This is exactly what 38-year-old Adi Molikula Sukabula believes in.
After being a stay-at-home mum for years, the mother-of-three graduated from the Pacific Polytech Institute in Nabua with a Certificate 2in Front Office Operations.
Ms Sukabula believes her three months of studies has given her the urge to achieve more.
“I found out about this program through Facebook and I applied for it. It was for three months,” she says.
“In this program, we’re taught that we are the face of hotels. That’s our job. We’re the first people to greet the guests, we do the reservations, we do concierge and
we do behind-the-desk work.”
The Mabula, Lau native with maternal links to Naseukula in Macuata, attended Gospel Primary and Gospel High schools up until Form 5.
She dropped out of school due to hardship and entered the workforce instead.
“I started work at Livia Productions and worked at a few nightclubs. I also worked as a nanny and in sales. Customer service jobs were always available, so I tried that out as well.”
After marriage, Ms Sukabula abandoned work to stay home to look after her first child.
She had always dreamed of returning to school but she could not afford it.
Years later, after two more children, she made the decision to give school another go.
“My oldest is attending Fiji National University, the second is in Form 5 at Lelean Memorial School and the youngest is still in primary school.
“My children were so excited when they found out I was going back to school, and I’m also happy that Pacific Polytech Institute has given me free education.”
Since the institute offers halfday classes, Ms Sukabula’s husband helps her with chores every morning .
She said going back to school after being out of the education system for so long had its fair share of challenges but she was determined to do her best.
“I faced a lot of challenges because it’s been so long since I left school. Most of the people I started with in this course gave up halfway.
“I have learned so many things, especially the confidence to work at the front desk. I plan to do my Certificate 3 which is coming up this April and get a job.”
Her advice to umeployed mothers is: “If you’re willing to do something, then do it and never give up!”
