In a world filled with social ills and idle youths, some manage to navigate around the temptations of worldly habits.
They don’t wait for employment to come to them, instead, they proactively seek opportunities to establish themselves in the real world, supporting themselves and their loved ones along the way.
Rusiate Baleinagasau, 28, is one such individual.
Despite graduating with a bachelor’s degree in education majoring in geography and history from the Fiji National University, he didn’t wait for a teaching posting. Instead, he seized the opportunity to work on an inter-island vessel as a purser.
Hailing from Yanuca, Serua, Rusiate grew up in a household filled with challenges and overcomers.
With parents who were fishermen, and six siblings, he faced hardships both socially and academically.
“Sometimes our parents braved unfavourable weather to provide food and send us to school,” Rusiate recounted.
“They’d sell their catch by the roadside or organise fundraisers to financially support our education.
“When I was young, my dream career was to be a teacher because I wanted to help children learn new things and inspire them to know more about the world we live in.”
Rusiate thrived despite the challenges, crediting his parents as a constant source of motivation.
He said, witnessing their struggles motivated him to excel academically and pursue his dream career.
However, Rusiate faced financial difficulties when he was left with one unit to graduate, and his parents could no longer support him financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.
That’s when he decided to begin a career as a purser on the Lomaiviti Princess line, owned by Goundar Shipping Ltd, before the second wave of COVID-19 struck.
With his hard-earned money, Rusiate was able to complete his studies and graduate on a high note.
“I am a very shy person, so working here has helped me to engage more with people, in crowds, and with passengers,” Rusiate shared.
“One of my memorable experiences was managing a blackout at sea for four hours due to an engine problem, during which I ensured passengers were informed and assisted during the ordeal. Rusi hopes to go back to the teaching field to continue inspiring the future generation of this beloved nation to be hardworking, dedicated, and responsible citizens.
“My advice to young people in the country is to never give up and always consider the sacrifices of parents in order for them to achieve their dream careers.”
