GRACE Mua believes that when life gets hard, you just hold your head up and keep going.
The Rotuma native with maternal links to Vitawa in Ra became a single mum in February of last year.
Ms Mua said walking the path of a single mum was tough and there were a lot of things to learn. However she couldn’t have done it without the support of her family and faith in God.
So she vowed to keep moving rather than staying at home. She said she joined the SODELPA party and is currently the treasurer of the youth executive wing. She finds the work a good way to gain experience and grow.
“For politics, people say it’s tough for women. The usual perception is that women are supposed to be at home, but it’s good to see more women in leadership roles in Fiji.
“It’s OK to be seen in male-dominated.”
The 22-year-old is also a student at the Matua Program in Nabua.
“Though I passed Form 6, I wanted to go and do it again.
“I attend the evening classes. It is actually very fun learning, which I didn’t expect.
“I met other students who were much older than me, some in their 40s, 50s and even 60s, all trying to get a better future for themselves.
“It’s so encouraging seeing older students in school.”
Ms Mua said in her spare time she sold pies and cakes from home.
“My mum and I are involved with a club in Raiwaqa that’s trying to assist unemployed youths in the neighbourhood.
“I’ve always wanted to do something like this for my neighbourhood. Young people are vulnerable to being led astray like in Raiwaqa and I am happy to be a part of a team that’s working to provide a positive change in our community.”
Ms Mua said there were always challenges in life that one needed to face on their own, and she tried not to let the negativity get to her.
“One thing I’d like to share especially to other young mothers is don’t let other people’s opinions define your life.
“As young as you are, you are very capable of doing well on your own. All you need is God and the drive to do so. || GRACE MUA || GRACE Mua believes that when life gets hard, you just hold your head up and keep going.
