GROWING up in a humble Toorak neighbourhood, Sereani Kanaduadua Leniso Lenati first dreamed of soaring above the clouds.
More than anything else, she wanted to become a flight attendant, lured by the prospects of travel and learning new cultures.
But destiny had other reasons and along the way, her ambitions changed.
Today, with a powerful journey behind her and a brighter future ahead, Ms Lenati is a banking support officer with BRED Bank Fiji.
“I come from a single-parent home where it is just mum and I. We’ve always lived on Charles St, Toorak, also known as Bagasau,” Ms Lenati said.
“Life in the barracks isn’t easy, but it teaches you to be strong.”
The Toorak barracks are more than just concrete and narrow hallways. For Sereani, they hold a history riddled with shared struggles, community laughters, and childhood memories.
“There was no such thing as privacy but the sense of community was strong,” she said.
“Neighbours knew each other, looked out for one another, and the kids played freely in the compound.
“Even though we saw inequality when we stepped outside our world, we also learned to find joy in simple things.”
She attended Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School (MGM) before enrolling at the University of the South Pacific where she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree in finance and human resource management & employment relations.
However, her journey wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“In my first two years at USP, I was really focused, but in my final year, I started working part-time as a waitress at the Dogfather Pub.
“Balancing work, peer pressure, and studies was tough. I almost gave up.”
What brought her back on track was the one promise she made to her grandparents.
“I promised them that I’d graduate. Remembering them gave me the strength I needed to push through.”
Though she once dreamed of being a flight attendant, a failed interview changed her course.
“That didn’t break me, it redirected me. I found another way to succeed.”
Today, Ms Lenati continues to learn and grow at BRED Bank, her mother – her biggest supporter, by her side.
“She stood by me, corrected me, guided me, and loved me even when I didn’t make it easy. I’m also so grateful to my Uncle Trevor in the States, and to my late grandparents, for their endless advice and prayers.”
Looking ahead, Ms Lenati envisions a future that promises purpose and service.
“In five years, I see myself growing both personally and professionally, using what I’ve learned to give back to my community.
Her advice to anyone navigating life’s many storms is to believe in ‘inner strength’.
“Stay focused, work hard, and keep the promises you make to others and yourself. Every small step forward counts.”
Ms Lenati’s story is one of perseverance, love and the quiet courage to keep moving forward despite the odds.
