Being grateful for the little things in life can definitely shape futures.
The inspirational message connects with Losalina Wati, a young Christian woman, who was taught at a young age the importance of humility, hard work and compassion.
Originally from the village of Yalobi, Yasawa, this local beauty is one of three siblings.
Ms Wati, a student at USP, is a beacon of inspiration and hope for others.
To begin with life growing up has had its fair share of challenges, but this was comfortably filled with love and resilience.
“Coming from a middle-class background we didn’t have everything, but my parents did their best to ensure we had what we needed,” she said.
“I learned early to appreciate the simple things and to value hard work. I used to take on holiday jobs during high school to support myself and I think those experiences helped shape me.
“I learned to appreciate every opportunity and not take anything for granted.”
As Ms Wati completed her primary and secondary education, venturing into tertiary education was something she was proud of. Now, she is in the process of completing her degree in psychology and social work.
Ms Wati is also president of the Social Work Student Association, a role she feels is rewarding and challenging.
“Reviving an association from scratch demands a lot of dedication and commitment. At times it was tough balancing these responsibilities with my studies and my role as a peer mentor at USP.
“There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming, but my faith in God and the unwavering support of my friends and family kept me going even on the hardest days.
“I’m also deeply grateful for my committee members as this journey would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication.”
Practising what we preach and applying classroom skills to real-world situations are two of her favourite accomplishments in the role.
“A great example of this is how we’ve integrated environmental responsibility and community outreach into our fun events.
“For instance during our picnics we don’t just relax and have fun. We also hold clean-up campaigns to ensure we’re doing our part to care for the environment. It’s a way to educate students on the importance of sustainability while also practising our roles as social workers because we recognise our responsibility to both people and the planet.
“Similarly, our charity drives have shown us how we can have a direct impact on communities in need. As social work students, we understand the power we have to support the vulnerable. That’s why we organised a charity donation drive last semester.”
With teamwork, Ms Wati organised successful activities and allowed the association to directly help families in need and support seven different organisations.
“Being able to make that kind of difference was deeply personal for me because I know firsthand how difficult it can be to make ends meet.
“Seeing the positive impact of our efforts on these families brought me immense joy and reaffirmed my belief in the power of community.
“What made this event even more special was witnessing the joy on the faces of the families we were able to help. Knowing that our actions created a ripple effect of kindness — one that may inspire those we helped to pass it forward. It was truly fulfilling.
“My hope is that through these efforts, we are creating a chain of giving that will inspire others to lend a hand whenever they can. This experience has reminded me how powerful it can be when a community comes together with each person doing their part to lift others up.”
Ms Wati does not ever regret choosing to study her majors because it has taught her to understand the need for people to support each other.
“Through my life experiences and challenges, I realised that to truly help others, I needed to first work on becoming the best version of myself, so that I could give my all.
“Psychology and social work are fields that equip you with the tools to make a real difference in people’s lives, and I felt drawn to that purpose.”
Ms Wati manages to find time for her hobbies despite her busy schedule; these combine her responsibilities as president of SWSA with her education.
“I love gardening and watching horror movies. Gardening, in particular, helps me relax and stay grounded. Whenever I feel stressed, I like to be outside, tending to the plants around our compound or even picking up rubbish to keep the area clean.”
Through perseverance and hard work, Ms Wati is bringing about the opportunity of working closely with vulnerable communities, especially in the Pacific, throughout the course of the next five years.
“I aim to be in a role where I can make a meaningful difference, supporting those who need it most and advocating for better social support systems. I hope that my work will help create positive change and improve people’s lives.”
She advises the younger generation to step into leadership roles and recognise the strength and potential they hold.
“Young people have so much power to create positive change, and they are not just the future or tomorrow, they are the leaders of today.
“Don’t wait for the right time to make a difference; start now, take on responsibilities, and trust that your voice matters. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.
“Your courage and ideas can shape the world around you and every small effort counts.”
