I was born in Hendon London, United Kingdom on the 20th of May 1987. From as far as I can remember I was the black sheep of the family and I was constantly reminded that if I continued to be rebellious I would never find direction in life or be able to stand on my own two feet. I never doubted then that it was true.

I grew up in Suva, Fiji with parents who were both hard working and influential people. They were respected for the things they believed in and worked to achieve their respective goals. Memories of my mother heading an organisation that was responsible for the construction of sporting venues for the Regional Games and constantly having to meet deadlines in spite of inclement weather astounded me as she managed to complete these projects one by one and just in time. She was certainly a high achiever. I also recall the many times when she and my aunts would congregate on our deck and plan traditional events for immediate and extended family alike and such gatherings continuously burn through my memory of women who were not only formidable but vivacious, who had a will and made a way to succeed in whatever they pursued. Such were their determination and drive that it left a lasting legacy with me. Gender equality was never an issue for me.I was raised to believe that women were equal to men because they had the same earning power and contributed equally to the family purse and so it was these women who were a very influential part of my life and I have always looked at them with great admiration.

As a young student, I had to experience the value of education by having to dig deep and put my childishness and stubborn behaviour aside. I knew what needed to be done if I wanted to be the same as my siblings but I continued to struggle because of my rebellious streak. I felt a sense of anger all the time and my rebellious nature became worse. I realise today that I gained nothing from it but only made those around me disheartened. My journey through high school was a series of unforgettable dramatic events. I landed myself on my last year of secondary at Adi Cakobau boarding school. Adi Cakobau School taught me the importance of sisterhood, that regardless of background when you entered the school  gates we were all one and the same. They taught me how to appreciate and be grateful for the opportunities that I had and most importantly to appreciate and respect my family regardless.

My father was a big influence in my life, he understood me and encouraged me to turn my bad habits into something positive. Just his silence and big heart would always make me feel worthy and that I was destined for greater things, although I could not see it then. His remarks was something that I valued and realised his words instilled into me a determination to prove everyone wrong one day. He was the light that I focused on whenever I felt like I was in a dark tunnel. I realised that a father’s love is real and the bond that I enjoyed with him was the catalyst I needed to push me beyond my limitations to succeed in life.