WOMEN her age usually rest in bed, away from the usual hustle and bustle of life but Esiteri Kamikamica, 70, is the opposite.
She likes to keep herself busy with her academic and social commitments and you will be lucky if she spares you an hour for a chat. She is a true inspiration for women, particularly indigenous women in Fiji.
Talkative and friendly Mrs Kamikamica was the first Fijian women to obtain a degree from a foreign university in 1961.
She was the only successful candidate to be awarded the Centenary Scholarly Scholarship by the Australasian Methodist Church in 1957 to major in English and Geography at the University of New England in New South Wales, Australia.
Completing a diploma for secondary school education was part of her four-year course.
She loves caring for and nurturing children. "I find that nurturing any child irrespective of age and being able to help them grow as an individual is the most rewarding and satisfying thing," said Ms Kamikamica.
The former Fijian Teachers Association and National Council for Women president of is a bold person who always wanted to make a difference.
"At that time, there was no university in Fiji and local students did not enjoy the same educational benefits as European children did. My principal and father really supported me to go out and make a difference," she said.
The retired school teacher never doubted herself in anything because of her gender.
"I was always interested in becoming more than a girl and I always competed with the boys. I come from a family who viewed the boys and girls equally," she said.
Mrs Kamikamica is the fourth-eldest in a family of nine children from Navunievu in Bua. Her late husband, Josevata Kamikamica, was a former Finance minister.
Studying abroad at that time was challenging at the time.
"I can understand why people thought I was different because I always got interesting reactions from them about my skin colour and hair type. I always invited them to come to Fiji. It was exciting and challenging for me because I was representing my country all the time," she said with pride.
The mother of three, who has four grandchildren, plans to undertake her doctorate research at the same university. The 70-year-old values her relationship with people the most.
"My faith and values are important to me because it helps me relate to other people. I try to be the best I can in terms of my relationship with others," she said.
