Single mother becomes a lawyer

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Mererai Vategu with her family at GPH yesterday. She was one of the 42 new lawyers who were admitted to the bar. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

LOOKING into the eyes of her child when the going gets tough, Mererai Vatege quickly pulls herself up and defies all odds to achieve her dream.

She achieved her goal this month when she was admitted to the Bar alongside 41 other lawyers in Suva.

Mererai, a single mother, was financially supported by her father who sturdily believed in her dreams and helped her reach her goal of becoming the first lawyer in her family and in her village in Waikubukubu in the highlands of Nadarivatu.

“I’m overwhelmed and grateful to God for seeing me through those tough times,” she said.

“It hasn’t been easy and there were many challenges along the way especially being a single mum.

“My dad is a road labourer and my mum stays at home and they try their best to support me and my two siblings.”

She said in the first two years of her studies her father went out of his way to support her financially through law school.

“I told my dad I wanted to study law and it wasn’t easy because it was an expensive program, but I told him that it was where my interest lies and so he agreed.

“He took funds from FNPF to support me and I’m forever grateful for his love and guidance in my life.”

Even though her dad was supporting her during her studies, she also thought of ways in which the financial burden could be lifted off from her father’s shoulders, as he was the sole breadwinner of the family.

“In the back of my mind I knew dad wouldn’t be able to complete his financial support towards my study in the remaining two years,” she said.

“I applied for the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme and it helped me complete law school but of course with the continuous support from my father.

“I wanted the financial burden lifted off my dad’s shoulders and so it did and I’m grateful for all the opportunities given to me and I’m glad that those days are finally over.”

She said it’s great to have a strong family support system behind her.

“Being admitted to the Bar is a big achievement not only for me but for my family and my village,” she said.

“I’m so lucky to have my son who has been a constant motivation for me,” she said.

“There were times when I wanted to give up because of the pressure of studying and the financial difficulties, but then I look back and I see my son’s eyes looking at me and I know that I have to finish what I started.

“Always leave everything to God because he will see you through no matter what and never forget your humble beginnings and the support and love of your parents.”

She said nothing was impossible if the heart was willing.

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