Two weeks ago, Charlene Work reached a significant milestone by graduating from Mauri Professional Caregiving Institute with a level III certification in individual support and community care.
The 37-year-old single mother of two, hails from Kulukulu in Nadroga and also has maternal ties to Vanuabalavu in Lau.
Prior to enrolling in the institute, she managed her job at a law firm alongside her law studies at the University of the South Pacific.
Charlene’s decision to pursue caregiving was inspired by her desire to assist the elderly, including her own grandparents.
“My grandfather is disabled; he is a left leg amputee,” Work shared.
The course allowed her to apply what she had learned while helping out at her grandparents’ home in Sigatoka and provided her with additional knowledge and skills to better support her children.
“As a single mum, this was a good opportunity to give my two kids a better future,” she said.
During her training, Work found fulfillment in her practical work at the HART and Valolo homes, where she worked with residents.
“It was a great opportunity, especially at Valolo Homes, to learn from professional caregivers who gladly mentored us. The clients became like our second family,” she reflected.
Work mentioned that their practical sessions included 15-hour shifts, which meant she spent more time at the homes than with her own family.
“One of the challenges I faced was the language barrier between me and the clients, so I had to find alternative ways to communicate. I did understand a little bit of Hindi, which helped,” she added.
Charlene acknowledged that her graduation would not have been possible without her parents’ support.
“They believed in me and encouraged me to persevere,” she said.
Her advice for aspiring caregivers is to have patience.
“I encourage anyone who is willing; this has been a very rewarding experience. It feels natural for us Pacific Islanders as we always go the extra mile for our families,” she concluded.