Two weeks ago, Charlene Work felt on top of the world when she graduated 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 has maternal ties to Vanuabalavu in Lau.
Before attending the institute, she balanced working at a law firm and pursuing law studies at the University of the South Pacific.
Her decision to study caregiving was driven by her passion for helping the elderly, including her own grandparents. “My grandfather is disabled; he is a left leg amputee,” Ms. Work shared.
The caregiving course helped her gain new perspectives on the skills she had used while assisting at her grandparents’ home in Sigatoka. It also provided her with new knowledge to better support her own children.
“As a single mum, this was a good opportunity for me to help my two kids by giving them a better future,” she said.
During her training, Ms. Work found satisfaction working with residents at the HART and Valolo homes, where she did her practical sessions. “It was a good opportunity, especially at Valolo Homes, to learn from professional caregivers who gladly took us under their wings. The clients felt like our second family.”
The practical sessions included 15-hour shifts, often requiring her to spend more time at the homes than with her own family. One of the challenges she faced was the language barrier between her and the clients, which she overcame by finding alternative ways to communicate. “I did understand a little bit of Hindi, so that helped,” she added.
Ms. Work said her achievement would not have been possible without the support of her parents. “They believed in me and encouraged me to keep going,” she said.
Her advice to aspiring caregivers is to have patience. “I encourage anyone willing to take it up; this has been a very rewarding experience. I feel like this comes easier to us Pacific Islanders because we always go beyond for our family.”