Leaving behind five children, including a six-month-old baby she is still nursing, Alisi Baleinavua Danford has made the emotional decision to seek work in Australia as part of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. This opportunity enables her and her husband to fulfill their dream of constructing a home for their family.
Danford recently set off for Australia, where she will be employed in the hospitality sector near Uluru in the Australian desert. For this mother of five, the journey represents both a significant blessing and a heartfelt sacrifice.
“I’m just overwhelmed with happiness that I get to go on this program to work and support my family. It’s been a dream for my family and my children,” she expressed before her departure.
Her children range in age from her eldest son, who will turn 18 this year, to her youngest, who is merely six months old. Danford candidly shared that the emotional preparation to leave her children was one of the most challenging experiences she has encountered.
“The preparation was very hard. I had to leave them behind. I had to teach them to be on their own. They will miss my love and care, but I’m so thankful that I have my husband, my mum, and my family members who will be there to look after them,” she explained.
Hailing from Vanuabalavu in Lau and currently residing in Vatubalea, Navua, Danford and her husband, who have been married for over 18 years, have never owned a home. “This is a dream come true for us, because we will finally be able to build a house for ourselves and our boys,” she shared with optimism.
Her story highlights the reality faced by many parents in Fiji who participate in international workforce programs, making personal sacrifices today in the hope of securing a more stable future for their children.
Agni Deo Singh, the Minister for Employment, emphasized the importance for workers to recognize the sacrifices made and to contribute back to their families. “We remind our workers that when they go over to the other side, they should save their money. They are well aware of this, and most of them have plans for their family to pay back the sacrifice made,” Singh noted.
Furthermore, Danford encourages young individuals, particularly school leavers and dropouts, to engage with the National Employment Centre, utilize digital applications, and explore short courses supported through available training programs. She was among 90 Fijians who left for Australia this month under the Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme, highlighting a growing trend of Fijians seeking opportunities abroad for the betterment of their families.
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