Kalesi Volatabu once faced a harsh reality of homelessness, addiction, and emotional turmoil. In an interview, she opened up about her battle with crystal methamphetamine and how she overcame her struggles.
Kalesi grew up in Suva, where she dreamed of becoming a lawyer to advocate for justice. The eldest of three siblings, she attended several schools before her life took a significant turn when she moved to Australia at the age of 13 due to political unrest in Fiji following the 1987 coup. Initially excited about the move, she soon found herself feeling lost and disconnected from her family.
After relocating, Kalesi experienced a difficult adjustment, missing her family deeply and dealing with the confusion of her expired visa status. Suffering from loneliness, she turned to alcohol and eventually crystal meth as a coping mechanism to numb her emotional pain.
For three years, Kalesi struggled with addiction, which escalated to physical abuse and suicidal thoughts. However, she eventually found hope and support through a friend, helping her secure permanent residency in Australia. Motivated by her two sons, she became involved in rehabilitation efforts and founded Drug Free World Fiji to raise awareness about addiction.
Kalesi’s journey led her to participate in the launch of Fiji’s National Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023-2028. She emphasizes the importance of education and community involvement in combating addiction and hopes her story can inspire others to seek help and overcome their challenges.