When facing the lowest points in life, the only direction is upward. This sentiment perfectly captures the inspiring journey of Asta Sooner, a 26-year-old with a rich heritage that includes Rotuman, Fijian, and German roots. His story is one of resilience and transformation.
Asta was born in Germany and spent his childhood on the move due to his family’s frequent relocations. At the age of ten, his family settled in Fiji, following his Fijian mother and German father’s decision to build their lives there. After spending a year in Fiji, they moved to Rotuma and eventually returned to Viti Levu.
He attended Lomary primary and secondary schools, completing his education up to year 10 at Vashist Muni College in Navua. However, when Asta was just 14, his life took a drastic turn when his parents’ marriage ended. One morning, he woke to find his father gone, marking a pivotal moment in his life.
“I remember that day very vividly, it was about 5:30am when I heard the car running outside,” he recalled. Asta went to check on his father, but after some time passed and the sound of the engine ceased, he discovered that his father had left for Germany. This incident led Asta to drop out of school.
With his father gone, Asta faced instability and was later wrongfully evicted by his landlord, losing all his possessions. Left with scant resources, he ultimately found himself living on the streets. At night, he would pay for time at an internet café, using the opportunity to sleep there until he was discovered and expelled.
Transitioning to a life on the streets, Asta sharpened his begging skills, targeting a busy spot near FNPF Place on Thursdays and Fridays. He would request change by claiming he needed money to get home to Pacific Harbour.
Despite these hardships, Asta found refuge in a church-run music school called Kingdom Creative Arts, run by Pastor Ben and Libby Morrison. However, the lack of job opportunities forced him back onto the streets.
One night, while resting near Tikos Floating Restaurant at the Suva seawall, he fell victim to an assault, which involved being thrown into the ocean. This traumatic event made him realize he needed to change his life. Inspired by a distant warm light from an apartment building, he resolved to aim higher.
The following day, Asta returned to begging, but this time with a purpose. He saved money to create a resume and to purchase interview-appropriate clothing. His persistence paid off when he was offered a job by Julliana Underwood from the Republican of Cappuccino.
“I was filled with the most joy and excitement, like I’ve never felt in my life,” he shared. Asta began to work and sometimes slept at internet shops where staff remembered him. Through hard work and saving, he eventually managed to afford his own apartment.
Later, he was approached by someone seeking help with marketing. Without prior experience, Asta took the plunge and excelled, helping to grow their business’s online presence significantly.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he seized an opportunity to assist the International Primary School in Pacific Harbour with online learning, enabling teachers to adapt to using technology. After restrictions were lifted, he was offered a position to teach computer science.
Two years later, he became a weigh bridge operator at Suva Port while also establishing a small agency to support individuals who had experienced similar challenges. Managing this agency became overwhelming as it gained recognition and partnerships with American companies.
Asta’s agency eventually inspired the creation of Fiji’s first AI, named Avaia, modeled after ChatGPT, highlighting the transformative potential of technology in business.
Today, Avaia symbolizes Asta’s remarkable journey from a life on the streets to becoming a leader in the tech field. Reflecting on his experiences, Asta expresses gratitude for his past. “All of my jobs were self-taught. When your next meal depends on it, you really learn how to do the job. I wouldn’t change anything because despite everything, I had the best parents.” He believes that sometimes, all it takes is a change of perspective to find hope.