Asena Tuvukona’s journey to becoming a teacher is a testament to resilience and determination. For many years, she believed that her aspiration to educate others was merely a distant dream thwarted by life’s challenges. With the weight of family responsibilities pressing down on her, she left school before completing her education.
Initially hailing from Kadavu, Tuvukona completed her primary education on the island before relocating to Suva in 2002. She attended both Sila Central College and Saraswati College for her secondary education. However, overwhelming life pressures led her to contemplate leaving school in 2005. Ultimately, like many young individuals who exit the formal education system prematurely, she joined the workforce.
After securing a job with a company owned by a New Zealand national in 2006, Tuvukona worked there for three years. She married in 2009, which led to new responsibilities that caused her to leave her job. An eight-year pause in her professional life followed, during which she eventually returned to work in 2017 at Lyndhurst Ltd, later taking a position with Grid Security Services in 2023.
While working as a security guard on the Fiji National University agricultural campus, Tuvukona was inspired by the sight of students pursuing their studies. This revelation reignited her passion for education, coupled with the urgent financial realities of earning only $5 an hour to support her family.
Seeing mature students return to education motivated her to take action. In 2024, she enrolled in the Matua Programme at Nabua Secondary School, which is tailored for adults seeking to complete their secondary education. Despite the challenges of balancing evening classes with her duties as a mother, Tuvukona’s determination persisted. With support from her husband, she successfully completed Year 13—a milestone she once deemed unreachable.
With this chapter of her life behind her, Tuvukona now aims to pursue higher education in English literature and iTaukei studies, with a vision of becoming a teacher. “From a young age, I always wanted to be a teacher,” she stated, emphasizing that her past obstacles don’t define her future. Tuvukona’s ambitions extend beyond personal achievement; she hopes to inspire others that setbacks can be overcome.
Encouraging those who may feel discouraged, Tuvukona strongly advocates for the Matua Programme, highlighting its role in providing second chances for individuals eager to continue their education. Looking ten years ahead, she envisions stability for her family, land of her own, and a balance between education and the agricultural life her husband enjoys.
For now, Asena Tuvukona is focused on her bright future at the university, embodying the spirit of perseverance and the belief that it is never too late to pursue one’s dreams.
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