Pio Navara felt a sense of accomplishment upon being admitted to the bar as a lawyer, a journey he almost abandoned a year ago due to financial difficulties. For two years, he turned to farming in his village of Nalawa, Ra, to break from the demanding law studies that began in 2019 at the University of the South Pacific.
At the age of 26, Navara was one of 33 graduates from the university who became lawyers during the Admission to the Bar ceremony held at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. He shared that pursuing a quality education and reaching university from his village was no small feat.
“Choosing to pursue a Law degree at the university level was a significant decision I made despite financial hurdles,” Navara explained. “The dream of becoming a lawyer began in high school, and I was determined not to give it up.”
Throughout his studies, Navara faced numerous financial challenges, but farming provided a temporary escape and a means to support himself. As the eldest child in his family, he felt a great deal of pressure to succeed. Nevertheless, he achieved a Bachelor’s degree and was recently admitted to the Bar, fulfilling his promise to his family.
“My mother might not have had a stable job, but she ensured my siblings and I received an education,” he reflected. “As I approached the podium for my swearing-in, I remembered the sacrifices my parents made for our education, including their sleepless nights and hunger, to give us a better future.”
Navara is now employed by a law firm, ready to embark on his professional career.