Mother of three graduates with MBA
Despite being afraid due to her medical condition, Kalara Thomas Baledrokadroka would not let fear stand in the way of her excelling academically.
Despite the pandemic this year, the mother of three had graduated from the Lautoka Campus of the University of the South Pacific (USP) with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in April.
She said she used to have migraines and other illnesses and as she grew up, she was a constantly sick child, unlike her other siblings who grew up healthy.
My husband was A fiRM BELIEVER; IT WAS THROUGH HIS CONTINUOUS ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE SUPPORT FROM MY FAMILY AND MY CLASS GROUP MEMBERS THAT HELPED ME THROUGH.
Hailing from Drauniivi Village in Ra, with maternal links to Matokana Village in Onoi-Lau, Mrs Baledrokadroka is married to Jimilai Baledrokadroka, a Fiji Airways Captain, whom she said had been her driving force towards her achievements.
“Personally, my greatest challenge was myself. I continued to limit myself to my medical conditions whereas my husband was a driven person, an achiever and greatest motivator,” she said.
“I was on the verge of giving up at some stage due to my medical conditions, but kept striving because of the vision we had.
“My husband was a firm believer; it was through his continuous encouragement and the support from my family and my class group members that helped me through.”
Furthermore she said she has a 39 acre land for agro-business, to which she would apply all her knowledge and skills acquired from her MBA.
“I am moving forward to be a successful entrepreneur and to empower women,” she said.
In her advice, she said: “We are products of our own environment. Don’t limit yourself, everything is achievable, have a vision and strive towards that.”
After the Viti Levu borders were opened recently, Mrs Baledrokadroka’s mother, Mereseini Thomas couldn’t wait to come to Nadi and celebrate her daughters’ achievement.
“It was an emotional celebration,” Mrs Thomas admitted.
Kalara Thomas Baledrokadroka UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIfiC GRADUATE