Hill: Finding Her Calling in Life
She made a decision and refused to be labelled an inmate. She has not looked back
Life is what you make of it. The phrase ‘When life gives you lemons, then make lemonade’ is what Jessica Hill has learnt to follow.
It was a lesson only learnt after a life altering situation in May 2013.
Ms Hill was young and had a good job. At 26, she was living the life.
So much so, that she did not realise what the repercussions of a stupid decision could do.
She found herself surrounded by Police Officers. The car she was driving had hit an oncoming vehicle along Nokonoko Road. The driver of the other vehicle lost her life.
What followed was two years of courtroom drama and finally a seven-year jail term for manslaughter.
Ms Hill regrets every moment of that decision.
Inside the four walls
She had been incarcerated for five years and allowed into the community through her cooperation and dedication towards rehabilitation.
It was inside the four walls of the prison that she found another talent - designing garments.
“The despair and regret I felt then has become the foundation for me to build on. I had hit rock bottom and the clanging of the Correction’s gate was the loudest sound I ever heard,” Ms Hill said.
“I made a decision to not let myself be labelled as an inmate. I embraced the training and coaching that was being offered at the Fiji Corrections Service.
“This is where my second life defining moment came about. I learnt fashion design and I found my calling. I have not looked back, and I do not plan to.
“We should never let ourselves drown if we make a mistake in life. We should always pull ourselves up and try to correct our lives. Such opportunities are rare but when given we should grab it.”
Growing up
Ms Hill’s late father was a Police Officer who after retirement ventured into his own business and her mother is now retired from her seafood export business.
Ms Hill grew up in a large family with five other sisters and a brother.
She recalled that when she was young, they moved around a lot.
“We were in Delainavesi for a bit and a few other places. But I spent most of my teen years growing up in Wailoku.
“I recall having a pig and a few dogs as pets. I remember going to swim with the neighbours. Wailoku is a diverse neighborhood where I learnt to speak iTaukei and Hindi.
“My family has always been a welcoming one and people used to be attracted to our place. I believe I learnt a lot about loving and respecting others from here. I spent some of the best time in Wailoku.”
Ms Hill attended Kalabu Primary School and was home schooled thereafter, which she says was another level.
“I had the advantage of having my parents around. I had personalised learning and focused more on the things I was interested in. I believe the most important thing was that I learnt things on the current needs.”
After homeschooling she chose to join the workforce for experience and exposure.
She is in the process of gaining her tertiary education.
A colourful work experience
Ms Hill started her working career with simple office work and progressed slowly.
She was smart and had the ability to adapt.
“I have worked in various organisations playing various roles like bar-tending to accounting work. Currently I am a financial controller with Flow Valves and Hose Supplies Pte Ltd,” she said.
“Every employment has its own challenges. We have kept updated with new advancements and changes. However, I have the full support and motivation from the staff and management of Flow Valves and Hose Supplies Pte Ltd.
“It has been an exceptional journey and I look forward to attaining greater heights within the company.”
COVID-19 – a new world
Unlike many of us, Ms Hill was still incarcerated when COVID-19 hit Fiji.
She was oblivious to what was happening in the world outside. For her it was a totally different experience when she came out of prison.
“I honestly did not feel the full impact until my release this year. It was so surreal. It felt like I had entered an alternate universe,” she said.
“Mask wearing and social distancing all of this was something I had witnessed. Things looked and felt very different.
“It had shifted family dynamics and social interactions in a whole different direction. I only pray that all Fijians get vaccinated and that someday we are able to fully eradicate this virus totally and things get back to normal.”
After all her trials and tribulation, Ms Hill says: ““If we believe in ourselves and motivate ourselves, we can do anything and can achieve anything.”
According to Ms Hill, despite the love and support in life, nothing will move unless the person decides to do something about it.