Sovaia’s road to the bar
Sovaia Nagonevulavula, 24, on Friday described her success as a humbling one giving credit to her humble beginning.
Ms Nagonevulavula, who completed her four years of Law study at the University of Fiji at Samabula, Suva, was admitted to the bar during the swearing-in ceremony at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva. She is from Naqali, Naitasiri.
She said her background didn’t deter her from achieving her goals.
“I thank God for bringing me this far.
“Without Him, I wouldn’t have been able to be here today,” she said.
“My parents are my biggest supporters, helping me through my toughest times and I owe this to them.”
Ms Nagonevulavula said the possibilities of achieving big things like this were massive.
She said if it was possible for her to achieve this, then they should be encouraged to do the same thing.
She said coming from an informal settlement like Jittu, there was a stigma that revolved around the minds of children that they would not make it.
“My advice to everyone that lives in informal settlement, do not look down on yourself due to your little standards to achieve your dreams,” she said.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and understanding be obedient and be humble, kind and polite.”
Her mother, Timaima Biudole could only express her gratitude to her God for keeping her strong through it all.
“I watched my daughter as she struggled through her studies and so it didn’t surprise me when she was admitted to the bar,” she said. “We may not have much, but with the Almighty God, our relatives and the Tertiary Loans Scheme, we did it.”
Ms Nagonevulavula now looks forward to applying with the Legal Aid Commission where she would put into action all she learnt.