Hotel calls Adi back
ADI Asenaca Rokodakai is a good example of how one should never let their circumstances hold them back from pursuing something better in life.
She was one of the many hotel workers in Fiji who was re-employed when international borders reopened last month.
The 31-year-old from Lutu, Naitasiri, works as a pastry chef at the Naviti Resort on the Coral Coast.
She said she began working there in 2017.
“I attended Nabua Primary School then I went to Suva Grammar School for my secondary studies. I worked at a few places before I got married and had a child,” Ms Rokodakai said.
She said she realised she could still go back to school after she had her daughter so she applied for catering courses at the Fiji National University’s technical college in Nausori.
She finished her courses within one year in 2016 and went to The Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour to do her practical training.
While there, Ms Rokodakai applied to a few hotels looking for a job.
“When I got the call to go to the Naviti Resort I knew that this was the start of my career. I never looked back and I kept working hard for my children and for my husband.
“It was hard working in Sigatoka and being separated from my children and husband who lived in Rewa while the children were schooling in Nausori.”
Ms Rokodakai said she had to make a lot of sacrifices and made sure that she always gave her best effort at work.
She said because of her income, she was able to send her children to school and meet her family’s needs.
Ms Rokodakai started in January, 2017 as a cook at the resort.
“Now, I’m doing commercial pastries.”
When she was called up last month, she said they had to cater for about 400 to 500 guests.
“Now after New Year we are still catering for up to 400 people in a day.”
Ms Rokodakai said she enjoyed her work because she got to meet different people from different backgrounds every day.
“I learn a lot about food and we have a great head chef who is from Lebanon. He has taught me a lot in regards to food and cooking.”
Ms Rokodakai has three siblings while her dad is a carpenter by trade.
“My mother Mereleba is a housewife and I owe a lot to my parents. They always encouraged me and taught me to be humble and to work hard.”
Ms Rokodakai has three children and her partner Solomoni Uto also works at the Naviti Resort.
She said she loves working in the tourism industry.