Demanding army course motivates mother

Stuck in a rut of alcoholism, Niria Rika knew it was time to do something with her life.

The 20-year-old mother of two has just completed a six-week limited service volunteer’s course in Hobsonville – the first mother from Tokoroa to do so.

Work and Income sent six young people on the physically demanding course that involved getting up at 5.30 every morning.

And while most went down to Christchurch, Rika was sent to Auckland in case she was needed at home for an emergency.

She said it is the longest time she has ever been away from her daughters aged 1 and 2. ‘‘Being away from my girls was definitely the hardest part. The first week was hard especially the 5.30am wake- ups because I wasn’t used to it but by the last week I didn’t want to come home.’’

The solo mother said she knew about the course because her brothers had attended it.

‘‘I just said to myself I need to do something because I was in a bad scene.’’

Despite being in charge of two children, she said unemployment just didn’t sit well with her.

‘‘I want a job to keep me busy – that’s a big thing.’’

Aside from losing 3kg and making lifelong friends, she said she is stoked to be able to present a decent looking CV to potential employers.

LSV co-ordinator Claudine Toa said she was extremely proud of all six students, including Savea Daniel- Malietoa, who passed his course with merit and was awarded the Warrant Officer of the Defence Force leadership award.

‘‘I’m as proud as anything – just seeing them come back with a bit of confidence.’’

She said she was worried about sending Rika away. ‘‘But she was fantastic. ‘‘She had to do a lot to get prepared for it, like find someone to look after her children for six weeks.’’

LSV originated in 1984.