While employed on the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, Sala is turning her hard work into a brighter future for her family. As well as renovating the family home in Fiji, she is investing in her daughter Lucy’s higher education, ensuring she has an opportunity to thrive.
With her earnings from the PALM scheme, Sala has been able to renovate and paint the family home. She also installed a Starlink system so the whole family has access to the internet. Importantly, Sala now has a reliable means to call home and stay connected with her family.
“I miss my family so much”, says Sala.
“When I call my husband, I encourage him for the sacrifices we both made.”
Sala is working at a tourist hotel in the northern Australian town of Broome. She says it’s a challenge to leave behind her husband and their four adult children. But the benefits for her family make it all worthwhile, despite the distance that separates them.
Sala’s story is about more than financial support. It is a story of a bond built on love, duty, and shared dreams. Sala and Lucy are committed to doing their best for each other, honouring this commitment and the aspirations they each hold.
“The sacrifices are worth it. Because whatever is in my plan, and for my goals, half of them have been achieved,” she said.
“My new goal for this year is to put solar panels on my house because we do not have electricity back home.”
Sala’s daughter Lucy is enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and will soon graduate. She is motivated by the example set by both her parents. Since her childhood she has seen her mum as a working parent helping support their family, with her father working as a farmer.
“When my Mum told me she was going to Australia I was very happy because in my heart, I want to study.”
Lucy is motivated to finish her studies and to get a good job as the reward for her family’s sacrifices.
“I want to finish my studies and make my parents proud. I have to pay back what they have done for me,” she says.
“Apart from paying for my school fees, my mum sends money through to my dad who is living in the village.”
Lucy is immensely proud of her mother and is grateful for all the sacrifices she has made. She knows she would not be able to complete her studies if Sala was not working in the PALM scheme.
“Mum I’m very proud of you. Thank you very much for your hard work and your sacrifices. If not for you I wouldn’t be studying,” Lucy says.
