I was born and raised in Tuvalu, a country with a landmass smaller than that of LAX (Los Angeles International Airport). It is a unique and special place with many values you cannot find anywhere else. By UN standards, it is a poor country, but we who grew up there have never felt we needed anything more. However, one of the challenges of growing up on a small island is the lack of decent work opportunities.
Growing up, I was always fascinated by birds, maybe because there were so many on the island and I had one as a pet. It was amazing how my bird would be gone for days out in the ocean or visiting his friends on neighboring islands and always knew his way home. My dream as a kid was to get a good education and find a job that would allow me to travel the world, live in different countries, and still return to Tuvalu when I wanted—just like my bird. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to study in the USA, and upon graduation, found a job at one of the largest investment banks in the world. This opened my eyes to the importance of finding decent employment that not only enables you to be financially free but also develops you as a young professional.
I currently live in the USA, but my dream is always to return and contribute to Tuvalu. I am aiming to help as many Tuvaluans as possible obtain a quality education and decent work opportunities. In my country, there is no shortage of opportunities to study. Each year many Tuvaluans graduate from universities in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. It is opportunities for decent work that are lacking. The government is the biggest employer on the island, but this is not enough and many young Tuvaluans are looking for jobs overseas. I believe that having decent work opportunities is just as important as quality education. This combination will lift people out of poverty and lead to strong families, which in turn will lead to strong communities and nations.
Therefore, I consult with young people on how to navigate the complex world of transitioning from university graduates to finding decent work opportunities outside Tuvalu. I want them to learn as much as they can from working abroad and come back to improve Tuvalu. I want them to leverage all their knowledge and experiences for our country’s development. My dream is that more young Tuvaluans will earn their own wings to fly, just like a bird.