BY JOY OFASIA
LIKE many other pacific Islanders, Caroline Tuke is among other employees who are working abroad under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme one of the streams of the Pacific Labour Scheme.
Along with 48 other Solomon Islands workers, Mrs. Tuke works for ‘Australia Country Choice’ as a meat Processor, one of the best practice suppliers of high-quality meat products in Australia.
Australia Country Choice is dedicated to the best practice supply of high-quality meat products in Australia.
Caroline Tuke is a young mother with a son. She comes from the Western province in the Solomon Islands.
Caroline traveled abroad leaving her family in the Solomon Islands late last year to help achieve her family goal to work in Australia.
Caroline said that she is fortunate to be part of this workforce which provided the opportunity for her to develop her skills and earn money to support her family back home and also contribute to the economy of her country.
“I am very fortunate to be selected and be part of this team to work abroad to achieve my family’s goals and dreams,” she said.
“To work abroad, I aim to build a family house back in my home village in the Western province at the same time support my family and also contribute to the economy of my country.”
Within a month, Caroline was able to start making arrangements for her house to be built in her village.
“I managed to start my family house with the money I earned in the first month since I started working here. Now the house is currently in process,” she said.
Caroline says that her family is very supportive of her ideas and her future ambitions.
Not only the family house, but Caroline has other plans. Besides all her family plans, Caroline is also looking forward to supporting her husband with their family business at home.
“My husband runs a small local business called Tocania enterprise. This business is another source of income for the family located in Gizo in the Western Province. I am also looking forward to supporting this little family business when I get back home.”
Caroline is very disciplined with her spending. She says that spending is very important while working abroad and to achieve your goal, you have to spend wisely.
“When I receive my pay, firstly I put my savings aside, then I keep $50 on my account for food and then send the rest over to my husband to continue with the housework,” she explained.
Lynda Wate Seni who is a former boss of Caroline at the Isles Media Investment in Honiara also speaks of her appreciation towards this hardworking mother.
“As a former employer and a friend, I’m super happy for her especially for taking that bold step and sacrifices to leave her family behind and tap the opportunity to see herself in the making, I’m pretty sure this will take her much closer to her dreams and plans for her family,” Lynda said.
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank her too for her hard work and dedication while working for Isles Media as a sales representative. I admire her strong and passionate dedication to turning ideas into reality especially around her time with me.”
Caroline wants to advise and encourage women and girls to just take up the responsibility to work hard.
“My advice to all women and girls: not only men can do all work, but women can also take up the responsibility to play the role of husbands. We must have a strong mindset to achieve family goals. Never spend money on unnecessary things but must learn to spend wisely on things that will benefit you and your family.”
