Sereana Cokanasiga in the Solar Project site at Visoqo.A passion for working with island communities has lead Fijian villager Sereana Cokanasiga to meet the challenges of making a difference in the South Pacific.

Originally from Naduri Village in Macuata province in Fiji and later from Suva, Sereana has experienced a mix of rural and urban life.

"I grew up with my maternal grandparents in Lomaloma, Lau, until I was 5 years old and came to Suva after that to start primary school. I grew up in an extended family [third of five children] and my father was an administrator and heavily involved into community development," Sereana recently told The Fiji Times.

"I think I have continued part of what he has started..."

Today Sereana is the Program Support Manager for the Foundation of the People of the South Pacific a non-government organisation which has a vision to build communities in the South Pacific by working with the communities to establish self-reliance and sustainability.

"My role is very challenging. I am responsible for development management and monitoring of structures, policies and protocols that help the organisation work efficiently and effectively.

"Working with communities is very fulfilling and satisfying. I feel very happy and proud to be able to contribute to the development of my own community and other communities that I have worked with through the organisation."

She owes much of her successes to her education. Sereana is a graduate of CQUniversity's Master of Business Administration program in which she specialised in Human Resource Management.

She says the secret to her success has been ‘hard work and a good education'.

"Education is very important."

Sereana is married to Filipe Cokanasiga and has three children and also is kept busy with a list of volunteer commitments.