At the age of 37, Neomai Malupo is a testament to the belief that it’s never too late to chase one’s lifelong aspirations. A former pharmacy assistant and mother of four, Malupo has recently completed the Matua Programme at Nabua Secondary School, marking a significant milestone in her educational journey, which had been on pause for nearly two decades.
Hailing from Lakeba in Lau and raised in Lautoka, Malupo began her studies at Natabua High School but did not complete her education in 2008. Following her school years, she worked as a pharmacy assistant at the Ministry of Health until last year, when she made the tough decision to leave her position to fully focus on her studies.
“I stopped work because I couldn’t handle both,” she said. The challenge of balancing an 8 AM to 4:30 PM job with evening classes from 5 PM to 8 PM, while also caring for her children, left her with very little time for study.
Malupo’s ambition to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and become a doctor is a dream that has been with her since childhood. Growing up near Lautoka Hospital, where both of her parents worked as medical lab technicians, she was inspired by the doctors who “saved the day.” “I always wanted to be one,” she reflected.
Despite joining the Matua Programme in its sixth week, she found the experience rewarding, crediting the quality of instruction as pivotal to her success. “The teachers were the main reason I attained the marks. Subjects I found hard in high school, like physics, became clearer. I actually scored the highest in physics here,” she noted with pride.
Looking back on her accomplishments, Malupo expressed some regret for not starting the Matua Programme sooner, acknowledging that it began in 2003. “When I got my marks, I thought: why didn’t I do Matua sooner? I wish I’d known about it earlier,” she admitted.
Now, she urges others who may have put their education on hold—whether to support family or due to other life challenges—to reconsider their paths. “There’s no age limit to completing your education. If you still have a dream from your youth, pursue it. Matua is a great place to start. The teachers give tremendous support and advice,” she encourages.
Additionally, Malupo is determined to inspire iTaukei students by challenging limiting beliefs surrounding academic achievement. “Many iTaukei students think they are not capable of achieving high marks. There’s sometimes a view that if you don’t succeed, you can always return to village life. But we can achieve just as much as anyone. It’s not about race; it’s about how much work you put in. That mindset needs to change,” she emphasized.
Her journey serves as an empowering reminder that with determination and commitment, personal and academic fulfillment is achievable at any age.