Story of Maria

Maria, Fiji

Maria Dau initially joined Habitat for Humanity Fiji in 2016 as a field coordinator for Habitat’s Global Village program. During Global Village builds, she noticed that women made up a significant portion of the volunteer group, sparking her interest in carpentry.

However, as a woman, she was hesitant to share with her parents about her desire to pursue something different. With the support of her colleagues, she eventually talked to her parents, who wholeheartedly supported her decision. Maria became a qualified carpenter in 2019 and has since participated in over 100 builds.

Her decision to become a carpenter challenged traditional gender roles, showing other women that they can pursue non-traditional roles and succeed. Her presence and success as a carpenter among male coworkers and community members also led to a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in traditionally male-dominated fields. Maria’s story demonstrates the power of determination, courage, and resilience in inspiring positive change and breaking barriers for women in communities and workplaces.