{"id":214543,"date":"2025-04-29T08:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T18:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=214543"},"modified":"2025-05-07T09:34:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T19:34:47","slug":"waianae-moku-grad-turns-pain-into-purpose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/29\/waianae-moku-grad-turns-pain-into-purpose\/","title":{"rendered":"Wai\u02bbanae Moku grad turns pain into purpose, future in social work"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Brenda<\/p>\n

It was 2020 when Brenda DeCambra enrolled at Leeward Community College\u2019s Waiʻanae<\/span> Moku Education Center<\/a>—a year marked by significant personal and global challenges. While the world was shutting down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DeCambra was undergoing drug treatment and filing for divorce after a 30-year abusive relationship. She also moved in with her sister and brother-in-law in Waiʻanae<\/span>\u2014both of whom were attending Leeward CC<\/abbr><\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n

\"Brenda<\/p>\n

DeCambra said that seeing her family\u2019s commitment to their education served as powerful inspiration. That, plus her desire to make a better life for herself, her six children and her five grandchildren, fueled her desire to pursue higher education.<\/p>\n

“I wanted to prove to my children that anything is possible, no matter your age or your past, as long as you are determined and motivated,” DeCambra said.<\/p>\n

DeCambra said adjusting to college life was tough, especially with technology-heavy coursework, but she found strength in the support from tutors, mentors and professors.<\/p>\n

“Waiʻanae<\/span> Moku has made me feel at home, and the environment is safe for learning and growing,” said DeCambra. “I was able to be myself and not be judged by anyone, which means a lot when you come from a background of addiction and family struggles like mine.”<\/p>\n

Waiʻanae<\/span> Moku has made me feel at home.
—Brenda DeCambra<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

DeCambra will graduate on May 9 with an associate\u2019s degree in liberal arts before transferring to University of Hawaiʻi<\/span>–West Oʻahu<\/span><\/a> in the fall to pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology. Eventually, DeCambra plans to take her journey full circle by getting a master’s degree in social work and using her experience to help others facing similar struggles.<\/p>\n