Features
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From Mosquito Nets to a Growing Lautoka Tailor Shop
From stitching at 17 to running a buzzing tailoring shop on Lautoka’s Nede Street, Jyoti Bala’s story is a testament to grit, resilience, and a lifelong dream that wore into reality.
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How a Fiji Driver Built a Four-Carrier Empire in Suva
From Sigatoka’s humble beginnings to four carriers in Nabua, Arvin Kumar’s road to success blends grit, risk, and family. He turned early struggles into a thriving transport business, with his son now helping steer daily operations. A story of perseverance and practical wisdom that shows how determination can pave the way forward.
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Fijian Floral Entrepreneur Blooms with Handcrafted Accessories
From plant stalls to petal-powered fashion, Lusiana Dansey is growing a vibrant flower business with handmade accessories like flower tekiteki, leis, and decorated clips. Her work blends culture and craft, winning the hearts of USP students and market-goers while she hunts for unique materials and new venues. “I will continue to bloom—one flower at a…
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Nakasi Family’s Budget-Smart Grocery Routine Puts Nutrition First
A family man shows that value goes beyond price—it’s about nutrition, care, and smart shopping. From local markets to shared duties at home, his weekly routine focuses on wholesome meals, quality checks, and a festive New Year plan that brings everyone together.
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Qiri Kava Lights Up the Capital as Youth Share Love for the New Year
Rhythmic tins and drums filled the capital as a Nakauvadra youth group brought Qiri Kava to life for Vakatawase. Beyond the performance, their message of love, unity, and gratitude echoes through the crowd, turning the New Year into a moment of reflection and celebration. A powerful glimpse into a tradition that binds community, faith, and…
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What Keeps a 93-Year-Old Fiji Grandmother Going?
At 93, Bertha Jean Bharat faces each day with clarity, gratitude, and a deep love for family that has anchored her through decades of change. From dawn prayers and tending a garden to the simple joys of everyday life, her story blends resilience with warm, enduring faith. A portrait of living fully through small rituals…
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From Fan to Fiji’s Top Hockey Official: Astral Smith’s Inspiring Rise
From a high school pastime to the global stage, Astral Smith’s journey proves that passion can rewrite a career. A turning moment in the stands set her on an unlikely path—from player to influential official—changing the pace and purpose of the game. A compelling look at how dedication can reshape hockey from the inside out.
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Fiji’s Qiri Kapa Youth Drumline Turns Tradition Into Opportunity
At 22, Waisea Lagilevu leads a spirited youth drumline, blending tradition with purpose to bring joy—and a little extra pocket money—during school holidays. From Sorokoba to Lami, the qiri kapa group uses rhythm to foster faith, responsibility, and community spirit. A tale of culture meeting opportunity, where every beat carries hope for the year ahead.
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Natovi Jetty Roti Vendor: Five Decades of a Fiji Entrepreneur
At 62, Makitalena Yalimai rises before dawn to run her roti stall at Natovi Jetty, a decades-long journey defined by grit, family, and community. Beyond selling food, she mentors other women vendors and envisions spaces that elevate everyday livelihoods—a testament to resilience turning hard work into hope.
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From Humble Roots to Sevens Legend: The Waisale Serevi Story
Behind Fiji’s rugby legend lies a tale of courage, craft, and staying true to home. Waisale Serevi’s rise—from humble schoolyards to sevens superstardom—proves that a small frame can carry a huge heart and a game-changing dream.
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Pandemic Pivot: How a Fiji Teacher Found His Voice in Music Education
At 24, Avish Kumar swapped civil engineering for a music-filled classroom in Velovelo, Fiji, redefining what teaching can sound like. He weaves technology with tradition, turning lessons into a doorway for discovery—a moment with a harmonium hints at a bigger journey. A story of passion, persistence, and the power of finding your voice.
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Indigenous Agroforestry Vision Rebuilding Soil and Communities
An intimate fusion of ancestral wisdom and modern agroforestry, this story follows Joeli Savou as he treats soil as a living library and people as caretakers. A journey toward resilient landscapes, empowered communities, and sustainable food security.
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Rekindling Hindi in Fiji: An Educator’s Enduring Mission
From Mumbai’s classrooms to Fiji’s villages, a veteran educator has spent four decades nurturing young minds and championing Hindi and Sanskrit. Her inspiring journey—built on cultural devotion and resilience—offers a glimpse into how language and tradition endure across generations.
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Fiji Tourism Pioneer Errol Fifer Turns 100
Centennial cheers for Errol Fifer—a life spanning a century of change, challenge, and cheerful resilience. From Australian greens to Fiji’s hospitality heartbeat, his journey highlights bold entrepreneurship, lasting friendships, and a season of heartfelt goodwill.
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Nausori Market Vendors Find Independence and Healing During the Holidays
At Nausori Market, selling is more than a livelihood—it’s a lifeline. For Tokasa Cavukali, the daily routine brings independence, relief, and a quiet, hard-won hope. As the festive season nears, a message of kindness and unity shines through the busy stalls.
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Young Woman Takes Control After Diabetes Diagnosis
Facing a diabetes diagnosis in her teens, Gillian Kumar refused to let fear steer her future. She redirected guidance into daily choices, backed by friends, and discovered a path of resilience and purpose. A story of turning challenge into motivation and hope.
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The Diet and Discipline Behind a 92-Year-Old’s Longevity
At 92, Kanchan Kaur attributes her vibrant life to simple, disciplined habits—mindful eating and steady activity learned early on. Her story suggests longevity comes from daily choices that keep body and mind sharp, not from luck.
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Small Gatherings, Big Spirit: A Fiji Grandfather Redefines Christmas
At 86, Vanavasa Vone finds Christmas glowing in the warmth of family, love, and shared moments at home. Once a village-wide feast, the season now shines in intimate gatherings—with a hopeful wish that younger generations carry the light forward.
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Christmas Hope: Jesus’ Message of Peace, Justice and Compassion
Against the backdrop of a troubled world, Christmas whispers of a deeper peace and a hopeful rescue. It calls us to turn kindness into action—lifting the vulnerable, seeking justice, and sharing joy in small, meaningful ways. A season of reflection that invites us to live out the true message of Christmas in our daily lives.
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Age-Defying Milestone: Fiji’s First PhD in Philosophy at 76
Iliesa Samulala, 76, defies age as he earns a PhD in Philosophy, exploring how culture, faith, and technology shape Indigenous identity and wellbeing. A story of lifelong learning, community spirit, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
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Fiji’s Hindi Revival: A Retired Teacher’s Quest to Preserve a Language
In Fiji, a veteran educator keeps Hindi alive beyond the classroom—with short poems, storytelling, and quiet mentorship that spark a new generation’s love for the language. From cherished Ramayana memories to a grandmother–grandchild dialogue on history, her five books hint at a deeper mission—navigating publishing hurdles and the crucial role families play in language retention.
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Fiji’s Mr Sam: Hip-Hop Rooted in Family and Real Life
Mr Sam, Fiji’s rising rapper, turns everyday life into compelling hip-hop. From Naloto roots and church hymns to life as a devoted father, his verses blend perseverance, gratitude, and community—with a festive season gig on the horizon that hints at more to come.
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Fiji Mom Turns Small Food Stall Into a Purposeful Family Venture
At dawn, Miriama Baleinabau tends her Nasinu stall, turning humble ingredients into nourishing meals for her family. A tale of hard work, tradition, and unwavering purpose that shows how resilience can shape a lifetime.
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Dawn at Suva’s Small Stall Sparks Big Community Impact
Before dawn, at a tiny stall near Government Buildings, 63-year-old Qei starts a daily ritual of tea, roti, and pudding. What began as a humble table has become a lifeline for her family and a comforting staple for workers and neighbors alike. Her secret isn’t in the menu—it’s honesty, humility, and kindness that turn a…
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Long-Awaited Christmas Homecoming Sparks Family Reunion
Three years away at USP, Keresia Ledua returns home for Christmas, eager to reunite with her grandmother and the family she’s missed. This holiday centers on togetherness, a village gathering, and the warm joy of being back where she belongs.
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Fiji’s 23-Year-Old Civil Engineer Defies Bias, Wins Female Topper Prize
Esther Tui Tikoicolo’s journey from Rotuma to Fiji National University is a masterclass in resilience against gender bias. At 23, she earned civil engineering honours and a prestigious prize for the top female topper, propelled by unwavering family support. Her story hints at a rising chapter for women in engineering and the power of perseverance.
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Fiji’s TISI Sangam 100th Anniversary: Honoring Founder Sadhu Kuppuswamy
With Sangam Fiji approaching its centennial, the enduring legacy of founder Sadhu Kuppuswamy continues to illuminate the South Indian community in Fiji. Through memories shared by elders and devotees, the journey—rooted in education, unity, and service—still shapes Fiji’s multicultural fabric today.
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Ask Before You Buy: A Fiji Shopper’s Plea for Safer, Informed Choices
Ask first, know more, protect your family. A seasoned local shopper from Davuilevu emphasizes that curious questions at the store can lead to safer, smarter choices. Her message is simple: curiosity is a powerful shopping tool.
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Fiji Family’s Christmas Blessings: Land, a Car, and a Quiet Sacrifice
During a festive season of hope and sacrifice, a Fiji family marks two major blessings—new land and a car—that change their everyday lives. Yet behind the smiles lies a father’s quiet vow to put family first, a reminder of resilience, faith, and the true spirit of Christmas.
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England-born 21-Year-Old Heads to Fiji for Christmas Homecoming
Twenty-one-year-old Mereani Matakibau trades holiday gifts for a heartfelt homecoming, traveling from England to Makadru Village in Fiji. By boat with her father, she’s set to reconnect with grandparents, soak in island life, and rediscover her roots this festive season.