Features
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Miss Samoa Sparks Youth Empowerment Through Culture and Education
From the tranquil village of Vaisala to the international stage, Iliganoa Feagaimali’i Soti weaves education, leadership, and cultural pride into a powerful story of service. A lecturer, mentor, and advocate for youth, her journey highlights resilience, empowerment, and a deep commitment to community.
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From Rice Paddies to Shoe Repair Shop: Fiji Entrepreneur’s Resilient Rise
From Fiji’s rural paddies to a bustling repair shop, Abdul Azam’s journey proves resilience can turn hardship into opportunity. Leaving school early, he built a life through grit and steady work—repairing shoes, bags, and more. A powerful reminder that determination can redefine a future and inspire others to pursue their own dreams.
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First Women at Fiji’s Montfort Technical Institute: A 1996 Milestone
Montfort Technical Institute in Savusavu marked a turning point in Fiji’s education, openly welcoming female students into technical programs once reserved for men. From cabinetmaking to sustainable farming projects, its early days hinted at a future where local, hands-on learning could redefine opportunity. Inclusive education, enduring impact, and the promise of change—this is the story…
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Life Insurance Wake-Up Call: A Young Fijian Reboots His Finances
Autopilot gave way to a bold pivot in a young professional’s life. A shift in how they think about money—and the role of life insurance—becomes a catalyst for discipline, smarter planning, and long-term goals. A candid journey that hints at how small changes today can secure a brighter tomorrow.
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Adult Education Comeback: Woman Returns to School After 22-Year Gap and Excels
Twenty-two years after leaving high school, one woman’s return to education turns doubt into achievement. She earns top honors and sets a new course for her future, proving it’s never too late to start over.
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Isabella Mageo Brings Military Values to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant
Isabella Ah-Mu Mageo, Miss American Samoa, brings military discipline and leadership to the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Nadi. Guided by seven core values, she reimagines the stage as a platform for principled leadership, culture, and empowerment.
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From four-dollar days to a 10-acre harvest: a Fiji farmer’s journey back to the land
Separated from his family as a child and forced to hustle for years, Ledua Qalobula’s journey circles back to the land. Through hard work, rekindled faith, and a life built on farming, he forges a hopeful future for his family—and for his community.
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Labasa Grandmother Defies Stereotypes as Waiqele Airport Bus Driver
At Waiqele Airport, a Labasa grandmother is rewriting what it means to drive. She greets travelers in a bright three-tone bus and offers a free ride, all while balancing home life and a daring new chapter behind the wheel. A quiet tale of courage, resilience, and breaking barriers.
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Shopping as Self-Expression: Fiji Singer Embraces Freedom Over Budget
Veniana Grace Vuata, a rising singer from Fiji, treats shopping as self-expression rather than a budgeting chore. With quiet confidence, she chases quality and the joy of the moment, turning everyday errands into a celebration of choice. Her story challenges the idea that shopping must be about restraint.
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Valentine’s Day Gift Idea: The Brut Grooming Hamper for Confidence
Valentine’s Day is the moment to give something personal and practical. A thoughtfully curated grooming hamper pairs a timeless scent with everyday essentials, turning self-care into a meaningful gesture. Subtle, confident, and ready for whatever the day holds.
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Fourth-Generation Farmer in Viria Builds a Legacy for the Future
From four generations of farming in Viria, a fourth-generation grower imagines more than crops—a future shaped by family, discipline, and the promise that land can unlock opportunity.
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First Female Pacific Freshwater Scientist Uncovers Fiji’s Damselfly Breakthrough
Meet a Pacific freshwater science pioneer whose damselfly research helped crown a brand-new Fiji genus, Nikoulabasis. Her work reshapes island biodiversity, strengthens wetlands conservation, and paves a bold path for regional freshwater science—and for students exploring marine science and ecology at USP.
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From Skeptic to Security: A Single Mom Embraces Life Insurance
Becoming a parent reshapes priorities in surprising ways. A single mother’s journey shows how life insurance becomes more than a policy—a shield for her child’s future and a new sense of financial calm.
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74-Year-Old Fiji Dairy Farmer Proves Age Is Just a Number
At 74, a dairy farmer keeps his family legacy alive with a dawn-to-dawn routine and a stubbornly resilient spirit. His lifelong journey—from humble beginnings to tending a daily herd—offers a stirring glimpse into the grit and independence that fuel life on the farm.
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74-Year-Old Dairy Farmer Defies Retirement to Keep the Farm Going
At 74, Koki Lal rises before dawn to manage a bustling dairy farm, milking, mending, and tending 70 cattle with unyielding devotion. From humble beginnings to independent farming, his daily routine is a testament to resilience and the enduring rhythm of the land.
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From Santo to USP: A Vanuatu Student’s Resilience and Growth
From a rural village in Santo, Vanuatu, Resian Saul is carving a path toward a commerce degree at USP with quiet grit and a lifelong-learning spirit. Juggling studies with a campus job, she embodies the idea that growth blooms in its own season. A testament to resilience, family roots, and the power of starting small…
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Fiji’s Next-Gen Learners Shine at FNU 2026 Roadshow
Two inspiring Fiji stories reveal how resilience and education open doors to brighter futures. A 24-year-old primary school teacher-in-training draws strength from her mother’s example as she pursues further studies, while a teen facing immense loss aims to help secure the nation’s harvest through agriculture. The FNU 2026 Roadshow is bringing these opportunities to communities…
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Suva Market Florist’s Independence Shines During Valentine’s Day Rush
Two decades in Suva’s market have shaped Rigieta Takayawa into more than a florist—she’s a small-business owner who thrives on independence, listening to customers, and the moments flowers create. From the dawn Valentine’s rush to long, careful days of crafting bouquets, her story hints at passion, perseverance, and the quiet power of blooms.
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Why This Single Mom Put Life Insurance at the Heart of Her Financial Plan
For Priya Lata, being the sole provider sparked a bold shift: money isn’t just for today—it’s a tool to safeguard tomorrow. Her move from hesitation to proactive planning shows how life insurance can become a quiet shield for her family, easing daily stress and bringing lasting peace of mind.
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Tonga’s Diaspora Contender Heads to Miss Pacific Islands 2026
Born on a German US military base and raised across North America, Siosiana Patricia Taumoepeau carries Tonga’s heritage on a global stage. The 24-year-old is set to represent Tonga at the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant in Fiji, weaving faith, family, and a passion for heritage preservation into her journey. Her story hints at how diaspora…
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Fiji Dairy Farm: Hand Milking Keeps a Family Legacy Alive
Before the sun rises, a Fiji dairy farm comes alive with the old art of hand milking. A mother and daughter keep a family legacy afloat, weathering rising costs and tough odds with unwavering grit. It’s a tender portrait of resilience, shared labor, and the stubborn hope that tradition can endure.
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Fiji’s Former Police Officer Turns Yaqona Farmer, Finds New Prosperity
From the hum of a city desk to the quiet rhythm of the land, a former police officer finds renewed purpose on a Namosi yaqona farm. With his son by his side, he tends aging plants on a steep hillside, learning that hard work and soil can heal the soul. A tale of resilience, family,…
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Fiji Parents Build Online Network as Lifeline for Children with Disabilities
From isolation to connection, a Fiji-based online network is bringing together families caring for children with disabilities. Fueled by a devoted mother’s mission, the community shares practical tips, swaps essential supplies, and offers steadfast support—while dreaming of dedicated daycare and therapy spaces that empower every child.
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From Security Guard to Teacher: A Fiji Woman’s Late-Blooming Education Dream
From juggling work, family, and late-night study, one woman discovers that it’s never too late to chase a dream. Through the Matua Programme, she turns setbacks into a stepping stone toward higher education and a future in teaching. A hopeful reminder that resilience can rewrite a life’s path.
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Fiji Farmers Diversify and Learn on LandCare Tour
Farmers from Fiji’s central and eastern divisions travel north to share skills and turn challenges into harvests through the LandCare programme. A mix of resilience and innovation—diversifying crops, new local products, and sustainable farming practices—highlights how communities support each other across regions. This exchange shines a hopeful light on collaboration and a stronger, more secure…
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Kiribati’s Miss Kiribati Champions Climate Action and Community Uplift
A 23-year-old Kiribati trailblazer blends heritage, service, and climate resolve as she steps into the spotlight, charting a hopeful path for her community and the Pacific.
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Dairy Farmer’s Adopted Trio: A Lamb and Two Goats Create a Family
Three orphaned youngsters—Bibi the lamb and two baby goats named Miti—find a home with Sanjita Kuar, a dairy farmer who treats them as family. Each dawn brings milk, treats, and a bond that grows deeper with every moment. A tender glimpse of resilience, care, and the quiet magic of chosen family on a humble farm.
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Age Is No Barrier: Transport Manager Graduates Through Matua Program
After more than two decades away from the classroom, 39-year-old Irene Jotika Nair returns to study and earns top marks in the Matua Program. Her leap from the transport sector to the brink of teaching is a powerful reminder that age is just a number—and that determination can reopen the doors to your dreams. A…
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Fiji’s Family Farm Teams Spark a New Era for Homegrown Harvests
Elesi Mila and Aleveo Basaga are reshaping family farming in Fiji with a collaborative approach that treats the farm as a family business. Through talanoa-based planning, they’re diversifying crops, adding livestock, and bringing healthier meals closer to home. A quiet revolution in livelihoods, dignity, and shared purpose is taking root one farm at a time.
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A Young Adult Wake-Up Call: Why You Should Start Life Insurance Now
Patrina discovered that life insurance isn’t just for later—it can be a steady source of peace of mind and practical security you can build now. A short story about balancing ambition, daily life, and the quiet confidence that comes from being prepared.