A former member of Grace Road Church (GRC) is urgently appealing for government assistance to reunite with her two young children, who remain at a church-operated farm. Under a condition of anonymity, the distraught mother, originally from Korea and now a U.S. citizen, shared her painful experience of being separated from her family during her eight years in Fiji.
The woman reported that upon arriving in Fiji with her son, who was just five years old at the time, she and her husband faced immediate separation from each other and their children. Family visits were rare and limited, often reduced to once a week or even longer gaps. “We thought this is the work of God, so yes, we can do this,” she recounted, referring to the demanding work conditions imposed by the church. She described working shifts lasting at least 12 hours, seven days a week, with no days off.
After the birth of her second child, a four-year-old girl, her situation worsened. Despite the brief opportunity to stay with her daughter for a year, the child was soon placed into the care of church “aunties” as the mother was assigned to work in various GRC companies. The mother highlighted the difficulty of her living circumstances, which included cramped conditions with multiple women and limited access to technology and education for her children.
Determined to provide a better life for her children, the mother made the difficult decision to escape the farm, expressing her fear that they would be forced to work like “slaves.” The mother’s story sheds light on the distressing conditions faced by some families within the church community.
In response to these allegations, Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua has urged law enforcement to further investigate the situation. Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that an investigation is already underway.
This situation raises important questions about the rights of individuals within religious organizations and the responsibilities of local authorities to ensure the welfare of families. As investigations progress, there is hope that this mother will soon be reunited with her children, paving the way for a brighter future for them all.
Summary: A former member of Grace Road Church is seeking government help to reunite with her children who remain on a church-run farm after years of separation. She reported harsh working conditions and limited family time, leading her to escape. Authorities are investigating the claims, bringing about hope for her reunification with her kids.
Leave a comment