A member of the Grace Road Church (GRC) who recently escaped the organization is reaching out to government officials for assistance in reuniting with her young children, who remain at a farm run by the church. Speaking anonymously to The Fiji Times, the mother, originally from Korea and now a U.S. citizen, expressed her anguish over being separated from her husband and children during her eight years in Fiji.
The mother detailed the unsettling circumstances she faced upon her arrival in Fiji. She explained that the church immediately separated families upon entry, promising that hard work awaited them in the fields. Despite believing they were engaged in divine work, she revealed the grueling conditions, with workdays exceeding 12 hours, seven days a week, often with no days off.
Her situation worsened after the birth of her daughter, now four years old. She was permitted to care for her daughter for only a year before the church placed the child in the care of ‘aunties’ while the mother was made to work in various GRC companies. The separation took a toll, compounded by limited technology access, poor living conditions, and a strained relationship with her family back in the United States.
The mother expressed a deep desire to protect her children from what she described as a lifetime of exploitation on these farms. Despite her efforts to teach English to the children and bond with her daughter, the restrictions made it nearly impossible to maintain a normal family life.
In response to her claims, a GRC spokesperson declined to comment, directing inquiries to the woman’s husband. Meanwhile, Fiji’s Minister of Home Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, has urged the police to investigate the allegations, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mesake Waqa confirmed that an inquiry is already underway.
This situation underscores the growing concern about the rights and well-being of individuals within organizations like GRC. While the road ahead for this mother remains uncertain, the unfolding investigation offers a glimmer of hope for her and other families in similar circumstances. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family cohesion and the necessity for protective measures within such groups, highlighting a community’s resilience in seeking justice and reunification.
Summary: A member of Grace Road Church has fled and is asking for government assistance to reunite with her children, who are still at a GRC-operated farm in Fiji. She recounts her family’s separation and difficult working conditions over the past eight years. The Fiji police are investigating her claims as concerns grow about the treatment of families within the church.
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