Fijians nationwide embraced the New Year with a festive spirit, engaging in celebrations filled with family bonding and personal reflection. Many took advantage of the bright summer day to unwind, picnic, partake in sports, and relish time spent with loved ones, reveling in the warmth of the season.
However, for some, New Year’s Day served as a poignant reminder of commitment and perseverance amid life’s daily challenges. Sovaia Sewale, a market vendor from Natavea in Naitasiri, dedicated her New Year’s Day to working at the Suva Municipal Market, preparing and selling fresh produce. With eight children to support, she chose to forgo the typical festive gatherings, finding solace in her efforts to provide for her family.
Sewale reflected on her two-decade-long commitment to this working life, noting that missing important holidays like Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s has become part of the routine. “We prepare everything for them before we come down to Suva for our market day, which usually involves a three-day stay with relatives,” she explained. Despite the sacrifices, her children have learned the value of hard work, with Sewale emphasizing careful preparations that ensure their household’s needs are met.
“This is not the time to make excuses. We have managed to make ends meet, fulfilling our obligations to the Vanua and contributing to the church and family,” she stated, underscoring the importance of family and community support.
In contrast, members of the Suva Zone Kingdom Citizen Congregation gathered at Suva Point for a special New Year celebration led by Reverend Ilaitia Sukanavere, showcasing a diverse array of festivities across the nation.
Throughout Fiji, families took pleasure in the sunny weather, celebrating in parks with picnics and sports, cherishing these moments together. For many, January 1 represented a harmonious balance of reflection, faith, and the simple joys of familial connection, creating a hopeful atmosphere as they welcomed the new year.
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