The first baby of the millennium was welcomed into the world by a couple in Ba, Fiji, just five minutes after midnight on January 2, 2000. According to coverage from The Fiji Times, the newborn was named Samisoni Vu Ruanaudolu, with the third name symbolizing the year 2000 in the Fijian language.
His parents, Luke Waqalevu, 35, and Merewalesi Lewe, 27, were filled with joy at the arrival of their son, who weighed in at 3.95 kilograms. Born at Ba Mission Hospital at precisely 12:05 AM, Samisoni was honored as the first baby boy of the new millennium, and could potentially receive a monetary reward of $5,000 from the Government.
The couple, originally from Nawaqarua, Ba, already had a five-year-old son as their eldest child. Mr. Waqalevu expressed surprise at the award for being the first millennium baby boy, stating that he only learned about it after Samisoni’s birth. Should he indeed receive the reward, he expressed his intent to donate some of it to his church.
In a delightful parallel, the first baby girl of the new millennium was born in Lautoka at 1:10 AM to 21-year-old Joshika Chand. This 3.67-kilogram baby girl marks the couple’s first child, with Ms. Chand mentioning that if her daughter is recognized as the first millennium baby girl, she plans to establish a bank account in her child’s name using the award.
This story not only celebrates the joy of new life but also reflects a sense of hope and promise for the future of these children as they represent the beginning of a new century. The monetary awards serve as a reminder of the community’s support and potential for growth that lies ahead for families bringing new generations into the world.
Overall, this delightful incident illustrates the essence of new beginnings that the turn of the millennium symbolized, inspiring both parents and communities to invest in their children’s futures.
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