Talimagimagi the Voices of The Vanua

  The Hidden Cost of Being the Strong One: Learning That Survival Is Not the Same as Living “Wow, you are so strong Amelia .”I have heard these words many times throughout my life. And every time, I know they are meant as a compliment.But sometimes I wonder if people truly understand what they are praising.Because sometimes strength is not something we choose.Sometimes strength is something life forces us to develop because there is no other option.Sometimes the people who look the strongest are simply people who learned how to survive. And sometimes, behind the person everyone admires for being strong, there is a child who never got the chance to be one.For me, being called strong came with a cost.It cost me pieces of my childhood. The Moment I Had to Grow Up Too Soon I lost my mum while I was still in high school.There are certain moments in life that divide your story into “before” and “after.”For me, losing my mum was that moment.Before, I was a child with dreams, questions, an...

WHO YOU MARRY MATTERS  I didn’t expect a hospital room to teach me something about love, but that night it did in the quietest and most unforgettable way. The corridors were dim, filled with soft beeping machines and the kind of silence that makes you think deeply. I was sitting beside my cousin’s bed, trying to stay calm and present in the moment. Everything felt ordinary at first, like any other hospital visit. But love has a way of revealing itself when you least expect it. Across the room, I noticed a young couple around my age. At first, they seemed like just another patient and visitor in a long night of hospital routine. But as I watched longer, I began to see something different unfolding. She was clearly in pain, her body weak and restless, constantly getting up to throw up. And he never once left her side. He stayed close to her without hesitation, without frustration, and without distraction. When her strength failed, he gently supported her body so she wouldn’t fall. ...

Rising Together: The Power of Community in Fiji Our communities in Fiji have incredible potential when we choose to rise together. Change does not happen only at the top it begins in the way we treat each other, in the choices we make daily, and in the kindness and respect we show our neighbors. When we act with intention and care, we create ripples of positivity that reach far beyond ourselves, touching families, schools, and villages. The power of unity and collective effort is undeniable; small acts of service, listening, and understanding can grow into meaningful transformation. Being the change we want to see means taking responsibility, not waiting for someone else to lead. It means standing up when we see injustice, supporting those who are marginalized, and working collaboratively to solve local challenges. Whether it’s addressing social issues, protecting our environment, or simply uplifting those around us, each action matters. When we unite our hearts and efforts, we move ...

  Source: Fiji Sun. (2025, October 4). Chiefs condemn custom shielding rapists [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://fijisun.com.fj/news/nation/chiefs-condemn-custom-shielding-rapists A call to protect our daughters, restore dignity, and reclaim the true heart of Fijian culture. How did we reach a place where our daughters’ cries are silenced in the name of culture? Where teenage pregnancy is no longer shocking, but expected? Fiji’s rising teenage pregnancy crisis is not just a social issue  it is a wound bleeding from the silence of families, the misuse of tradition, and the neglect of responsibility especially as parents and guardians . It is time to confront what we’ve long ignored  because silence is complicity. In recent years, Fiji has been facing an alarming rise in teenage pregnancies  a national crisis that health experts warn is rooted not just in poverty or neglect, but in silence, culture, and abuse. According to the Fiji Times (2025) , 21 of every 1,000...

   Karoko villagers remind us: Change starts when we choose to be the safe space “ Culture and traditions should never be used to justify violenceWhile culture and tradition are powerful sources of identity, belonging, and continuity  especially in a place like Fiji where communal values run deep they must evolve when they cause harm. ”  These words, spoken by Participant 3 in a recent survey, echo a reality many communities in Fiji continue to face. While culture and tradition are powerful sources of identity, belonging, and continuity especially in a place like Fiji where communal values run deep they must also evolve when they cause harm. Too often, harmful practices or beliefs are defended under the guise of “tradition,” even when they perpetuate gender inequality, silence survivors, or normalize abuse. During a recent community dialogue in Karoko Village, this tension was brought to light. Villagers emphasized the urgent need for safe spaces where survivors o...

  Climate Change and the Loss of Traditional Knowledge Climate change begins its impact at the grassroots level, where the smallest disruptions ripple into daily life. In Karoko, elders spoke about how the collection of mangrove bark for tapa dyeing has become both a tradition and a threat if mangroves are not replanted, the sea wall of protection they provide could vanish. This reflection was a wake-up call: communities must balance cultural practices with sustainable management of natural resources. Villagers shared how planting vetiver grass and replanting trees are not just projects but a legacy for their children. The discussion emphasized that resilience requires both knowledge and collaboration sharing information between villages so solutions spread like seeds. Projects must also be designed to thrive long after external funding ends, which means empowering communities with skills and leadership rather than just materials. Training young people to lead and sustain climate ...