FOR the past seven years Maria Eferemo has been the favourite person for visitors who stop over at the famous Tavoro waterfall of Taveuni.
The woman of Bouma village has enjoyed her work not only as a tour guide but to register visitors who stop by at one of Fiji's popular tourist sites.
Although most hotels on Taveuni arrange their own tour guides for the visitors, Maria quite often volunteers to guide visitors to her homeland.
The waterfall belongs to the mataqali Naitu'u of Bouma village and has been the main financial source for mataqali members helping fund educational and basic needs.
The mother of eight boys who has to juggle her work through home and office and send her boys off to school has taken each day at a time.
"It's not easy having a big family and looking after this project with more people to handle and if I meet up with some unpredictable customers, it makes it even more challenging," she said.
"My love for my job is really tested during these times but I continue to remain cool and take their complaints on board as it is part of my job."
At the Bouma tourist site, sits three waterfalls with the first one known as Tavoro, the second waterfall about one hour walk away from Tavoro and the third about two hours away. And one of the biggest challenges Maria faces with her job every day is the increasing number of visitors that stop by every year.
"So far this year we have catered for about 1000 visitors and last year we catered for more than 5000 visitors which is why this job is not so easy to handle.
"Only my prayers and God has made me face every challenges that each day has brought as I continue to enjoy my job," Maria said.
Her role includes the safety of visitors while at the site ensuring it's an injury free area with safe walkways in the forest.
At times when a group of tourists don't return on time to the office, Maria has to walk up to the waterfalls to see whether the visitors were okay.
"There have been no serious cases where visitors go missing and we have to conduct a search as the pathway is provided for them.
"But there have been times when they are late by half an hour or 15 minutes and I just go up and check on them and I feel it's my job to do so," Maria said.
Her "job" and its challenges have rewarded her with many friends from all walks of life.
"Although it may not be a big reward, I believe it is more important for me to know my visitors and ensure that they enjoy their trip here because I want them to go back to their countries with fond memories of Tavoro.
"This waterfall has also put Fiji on the world map simply for its famous fall which a lot of tourists visit every day and they take news back home," Maria said.
