MANY people have had the fair idea that moving from rural to urban areas will give them a better life and allow their children to be well educated and be well versed with today’s changing world.
But others think otherwise and believe they are born to fit in just well to village living.
Loata Lawaniku is a true testament to this as she has a life account to share regarding the joys of simple and joyous living in the village.
She is a simple, outspoken housewife from Draiba, Navosa who struggles daily to assist her husband put food on the table and provide for her family and the needs of the vanua and the church.
We caught up with the 41-year-old on her return from the upper Sigatoka River to fish for her family lunch.
She was more than willing to share what life was all about in the highlands which basically sums up simplicity and love.
Growing up, Ms Lawaniku did not have any idea at all that she was going to spend the rest of her life in the village.
She attended the village school more than 30 years ago with an adored dream to become a better person and earn an employment for herself.
But as she grew older, she slowly realised that her life revolved around the village and moreover around her parents and close family members and relatives.
It has been the life she has never regretted living as she has always dedicated her life to her only child, husband, vanua and the church.
She describes life in the highland as relaxing, simple and just right.
“In town, everything has to be bought, when there is no money, we may find it really hard to look for something to feed our family,” Ms Lawaniku said.
“Here in the village life is so easy because we eat whatever surrounds us and most of the foodstuff are fresh and readily available on our farms and even in the rivers where we go fishing.
“Such has been life for me all these years and this is why I love life in the village.”
The only day she gets to travel to Sigatoka Town is on Saturdays when she joins other villagers for a day at the market to sell their week’s harvest.
Other than that, the rest of her days are simply spent either on the farm with her husband or out in the Sigatoka River where she would spend at least half a day to fish for her family’s lunch or dinner.
It has been a life with no regrets, one of courage and love and bravery.
Ms Lawaniku has become stronger day by day by heeding the call of the vanua and ensuring every need is met but for her, family always comes first before all else.
She adds life in the village is about dedication, bravery and believing that everything is done for the best and for the benefit of every individual.
