Bi, 50, raised by iTaukei couple
In the midst of the Fiji Day merry-making and festivities at Nayarabale in Cakaudrove was 50-year-old Fatima Bi of Namoli, Labasa. Ms Bi who was adopted by an iTaukei family when she was just six- years old after she had escaped from her Korowiri home in Labasa. When asked who her parents were she said; “Niulele Kalouniviti vata ‘ei Manoa Kalouniviti (her adoptive parents’ names),” Ms Bi said. Mr Kalouniviti is from Galoa, Namoli, also in Labasa and her mothe is from from Nayarabale.
Bi’s biological parents died when she was very young. She was taken in by her paternal grandfather but ran away after she was abused by a relative, she claimed. She said her adoptive parents had found her along the Korowiri Road and ever since took her in as their own. Ms Bi said; “I have always counted myself as a ‘kai Nayarabale’ and I am here to celebrate with my family. “The love my ‘parents’ had bestowed on me was the same they gave to their other three children and I am always indebted to them. “I have never returned to the house that made me go through one of the hardest time when I was really young. “It goes on to show and that as Fijians, we look after each other and if one is going through a hard time, it is important to help each other.” Mrs Kalouniviti who accompanied her daughter to the event said: “It has been a blessing raising her up and we have never regretted taking her in. “She is a spirited woman and continues to prove to us how fortunate we are to have her in our lives.”
Edited by Rusiate Mataika