First overseas mission not easy for Tuisavuna
Leaving my family for the first time is not easy, says Warrant Officer Selaima Tuisavuna before leaving for Golan Heights yesterday.
She was among the 215 soldiers who departed on a direct chartered Ethiopian Airlines to Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel at about 12am today.
The Labasa Hospital nurse will lead the medical team for the yearlong peacekeeping mission. Mrs Tuisavuna was speaking to the Fiji Sun after their final parade at the Queen Elizabeth Barrack before they departed for Nadi.
“I am so thankful and fortunate to be a member of this contingent,” she said.
“I will do my best out there and my family's expectation of me is to be the best.”
It is her first experience on a peacekeeping mission.
She had undergone training at the Black Rock in Nadi and a six-month attachment at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua.
“This is going to be hard for me, leaving my husband and son behind,” she said.
“My parents also travelled from Vanua Levu to see me off.
“My mum and dad came from the village, but unfortunately my dad could not make it to the QEB today to see me off. “He is sick. A couple of days ago he had a surgery, so he is at home, but I am fortunate that mum, my husband, my son and my cousin are here with me.”
Mrs Tuisavuna hails from Seaqaqa in Macuata and is married to Meli Tuisavuna of Nakelo in Tailevu.
Their 19-year-old son is a foundation student at the University of the South Pacific.
This is going to be hard for me, leaving my husband and son behind. My parents also travelled from Vanua Levu to see me off. Selaima Tuisavuna Republic of Fiji Military Forces Warrant Officer