Queen Alisi Honours Cancer Death Mum
Alisi Rabune, Miss Vodafone Hidden Paradise Savusavu Carnival 2018, dedicated her win to her mother who died from breast cancer five years ago. “It’s been a tough journey without her. I miss her, but I have managed to keep strong,” said Ms Rabune.
She said that the difficulties she faced without her mum shaped her into the person that she has become now.
“It’s my life story and how my mum raised me. No matter what, one should always keep going,” said Ms Rabune.
The 22-year-old, who is currently studying at University of the South Pacific (USP), said it was quite difficult to balance the carnival with her final exams.
“I really had to take out time to study, but at the same time I was also focused towards this carnival,” she said.
“It’s a very emotional as well as a happy moment for me because it never crossed my mind that I would win.”
Ms Rabune said that she had also been sick throughout the week and that made it quite difficult to give her best shot at the carnival. “But I tried my best and kept
strong,” she said.
Ms Rabune said the carnival proved to be a milestone for her because she had been able to advocate issues she strongly identified with. “Women and child empowerment are very important and it’s really important that we talk about the issues facing them,” she said.
If given the chance to change something about the society, Ms Rabune said that it would undeniably be the way we treat our women and children.
“Our children are our future and I really believe that we need to change our perspective as to how we treat them,” she said.
She also said that nurturing in the early days was also vital because it helped to shape a child’s future. Her message to everyone is for people to follow their hearts and success would eventually follow.