Karawalevu believes becoming a Scottish fiREfiGHTER WAS MEANT TO BE

Moape Niunitoga Karawalevu is believed to be the first Fijian to join the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services. Originally from Dravuwalu Village in Kadavu, Mr Karawalevu is known as Mopsy to his Scottish friends and family. This has been his nickname since he moved to Scotland in 2005 after he met his wife Sandra Birse here in Fiji. He then joined the Scottish fire and rescue services in 2008 and went through six months of recruitment training.

He is currently serving his 10th year with the Scottish Fire and Rescue services.

The father of two girls said at first he had to adapt to the lifestyle and the change in weather to fit the country he now calls home.

“It was not easy for me going over to Scotland and the recruitment was hard, but I am happy that I have gone through it,” he said. “I never dreamt to become a firefighter and the first Fijian to do so because people normally come here to join the British Army, but I told my wife I am going to try something different so I chose to be a firefighter and there are no regrets so I am thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to do this job. I was just a village boy that’s living in a foreign country serving for the people.

“I believe before I went over, God has put me into a lot of struggles that taught me to have patience and to believe that anything is possible through hard work and prayers. I believe in a Scottish idiom; what is meant to be for you won’t go past you.”

As a former student Marist Brothers High School and then Queen Victoria School, he completed his secondary school studies and then joined the University of the South Pacific where studied Bachelor of Arts in Management.

“It was a very difficult time for me and my family because I could not complete my studies at USP because I couldn’t pay for my fees,” he said.

“So I had to stay home and worked at the Pacific Theological College as a part timer where I met my Sandra and took the chance that changed my whole life.

“I believe in what my father always advised us, that we should always work hard, have patience and take opportunities as they come.”

The 44-year-old looks back at all the struggles that he encountered back in the village and believes that it was training him for a better future.

“Back in those days we didn’t have much at home back in the village, so dalo leaves (rourou), other vegetables with fish was the number one meal for us. It kept us going and my parents kept on advising us to focus on studies and become someone better in the future. “Sometimes we would get nothing. But the love for one another kept us going strong and shaped us to where we are today,” he said. Mr Karawalevu is currently in Fiji to spend time with family members during the festive season. “I am here to spend Christmas with my family and go to my village in Kadavu, and meet with my relatives,” he said.

“I am so excited that I am here and to strengthen the bond with my siblings and my nieces and nephews in the family.”