Rokosuka, Nawari answer call of duty
It is never easy for parents to leave their families and children behind, but one must when duty calls. For Captain Loraini Rokosuka and Corporal Jo Nawari, they have sworn allegiance to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, and they have been called to serve as peacekeepers.
Captain Rokosuka and Corporal Nawari are part of the 78 RFMF personnel who left the country on Thursday, bound for Iraq on a 12-month Tour of Duty (TOD) under the United Nations Assistance Mission Iraq (UNAMI) programme.
For Captain Rokosuka, her biggest challenge was leaving her children behind as she heads out on her first tour of duty.
“It is difficult leaving my children and going for this tour of duty (TOD),” the 38-year-old from Nayavu, Wainibuka, in Tailevu said.
“But I have sworn allegiance to Fiji and the RFMF. My children and family will be sacrificing a lot for me so that I can fully commit to this mission in Iraq.”
She is married to Wiliame Navunicagi of Viseisei Village in Lautoka.
The couple have two children, Samisoni Navunicagi and Ariela Ranadi Navunicagi.
Corporal Nawari, on the other hand, understands the sacrifices made and was looking forward to the tour.
“This is my second TOD to Iraq, and I am looking forward to this mission. Even though I am going to miss my family, there is a task ahead of me to fulfil,” the father of three said.
The peacekeepers boarded a direct chartered flight to their destination.
Also on Thursday night, a group of Fijians serving in the British Army, who came over to spend Christmas and New Year with their families here, were seen at the Nadi International Airport returning to their respective destinations.
A group of Fijian peacekeepers are expected to return on Monday.