‘I treat them as if they were my own’

Foster mum motivates adopted twins as they sit FJC exam

Like most parents whose children are sitting the Fiji Junior Certificate (FJC) examination, Eta Nabotiloma is working to motivate her adopted twins to success.

Ever since losing their navy father when they were only a year old, the twins, Joseph and Elai Salabogi, have been blessed to be always reminded about him, thanks to their foster mother.

“I treat them as if they were my own,” Ms Nabotiloma said.

“Their father was my husband’s brother and after he passed away, we adopted the boys and from that time till today, we still love them dearly.”

In an emotional interview with the Fiji Sun, she recalled how her daughter, Selai Nabotiloma would always call to check up on them daily. “My husband and Selai always counted them as their own and my husband is happy because having them at home reminds him of his brother,” she said.

“I am open with them and I always tell them of their father.”

Being members of the Catholic Church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Lautoka, she said attending mass was priority for the family.

“I always encourage them to attend mass because that was the only way to get them through life,” she said.

This week, Ms Nabotiloma, has been readying the twins, now 15-years-old, for the FJC examination.

“Since their FJC began, previously I would always ensure that time was put aside to study so that they prepare well for their exams.”

“This year, we continuously motivated them to study hard and I always remind them to give their best in school so that they can grow up to be successful in life.