Fijian Family

A few years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Fiji on a humanitarian expedition. We worked in two small villages called Dranikula and Galoa (pronounce Na-Lowa) to build septic tanks. I expected to work hard, to learn about a new culture and even to have some fun; but I didn't expect to be "adopted" into an amazing family. I admired the way the village worked as one large network of families (they even called everyone their brothers and sisters, so it was so hard to figure out who was actually blood related).
I worked on an outhouse and septic tank for an amazing family. They gave me a Fijian name "Asela" and literally considered me family. I had a wonderful Nana (mom) who would cook for us and make us delicious treats for afternoon tea, I had a hard working Tata (dad) who watched over the family, I had some hilarious brothers (Kaju and Romeo) who helped us do the hard work (like hacking roots) and some fun cousins (Lindia and Luggy) who loved to play games with me.

I especially loved my brother Romeo's family. He treated his wife with such amazing love and respect. Him and his wife always had a watchful eye on their cute little boy while also laughing and having fun teaching him how to dance. What an amazing family.

I'm so grateful for the love and example of my Fijian family.