26-year-old Emily Selala, who is a primary school teacher by profession, was born and raised in Taveuni, the garden island of Fiji and knows too well the struggles she endured with her parents and nine siblings on the island, which motivated her to always return to her roots which is farming every time she is on school break.
Selala, who hails from Ucunivanua, Verata in Tailevu and shares maternal links in Batinivuriwai in Wainunu, is currently teaching at Loreto Primary School in Levuka.
She told fijivillage News that children and youths should work and toil the land and engage in farming as farming proceeds are rewarding.
She says her parents toiled on the farm and sold grog, dalo, and other vegetables, which paid for all her sibling's school fees and supported their daily livelihood in Taveuni. Selala says she is grateful to have such a humble upbringing, which enabled her to achieve her dream of being a school teacher now.
She highlighted every time she visits her home in Taveuni, she takes their horse and heads to the farm.
She can still recall her childhood memories and the struggles she endured that have pushed her to be the person she is today.
The 26-year-old is urging children and youths to always remember their upbringing despite their success and what level of education they have reached.
She reminds youths to always remember who built the foundation of that success. Selala says whenever she faces hardships in her place of work, she thinks of her parents back in the Taveuni, and this pushes her to achieve her goals.
