Sixty-year-old Peniasi Dobui is living his best life yet, despite living with disability.
He lost both his legs in an accident when he was just 25 and not only has he learned to handle life without legs, but he has also managed to provide for his family for years.
The Nasigatoka villager from Rewa surrounds himself with the love and support of his wife Vasemaca Dobui from Lomanikoro village also in Rewa and their daughter Keresi Gabriel Dobui.
He believes their endless sacrifices are enough motivation to keep him going.
“It was in 1990 and I had just returned from Lebanon and was on my two-weeks leave. A brother of mine asked that I accompany him to work in a factory in Lami while awaiting to return to the military camp. It was on that fateful first day of work that I encountered the mishap,” said the ex-serviceman.
“Looking back now, I realise that I have been living without my pair of legs for 34 years and I am thankful that the Lord spared my life and gave me another chance to live life once again and be a living testimony so that others living with disability are encouraged to stay strong and forge on, ” he smiled.
Following the accident, simplest tasks such as getting out of bed and going to the washroom became almost impossible.
However, with the help of a Japanese expert at the Tamavua hospital, where he was admitted for three years, he recovered.
He returned to the village and adjusted to his new lifestyle, thinking about what could do to survive.
“In 1995 I started farming as I knew that I should provide food for my family. I took a knife and started preparing a small plot and started planting dalo,” he said.
“I knew I could not sit around doing nothing and I could not burden and depend on others for my survival. I was an independent person from the start and was not going to let my disability change that,” added Peniasi.
When he first started farming, Peniasi had to struggle. He had to learn to manoeuvre his way around the land.
“With the uncertainty of my situation, my experience was never been a bed of roses. I trained myself not to be disheartened, not to give up but believe there is always a silver lining at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Farming gave him his daily dose of happines. He expanded his farm and is harvesting year in and year out.
His relatives in the village and neighbouring communities place their orders during harvesting period and most times, he transports his bundles of dalo to the Nasali Landing where his produce gets sold out.
Peniasi’s farm is a testament to his unwavering spirit and ingenuity.
His fields flourish with dalo, watermelon and vegetables, cultivated with methods tailored to his unique needs.
His successful farming venture has provided not only for his family’s needs but has also allowed him to achieve milestones like building a canteen and purchasing a car.
His story stands as a powerful example of how perseverance and creativity can turn seemingly insurmountable obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Peniasi is now using innovative farming methods such as the weed control maze for his dalo and a nursery for his vegetables.
“In March this year, I upgraded my farming method with the help of my brother residing overseas who sent materials for the nursery and the weed mat,” he said.
“It has helped in the control of weed, reduced labour, and the contraction of diseases associated with water and farming.”
With the support of relatives, Emoni Toalevu and Maikali Rasuaki, Peni’s farm has an abundance of dalo, watermelons and assorted vegetables.
Peniasi is a jack of all trade. He is not only a farmer but also a fisherman, carpenter and an automobile driver.
“There are others around us who are without a leg or hand but they have hidden talents. My advice is if you push yourself to break barriers you will achieve great things. Do not think you are helpless or be ashamed of your situation. I am confident in saying that you can still achieve and do a lot if you put your heart and mind to it,” he smiled.
“And to those that have both legs and hands and are roaming in towns and cities, I urge you to return home and make use of the land. Loitering in the urban centres will one day get you into trouble, so please return to your villages and utilise the land,” he urged.
“I am grateful for the love and support that I receive from my wife and daughter, my family members, my neighbours and friends, and those who have helped me become independent 34 years ago.”
With a determined heart, Peniasi plans to expand his farm and plant other varieties of dalo and vegetables, from tomatoes and cabbages to eggplants and watermelon.
Agriculture Assistant Rewa, Sowinden Tekairaba, said the ministry recognised farmers with special abilities.
“Peniasi is a hardworking farmer and his farming expedition is an inspiration to others. There is assistance available in the ministry for people with special abilities and the Rewa office will be visiting him and assisting him in the next financial year to help elevate his plans.”
To date, Peniasi has planted a total of 1,700 dalo (3 months). He has also planted 200 tomato plants and plans to cultivate another 600 on his one-acre piece of land.
As he looks to the future, Peniasi remains focused. His journey is a profound reminder that true success is not measured by the absence of challenges but by the ability to rise above them and make a difference in the world.
In celebrating his achievements, we honour not just his personal triumphs but the broader lesson he imparts: that with grit, resourcefulness, and a supportive community, one can transform adversity into a path to success and inspire others to do the same.
- Note this article has been edited for space and style. (Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Facebook Page)
