WHEN 93-year-old Bertha Jean Bharat talks about the past, her voice remains lucid and calm.
Her memory is crystal clear, reaching back to a time when telegrams were sent and life was simple and unhurried.
Her petite frame tells of her journey, demonstrating that one can age gracefully with a healthy lifestyle.
Regardless of her age, Bertha still finds pleasure in cooking, cleaning and backyard gardening at her Raiwaqa home.
Growing up
Born on October 30, 1932, Bertha was raised in Levuka where she lived in Vagadaci with her maternal grandparents and parents.
Her father had moved to Levuka from Labasa with his brother when his parents passed away and had fallen in love with Bertha’s mum.
Bertha was born to two doting parents, who prioritised their children’s wellbeing.
From Levuka, Bertha accompanied her grandparents to Lautoka, where she attended St Thomas Primary School alongside their aunts.
“My father started work at Makogai when we moved to Lautoka. My mother moved to the island to support him. I was in Class 2 at the time,” Bertha said.
“I attended school for three years then moved to Sigatoka to attend boarding school at St Joan of Arc Primary School.
She wass there until Class 6 and didn’t return to school after Christmas because her father had decided that it was better to help her mum at home rather than return to school as she wasn’t ‘good in school’.
Bertha helped her mum with household chores and supported her little siblings for over two decades on Makogai Island.
She had nine siblings, six sisters and three brothers.
“Now only three of us remain. My brother in New Zealand, my sister and myself. I’m older than them.
Life in Suva
“When I moved to Suva I first worked at a milk bar that belonged to a Morris Fan. I worked there for 15 years until it closed. I also had the opportunity to work as a house girl for an Air Force pilot and his wife.
“After that I stayed home to take care of my mother. She died at the age of 70.”
Bertha has lived in Raiwaqa for over 30 years.
Her Family
Bertha had two children and did not marry.
She raised her two daughters herself, Celine Mary Brown and Theresa Francis.
At 25, Bertha had her eldest daughter Celine on Makogai Island.
Today she has 11 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Her two daughters Celine and Theresa have both passed on.
Her daily routine
At 93, Bertha wakes up at 3am to say her prayers.
At 4 o’clock she is busy in the kitchen doing food preparations. She loves making her grandchildren’s school lunch.
“I also make breakfast when I can, and I do my kitchen chores. After my kitchen work is done I take a 15-minutes break and then continue again.
“I do my own washing (laundry), and I pick up rubbish and rake outside every day. I do a bit of backyard gardening; we grow eggplants and bele here.”
In the evening, she eats her dinner on time and goes to bed at 9pm on the dot.
She doesn’t restrict herself from eating anything.
“I love to eat different types of food, I’m not selective of the food I eat.
“I don’t drink grog or alcohol and I don’t smoke.
“I love to walk. I still walk to the shop, to church and around the neighbourhood.
“Every Sunday I walk to church to attend the 7am Mass and I walk back.”
She is happy to have reached the New Year, still healthy and strong.
Her advice to everyone is to be content with life and to live well.
She thanks her family for being there for her all these years.
Bertha Jean Bharat with her great-grandchildren at their home in Raiwaqa. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
Bertha attends her daughter’s funeral. Picture: SUPPLIED
Bertha (far right) with her aunt and two sisters. Picture: SUPPLIED
93-year-old Bertha Jean Bharat. Picture: SUPPLIED
Back in the days… Bertha Jean Bharat’s father (far left) with his workmates on Makogai Island. Picture: SUPPLIED
