Mereama Taubenau Tavaga, 64, is the kind of woman who brightens a room long before she even speaks.
Her bubbly personality and quick, witty remarks put everyone instantly at ease , a natural gift that makes her unforgettable to those who cross her path.
Unbothered by judgment and unapologetically herself, Mereama embraces life with a joyful boldness many aspire to.
The Sunday Times team had the pleasure of meeting her during her visit to The Fiji Times newsroom last month, where she accompanied her four grandchildren on a school excursion. Amid the laughter and excitement of the children, she shared her remarkable story of living remotely in the rugged highlands of Navosa.
Originally from Bureta Village in Ovalau, Lomaiviti, Mereama is a proud mother of four and grandmother to six.
Despite coming from the outer islands, she speaks the Navosa dialect with ease — a fluency that has earned her familiarity and affection in Nasaucoko and surrounding villages.
Her charm, warmth, and unmistakable energy set her apart. After nearly 40 years in Navosa, she knows the rhythms, challenges, and unspoken rules of remote living better than most — and she carries that experience with a grace that inspires.
Falling in Love
Before marriage, Mereama was a familiar face at the Suva market, where she sold produce with other women from Delainavesi.
“I lived in Delainavesi and used to come into town every day to sell produce with the other vendors,” she recalled.
“Back then my family bought vegetables from farmers in Nadroga and Navosa.”
One of those farmers would eventually change her life.
“My husband was a farmer, and I met him while selling at the market,” she said with a smile.
“We got to know each other well, and during our courting days he invited me to visit his village. I still remember that first trip, I couldn’t believe how far it was.”
It was her first time venturing into the highlands, a completely new world for someone from Bureta Village who had grown up between island life and the bustle of Suva.
“Nasaucoko was a completely different experience,” she said. “But I’m grateful. My husband brought me here, and together we built a life and raised our family.”
The last time Mereama visited her home island of Ovalau was in 2023 for a family reunion. So much time had passed that she barely recognised many of the relatives who welcomed her.
Still, the visit was meaningful.
“After 30 years, to finally go back… I was just happy to set foot in my village again,” she said.
Life in Navosa
Life in a remote place demands grit and for Mereama, diligence is simply a way of living.
“My husband and I, along with our children, farm every single day,” she said. “We live off the land. We grow sweet potatoes, taro, cassava, melons, and vegetables like eggplant.”
Survival in the highlands, she explained, leaves no room for idleness.
“If you’re a lazy person, you cannot survive there,” she said.
“There are no excuses. If you don’t work, you won’t be able to provide for your family, let alone put food on the table.”
Through the strength of their hands and the rhythm of farming seasons, she and her husband managed to put all their children through school.
“Farming comes with its fair share of challenges, of course,” she said. “But we’ve learned to overcome them as they come.”
Now 71, her husband still works the land beside her. She helps him tend the fields, and when harvest time arrives, she takes their produce to market.
“After we harvest, I travel to Lautoka or Nadi to sell our crops,” she said.
“I board a carrier from the village, make the trip down, and return when the work is done. It’s hard but someone has to do it.”
Through every challenge, she finds her strength in faith.
“When life gets tough, I draw my strength from God,” she said.
Supporting her grandchildren
For Mereama and her husband, their six grandchildren are the heart of their world; their pride, their joy, and their greatest blessing.
“We love supporting our grandchildren,” she said with a soft smile. “Even though our own children now have families of their own, we still do what we can to help with our grandchildren’s wellbeing and education.”
She proudly recalled bringing four of them during their school visit to The Fiji Times.
“I’m glad I was part of that experience,” she said. “My grandchildren make me happy, and I pray they all grow up to be successful.”
Despite the challenges of remote living, Mereama says she wouldn’t trade her life in Nasaucoko for anything. Her hope is simple but powerful:
“That people learn to value their families above all else.”
Nasaucoko Village in the highlands of Navosa. Picture: 21 VOID FIJI/FACEBOOK
Right; Mereama visited The Fiji Times office with students of Vatutale Primary School. Picture: FILE
