AT 56, Nemani Ramasei has travelled across almost every corner of the United States, driving through 48 contiguous states as an interstate truck driver.
Originally from Nakaulevu Village in the tikina of Nakelo, Tailevu, Nemani now calls Sacramento, California, home, where he has built a life for himself and his family.
His journey to America began in 2002 when he travelled on a tourist visa.
However, circumstances surrounding the 2007 death of his brother, Nimilote Verebaga would change the course of his life.
Nemani subsequently applied for political asylum and obtained his residency papers in 2014.
For years, he was unable to return to Fiji, finally making the journey home in 2023 following the change of government. Becoming a US citizen was a milestone he described as deeply fulfilling.
The Tailevu man shared that his work as a truck driver is about more than earning a living, as he takes pride in knowing that the goods he transports across the country help keep one of the world’s largest economies moving.
“The money is good, really good,” he said.
Nemani acknowledged that business had slowed slightly in recent months but was beginning to pick up again.
Apart from traversing the highways and long-distance journeys, Nemani remains interested in the political and economic direction of the country he now calls home.
As the US holds its midterm elections, he was among those participating in the democratic process, casting his ballot yesterday at the US Embassy in Tamavua.
He said rising living costs and fuel prices were among the biggest concerns for ordinary Americans, particularly those working in the transport industry.
Nemani revealed that he has decided to support the Democrats, hoping a change in the balance of power in Congress could bring some relief.
Holding dual citizenship, he is also eligible to vote in Fiji’s upcoming general election and he believes that the importance of voting transcends political affiliations.
“Elections are the only process through which we can raise our voices. If you want to change the government, you have to participate in elections,” he said.
Having made a life thousands of miles from his birthplace, Nemani has not lost sight of his connection to Fiji and the importance of having a voice in shaping its future.
