SEVECI Lumelume’s years of village leadership have given him many responsibilities, but the role he values most is one he believes will remain with him for life.
At 63, the Draubuta man from Noikoro, Navosa, looks back on years spent serving his community, first as the village headman of Vatubalavu and later as the mata ni tikina, or district representative, for Noikoro.
Yet beyond the duties and responsibilities that came with those positions, his work in the Seventh-day Adventist Church remains closest to his heart.
“I’m quite content with life in the village and what I’m most proud of is my work with the church (SDA Church),” he said.
Lumelume was born in Draubuta but moved with his parents to Nalili in the mountains while he was young.
When elders later decided to leave Nalili, his parents chose to remain behind and lived there until they died.
Lumelume eventually moved to Vatubalavu where he had maternal links, settling in the village as a young man.
It was there that he built a home, married, raised his children and took on responsibilities within the community.
His service eventually led him to become the village headman of Vatubalavu – a position he held for more than six years.
He later became the district representative for Noikoro, serving for 10 years and looking after nine villages in the district.
When he became the district representative, Vatubalavu still did not have a village headman.
“A meeting was held and it was decided that I should hold both positions until a new village headman was selected,” he said.
He continued as village headman for another four years.
The responsibilities of representing nine villages kept him busy, and he said the role taught him much about the issues affecting people across Noikoro.
“I was always busy in carrying out work in the district,” he said.
Alongside his community responsibilities, Lumelume also served as a church leader and lay preacher.
Juggling the roles was demanding, but his faith remained a priority.
“I know that every role I’ve taken up can all stop but my role with the church will continue because it’s so important to me and my family. I prioritise it,” he said.
For Lumelume, his years of service have been part of village life, but his work in the church is the responsibility he holds closest.
It is also the part of his life he believes has blessed him and his family most.
