BY early morning, Timoci Rawakula is already on the move.
His feet gets wet from the cold waters of the Wailoa River as he makes the first of four crossings for the day.
He is from Laselevu Village in the district of Nagonenicolo in Naitasiri.
For Rawakula, the river is part of life. It stands between him and the farm that keeps food on the table for his young family.
“This morning I finished having breakfast and quickly made my way up to my farm,” he said.
When The Sunday Times and Na i Lalakai teams met him, Rawakula had just crossed the river on his way to Udu Village, where he shares maternal links.
With his trousers rolled above his knees, holding his farm knife, he moved carefully through the current before continuing along the muddy track leading to his farm near the Wailoa Power Station.
Every day begins the same way.
“In order to get to my farm, I have to cross this river four times,” he said.
That journey can be tiring, especially during periods of heavy rain when the river suddenly rises and becomes dangerous to cross. On those days, work comes to a halt for Rawakula.
“When the weather is bad up here, we cannot cross the river to go to our farm.”
Despite the challenges, Rawakula continues to tend to his yaqona and vudi plantation, along with small vegetable plots that help feed his household.
“Whatever I get from the farm, I sell and whatever money I earn sustains me and my family,” he said.
Rawakula is married with five children.
Three of his children attend primary school while at home, two toddlers wait for him each afternoon, one aged three and the youngest turning one this year.
For Mr Rawakula, the long walks, across the river and muddy tracks are all part of a father’s responsibility, making sure his children are cared for every day.
