PRIVATE Temalesi Tinai was greeted by a familiar sense of home as she returned from her first tour of duty (TOD), her heart full after more than a year away.
Standing once again on home soil, she absorbed the warmth of family, a feeling she had carried with her throughout her deployment.
Private Tinai served under the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), marking a significant milestone in her military career.
She joined the military in 2015 and is a member of the Army’s Territorial Force. This week, she returned safely alongside her comrades after contributing to peacekeeping efforts in the war-torn Middle East.
With tears in her eyes, she embraced her loved ones, most notably her two children, whom she left behind to answer the nation’s call of duty.
The 33-year-old from Nabouva Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu, held her children tightly, kissing and hugging them as time seemed to stand still during their reunion.
UNAMI was Private Tinai’s first tour of duty, a truly life-changing experience for the young mother of two.
“I learned a lot during this tour. I thank my family, especially my husband, for holding the fort for us as I went to serve in Iraq,” she said.
“It was hard leaving my children behind, but with a good support system at home I was able to carry out my duty.
“I thank my sister and my family for being there as well. They helped raise my children while I was away, I’m indeed grateful to them.”
As a woman in uniform, Private Tinai faced many challenges—chief among them leaving her daughter behind when she was only 18 months old.
At the welcoming ceremony, she had to reintroduce herself to her daughter, who appeared indifferent at first—a reality many working mothers face after long separations.
This is the emotional cost borne by women who serve, returning home to children who barely recognise them.
“As a mother I’m supposed to be here helping raise my children, but when the military calls, we cannot say no because it’s our duty as military personnel,” she said.
“We are there for peacekeeping and we have to always understand what people go through.
“We listen and we learn to adjust according to the situations we face every day to avoid conflict.
“One thing about us Fijians working in war-torn nations like Iraq is that we bring a different sense of hope with how we handle situations.
“We are happy people, and people know that we’re there to bring about peace.”
Now back home, Private Tinai says she is simply grateful to have returned safely.
“Being able to return and to see my family is a blessing, and I’m grateful for God’s protection every day, especially when I was in the Middle East.”
With her deployment now behind her, she looks forward to rebuilding her bond with her daughter and cherishing the precious moments that were lost.
Private Temalesi Tinai was part of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) that returned this week. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
