Living the village life has its pros and cons, especially in this day and age where people are continuously working to earn a living.
You grow up, go to school, graduate, find a job, earn money and live a life where you have to make wise decisions as an adult.
This is basically what it is to live in the city.
In the village, though, you tend to experience something totally different, a little bit ‘stress-free’.
Tupa Rarawa, was born and raised in Urone, Vanuabalavu in Lau, with maternal links to the same island in Susui Village.
He has experienced both the village and city life, and if there is one thing he agrees with, that’s the fact that living in the village is so much easier and free.
“We were raised in a totally different environment where we live on the food we plant and get from our farms,” Tupa said.
“It’s less stressful compared to living in the city.
“You don’t have to worry about paying bills like electricity, water or rent, but there’s one thing that’s certain, we all have to work hard in order to survive.”
The 39-year-old is a stern believer in the saying, ‘Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice.’
Knowing that having anything in life is worth having when it comes from patience and hard work, has definitely made him dedicated and confident as he slowly moves towards his goals.
“You will survive in this world, when you work for it,” he said.
“In the city, you have to look for a job, get paid, so you can pay the bills and for your food.
“In the village, you work hard in the plantation, go fishing, climb for coconuts, so you can provide food for the family.
“Though it may not seem like much to other people, but it’s a free life.
“You don’t have to worry about things that you would usually worry about when living in the city.”
When asked what he would change in his life while growing, the Adi Maopa Secondary School ex-scholar said he would love to revisit the time when he was in school and focused more on schoolwork.
“The peer pressure was real back then,” he laughed.
“I was a very sociable child, was never shy, got along pretty well with adults, and the rest of my classmates.
“But, it was also a time where I made a lot of mistakes.
“Peer pressure got to me, but I’m grateful that I was able to go though that so I could learn from it.”
Now, Tupa is a waiter at Hot Pot Restaurant in Suva, and for three months since he started, he has been saving up for the renovation of their family home in Vanuabalavu.
“I’m working really hard right now so I help out my family in whatever way I can for the renovations of our home back in the village,” he said.
“And I encourage kids these days to work hard as well, in school and at home.
“Education is free. Kids should make use of this opportunity,
“Please make sure you are making your parents happy by giving them good school results.
“Study hard, [so you can have a bright future, and be able to help your parents later in life.”
