US ambassador to Fiji Joseph Cella says his wife Kristen has been the backbone of his career as a diplomat.
Mr Cella said his wife stood by him through some of the toughest moments of his political career.
“I want to take this moment to thank another great leader I love the most, my beloved wife, Kristen,” he said while delivering his speech on leadership at the 2020 Leadership Fiji graduation at the Holiday Inn in Suva on Friday night.
He said his wife was from a humble farming family background and mother to their seven beautiful children.
“Giving birth to seven children is a tough job.
“She has been my prayer warrior, homeschooling mum, my best friend from the day we started dating.”
He said his role was to serve and represent the US principles to allies and partners in Fiji.
He has been working closely with the NZ High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr to ensure the underprivileged in Fiji are assisted.
Mr Cella said Mr Curr had been his mentor, a friend and fellow man of faith who had a beautiful sense of otherness.
He said they had been working together during this pandemic to ensure the marginalised were assisted.
During these difficult times, he said we should never lose sight of those who were first forgotten.
