"Home was my first classroom of language" - Ratu Balenaivalu

Updates / Community, 7 Oct 25

Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale — My language starts at home. My name is Ratu Timoci Rokobosara Balenaivalu, from the Yavusa Waimaro, Koro ko Nakorosule in the Yasana of Naitasiri with maternal links to Vadrai, Nakelo in Tailevu. I come from a proud Fijian family that has always carried language and culture at the heart of our identity. For me, family is not just about blood ties but about connection — to each other, to our ancestors, and to our vanua.

Growing up surrounded by family has taught me many lessons that shaped who I am today, especially through the guidance of my Mum and Dad. They molded me with discipline, love, and values, and instilled in me the truth that “Na ka kece o cakava ena vakaraitaka na vanua o cavutu / lako mai kina” - Your deeds and actions reveal the land and people you come from.

Though I am now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Fijian language remains an anchor in my life. Home was my first classroom of language. It was there that I learned to listen, to greet with “Bula,” and to use everyday words of respect. It was at home that I heard dialects, proverbs, and wisdoms that cannot always be translated into English, words that shape the way we think, feel, and live as iTaukei.

Coming overseas to study was not easy. It was scary at first, being far away from my family and my two mentors — my parents. But their voices carried me through. They would always remind me: “Kua ni guilecava na vuna o lako kina” (Never forget the reason you started) and “Mo vakararavi tiko ga vei Jiova, ni na solia vei iko na vuku kei na kaukauwa” - Always trust in the Lord, He will give you wisdom and strength. These sayings became my guide as I pursued a career in the medical field, more focused on Radiology, a path that runs in my family through my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and my mum.

Now working at Astra Radiology at Allevia Hospital, I am proud to say I have made it this far — not just for myself but for my family, my vanua, and my community. And I know language has been a big part of this journey.

One of the greatest challenges of living overseas is balancing modern life with traditional values. English dominates every space — from education to work to social media. It is easy to get comfortable and neglect Fijian. But I have learned that when we lose our language, we lose a part of who we are. Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale reminds us that revival begins at home. If we are intentional at home, then our language survives outside too.

Language is not only preserved in books or classrooms, but in everyday conversations. When we pray in Fijian, when we greet our elders, when we teach our children the words for the land, sea, and food, thus we are safeguarding the heartbeat of our culture, “Na vosa sai koya na bula” — our language is life itself.

To my fellow Fijians and Pasifika family, I want to encourage you to strive and work hard. Carry your language and identity with pride wherever you go. Let us speak Fijian in our homes so that future generations will not only know where they come from but walk proudly with that knowledge.

My journey has taught me that language is more than communication — it is belonging. It is our anchor, our foundation, and our legacy. Na noqu vosa me na tekivu mai vale is not only a theme for this year’s celebration but a lifelong truth. If we start at home, we will keep our language alive for generations to come.

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