Fijian Widows and Widowers Honoured at Lunch and Dinner Events

As a way of giving back to those who are shouldering the burdens of life alone, appreciation lunch and dinner events were recently held in Fiji for widows and widowers in the community.

Organising the four separate events were Elder Taniela Wakolo, a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Anita Wakolo.

The couple are originally from Fiji but are currently on assignment in the United States. The appreciation lunches and dinners were held during the Wakolo's recent visit home to Fiji.

The Wakolo’s summoned the help of family and friends to help with the events and supply materials for gift bags to be given to the attendees.

The bags included reading glasses, gift vouchers, marking pencils, pencil sharpeners and copies of The Book of Mormon.

Guests were treated to beautifully decorated tables, a lovely dinner and stations where the women could get their nails painted. Commenting on the nail activity, Jasmine Wakolo, daughter of Elder and Sister Wakolo, said, “It made our day to see their smiles, hear their laughter and see their colourful nails.”   

Elder Wakolo shared a message with the attendees on the importance of not only reading the scriptures, but also marking passages that refer to Jesus Christ and which are personally meaningful.

Amelia Bainivalu, 63, said, “This activity really touched my heart and I am thankful and happy to be honoured with these other widows and widowers.”

Local Latter-day Saint leader, Solomone Kaumaitotoya thanked Elder and Sister Wakolo for “their initiative, their counsel and their love.”

He went on to thank the guests for not only raising their children, but teaching them correct principles as well.

Read story in Fiji Sun here: