Flower women

from w
A friend recently came back from Fiji and had bought the October Turaga and Marama magazines for his wife. I've borrowed them to read. Both magazines are glossy, full of great photos and informative stories, mainly positive, upbeat and telling of achievements against great odds. I liked the photos of the Naitasiri women who go to Suva market to sell glorious bunches of flowers - wild ginger, orchids, anthuriums and other flowers. About twenty women journey to Suva every Saturday and maybe each make $100. Vinaka vakalevu Alivina, Maria, Meresaini, Ivamere and Litia.

The Turaga magazine this time had many stories of political figures in Fiji over the past fifty years which wasn't as interesting as the ordinary human stories.
I'll write more later.

Marama and Turaga magazines - August

from w
The gossy, colourful magazines from Suva, Marama and Turaga, are both well worth reading. I have the August editions and there are lots of stories about personalities, mainly upbeat, and some articles skirt around politics as well.
I was happy to see a story about my friend Rev Mereia, a woman who lectures these days at Davuilevu and has worked for many years in the Indian Division of the Methodist Church in Fiji. Other stories vary from bios of current leaders to stories of shoe-shine boys.

Marama and Turaga magazines

from w
Peceli brought back the June editions of both Marama and Turaga magazines. They are glossy, about eighty pages, and full of great stories and pictures. Cost $3.95 each which is good value. Mainly inspirational stories of people doing well, often going through a difficult journey on the way. A few ads and government handouts too and some good health articles. Both magazines are published and edited by the same team, the managing director, Ishwar Narayan and they have a website