My family was at the mercy of violence. My father was a brutally violent man who used to beat my mother, which resulted in the miscarriage of my two unborn older brothers. It was the same situation when I was in the womb. However, my mother unselfishly decided to leave my father and raise me on her own. Thanks to her, I was born and have survived until today. Now I have the dream of seeing all of Kiribati’s children grow up in a caring, peaceful, and prosperous country.
Life seems unfair for children who are never given a chance to say something and must accept and face all the consequences of their parents’ decisions. It is even more saddening when you see other fellow kids growing happily, being scolded, guided, and cared for by both parents.
While I was at university, a national survey result based on data from 2008 to 2009 was released that stated about 81% of adults inflict abusive and physical punishment on their children. Schools are no exception, either. And in 2010, the prevalence of violence against women and girls in Kiribati was some of the highest in the Pacific region—and the world. As such, I decided to take some steps to help my people.
In 2013, I accepted the assignment from the Kiribati Ministry of Education and started visiting all islands in the country, campaigning to end violence against women and children and improve access to education. I delivered inspirational messages to young people. And the following year, at the age of 25, I was appointed as the youngest team leader of the Community Consultation Team organized by the same ministry. This in itself went against the traditional values of seniority, and as a leader, it was very challenging to work with the elderly.
Through these activities, I met many people who were hearing the concept of positive parenting for the first time. They believed that violent discipline was good for a child’s development. But most of them gradually came to understand that child abuse was the root of many contemporary social problems. Eventually, some of them volunteered to adopt better parenting methods and thanked us for opening their eyes. There was also a similar change among the school teachers.
My utmost dream is to see children grow up in a peaceful country and reach their maximum potential in life. I am sure this dream will become a reality. That’s why I am devoting myself to community service activities to make this come true.