#SivaSamoaStories — Perseverance & Determination.
→ I was 5 years old when I was first bullied. I was in Primary School & couldn't speak English. I could only say my name & 'toilet please' (just in case, lol) & I had a tough time communicating with my peers because my first language was Samoan. My parents were determined I wouldn't fall behind. I began tutoring & they were invested in making sure I wouldn't feel that way again. I went on to top the state in Maths in Year 3 & top the state in English in Year 6.
→ I was 15 years old, this time I was in high school when I was bullied again. I was in all the top classes with Asian, Indian & Caucasian peers. Some of my Pacific Islander peers called me "fia-palagi"/ "fia-maualuga" & what began as verbal abuse, turned into food being thrown at me when I walked passed, pushing & shoving. I felt lost, confused about my identity & didn't feel like I belonged, even to my own people. I was as proud as them to be a Pacific Islander but singled out & name called. My parents found out & were determined to change my mindset. My parents flew me to Samoa where I spent some time in Samoa College. Amongst my own people, my own age, this time they were goal orientated, celebrated differences and all wanted to achieve & see myself and each other achieve also. I returned to Australia with a new sense of determination to keep on keeping on! My Mum encouraged me to engage in community work. I started to feel like a valued Samoan & Pacific Islander. I felt like I really belonged, like I was worthy in my own skin.
→ I was 23 when the burn of bullying returned. It was 2 months ago when I was bullied on a public forum for beginning these lessons. People of all ages & walks of life had something to say about me, about these lessons, about my past, my abilities, my intentions & my foundation despite never having met 99% of them or had any personal interaction with most of them. I must admit, there was a second where I thought, "Really? Again? I'm an adult!? When does this stop?" & things were so distasteful I could have let it break me! I could have ended this before it even began. But as you can tell, my parents didn't raise a quitter & true to their teachings, I persevered. I was determined to offer a service tailored to the individual needs of girls & women of all ages, of all skills, no matter what their story, or their goal. I wanted to be their bridge between two cultures - Australia & Samoa. There have been a few challenges (injuries, storms etc) but I will never deter from a dream or a goal just because of others words or actions towards and/or against me. A true testament to someone's charachter is what they can build out of everything everyone throws at them. Doubt, belittlement, bullying etc has led me to build bonds, help girls & women grow as performers & as Teine Samoa ♥
Wherever you are, whatever you're facing, remember that you can always fight darkness with light, ignorance with education & overcome obstacles with fa'aaloalo (respect) & alofa (love)! Don't give up, PERSEVERE & STAY DETERMINED.
Much love, Janina Ruta.
