The global COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns in many locations have changed everyday life in many ways. Cancelations of major events, less social interaction, and isolation have been hard to deal with, but many people are finding ways to learn, grow and flourish.
Sulueti Kama serves as the secretary for the Fiji Suva Mission President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has been many things—Institute (religious studies) teacher, Church communication director, Zumba enthusiast...but never a gardener.
With more time on her hands during the COVID-19 shutdown, she grew green thumbs.
- The best part of Sulueti's day is to be in her nursery working with her plants. Fiji, July 2020.
- "I am so excited this afternoon, to see my completed greenhouse built by my dear husband. My veggies are now sheltered from the midday sun," Sulueti exclaims. Fiji, July 2020.
- Seedlings just popping out of their seeds planted by Sulueti. Fiji, July 2020.
- Sulu's husband, Jese, has been supportive of his wife's interest in growing vegetables. He surprised her with raised benches he built for the 42 pots, making it easier for her to water and pull out weeds. Fiji, July 2020.
- Trays of vegetable seedlings ready to be transplanted into pots. Fiji, July 2020.
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- Sulueti and Jese Kama. Fiji, July 2020.
- For 15 weeks the Kama's have been enjoying the Sacrament at home with family and friends. "We have great peace and reassurance that God is at the helm of our lives. We are so grateful for the home centred and church supported programme of the Church allowing us to continue our Sunday worship despite the closure of all our chapels. Fiji, July 2020.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
In May 2020, she and her husband drove from Suva to Nadi to check on friends who had lost their jobs. Their friends had large farms where they grew their own food. Whilst visiting a local nursery together, Sulueti saw rows of seedings. She was hooked. Her interest with gardening had begun.
Trays of seedlings, tomatoes, cabbages, and eggplant went home with her. She decided to plant them in pots and now has 84 pots full of edibles, including cucumbers, French beans, radishes, and herbs such as cilantro, dill, oregano, and chilies.
She learned about the best soil for planting, researched organic pesticides and traded stories with friends who are farmers. Her husband built her a greenhouse.
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to us, we found a hobby and a skill we never had before and got hooked on it,” Sulu stated.
Sulu’s Facebook posts often include photos of her plants and notations including these: “After an hour of Zumba at 5am I couldn't wait to get home to check on my plants and pot some more. Was so excited to see my herbs--oregano and dill sprouting along with cucumbers...had just planted the seeds on Saturday.”
“I look forward to going home each day to see my plants and how much they've grown even though I'd just been working with them in the mornings.”
What will they do with all the vegetables at harvest time? Sulu knows. “It’s only my husband and me now and we will produce more than we need, so we let the bishop know. We pray our garden will turn out well so he can donate the food to people who need it.”