Meet Vivienne

Meet Vivienne, known as Vivi, named after Mrs. Vivienne Harland, founder of the Fiji Deaf Ministry. Vivi is a hearing 19 year old, and the daughter of Mesake, the first deaf youngster found by Mrs. Harland at the start of the Fiji Deaf Ministry. Mesake attended a camp in Savusavu run by Vivienne and her husband Geoff, missionaries in Fiji, near Mesake’s home. 

Vivienne then taught Mesake to read in a Bible class in her home. He basically grew up in her home in Fiji. He later married a wonderful deaf woman, Seriana--- a marriage, if not arranged, at least strongly encouraged by Vivienne. Mesake and his wife moved into the small apartment underneath Vivienne and Geoff’s house. They later moved to the western side of the island, near Nadi, where they started their own deaf ministry. 

They now have 8 children, Vivienne being the eldest. Vivi recently returned to Suva to attend university. She is staying in our main hostel, helping out with the children there while taking classes. Since Vivi has spent most of her life interpreting for her parents, she has become an excellent signer, and interprets occasionally for church services on Sundays. We’re encouraging her to become a teacher at GSD when she finishes her degree. Mesake works as a carpenter during the week in Suva, and stays in the Junior boys’ hostel, mentoring the boys there. He does excellent work, and we’ve just hired him to build a new playground for our younger students. 

This is Vivi (below), with her brother and sister when we first met the family on our arrival in Fiji. We’ve enjoyed watching her grow into a wonderful young woman with many talents and a sparkling personality. 

Below is a picture of Mrs. Harland, affectionately known as Bubu (pronounced Boombu) which is Fijian for grandmother. Vivi is her yaca (pronounced yatha), Fijian for namesake. Her legacy continues on here in Fiji.