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22 COMMUNITYLINK<br />
<strong>April</strong> <strong>15</strong>, <strong>2016</strong><br />
Model of the Fortnight<br />
Culture adds value<br />
to human life<br />
Family welfare,<br />
social tradition,<br />
culture and<br />
religious<br />
values are important in<br />
everyone’s life and at<br />
times it is hard to adapt<br />
to modern ways of the<br />
society, says Elizabeth<br />
Fruean (affectionately<br />
known as ‘Lizze’) our<br />
Model of the Fortnight.<br />
The Tama’ita’i<br />
believes that heritage<br />
is equally important to<br />
‘enhance and embrace’<br />
the life of a Samoan.<br />
She was ‘free as a<br />
bird’ in the beautiful<br />
environment of her<br />
homeland, enjoying<br />
the cool breeze and<br />
morning or evening<br />
walk but the need for<br />
higher education and<br />
better financial resources to support her<br />
family encouraged her to migrate to New<br />
Zealand four years ago to join her two older<br />
brothers.<br />
Lizze, is keen to protect and promote her<br />
Samoan-Chinese ancestry.<br />
Inspiring heritage<br />
“I have left behind my homeland but not<br />
its culture and heritage. They are sacred;<br />
they inspire me to follow my dreams and<br />
keep a sturdy head on my shoulders,” she<br />
said.<br />
Lizze misses her<br />
parents and grandparents<br />
and her younger<br />
brother but is confident<br />
that time and distance<br />
do not take away love<br />
and affection.<br />
It was while pursuing<br />
her studies in Flight<br />
Attendant and Hospitality<br />
at the National School<br />
of Tourism that she<br />
realised her potential as<br />
a model.<br />
“I believe that we all<br />
have a different story<br />
to tell but in the eyes of<br />
God we are all the same,<br />
so believe in who you<br />
are, where you are from<br />
and what you can do.<br />
Do not let people judge<br />
you and put you down,”<br />
Lizze said.<br />
Quoting former<br />
US President Abraham Lincoln, she said,<br />
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution<br />
to succeed is more important than any<br />
other.”<br />
To the young generations of our day,it is<br />
not always about the way you look or what<br />
you have. It is about appreciating what you<br />
already have and working hard to support<br />
your loved ones and the less fortunate, she<br />
added.<br />
-Venkat Raman<br />
Pictures by Bhikhu Bhula<br />
For more pictures of Elizabeth Fruean visit www.indiannewslink.co.nz.<br />
For photo shoot, please contact Bhikhu Bhula on (04) 3887861 or 021-0616030. Email: bqbhula@hotmail.com<br />
You can also follow him on Facebook (Bhikhu Bhula)<br />
The English Fortnightly (Since November 1999)<br />
<strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Newslink</strong> is published by <strong>Indian</strong> <strong>Newslink</strong> Limited from its offices located at Level 1, Number 166, Harris Road, East Tamaki, Auckland 2013<br />
P O Box 82338 Highland Park, Auckland 2143 Phone: (09) 5336377; (09) 3910203<br />
Email: info@indiannewslink.co.nz Websites: www.indiannewslink.co.nz; www.inliba.com; www.inlisa.com
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