Introduction
Talofa Lava!
I am Fang Tuigamala, a proud daughter of Samoa and South Auckland. It is from these roots that my passion for improving outcomes for Pacific communities and empowering women and girls was born. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Arts in Pacific Studies, having recently completed a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences with a minor in History.
India, as a vast, populous, and diverse country, is one I’m excited to explore. I am eager to observe how women lead their communities, and how their innovation and resilience shape the future. Amid the challenges India faces, I want to learn how women and girls on the ground are paving new paths and improving outcomes for their people. This is the work I wish to immerse myself in and apply to my own Pacific community, especially as we navigate the existential threat that is climate change.
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The Face of God in Mumbai
It’s beautiful how the stories we tell can come full circle. Recently, I spoke to my congregation about seeing the face of God in the least among us. To illustrate this point, I shared a story about a woman who receives this letter from God: “I will be coming over for dinner tonight. Please prepare…Continue…
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Mumbai: City of Contrasts
Mumbai is a colourful and boisterous city, a sensory overload best captured in its iconic markets filled with eager shoppers. The spices, flower garlands, glittering sarees, and stunning garments make walking through a market in Mumbai feel almost like a fever dream. As I stop to admire stone handbags adorned with pearls, hand-stitched decorative rugs,…Continue…
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A Colossal World
Every day, I found myself saying, “India is so colossal!” And it truly was. In six weeks, I felt like I had done it all—marvelling at the towering Taj Mahal in Agra, standing amongst the countless pilgrims in the ancient city of Varanasi, paragliding over the mesmerising mountains in Lonavala, and exploring both the enigmatic…Continue…