Being a Police Officer on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused Constable Savenaca Joape to miss two very important moments in his family’s lives. Specifically the birth of his daughter in May last year and his son’s birth in May this year.

However, last Sunday he was able to make up for some lost time when he got to mark Father’s Day with his children at their home in Lautoka.

His four-month-old son, Manasa Koroivere was born at the Viseisei Health Centre in Lautoka on May 7 this year. However, he was on duty working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services as they were implementing strategic plans to lockdown the Lautoka Hospital at the time. As a result, he missed the birth of his son.

It was similar situation last year when his daughter, Grace Faith Vinakaidakuna was born on May 1, 2020, at the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva. At the time, he was on duty and on the frontlines due to the pandemic.

“I’m very happy to spend father’s day with my family since most of the time I spent at work during this pandemic,” he said.

“For last year I was not able to spend Father’s Day with my eldest daughter because I was working in an operation.”

He said he would take advantage of every available moment he had with his wife and two children.

“The best part of being a father is the unconditional love that my children freely give when I come home after a stressful day at work,” he said.

The Fiji Police Force released a brief statement on Sunday urging members of the public to celebrate Father’s day responsibly in their homes while adhering to restrictions.

“We understand that many will want to gather and celebrate Father’s Day, but we are reminding Fijians to remember that we must not be complacent with covid safe measures,” the statement read.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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