The Vania’s choose to start with family

Everything starts with family.

These were the words echoed by the Vania family who came out in numbers to enjoy their New Year picnic at Suva Point yesterday.

For the Newtown, Nasinu, family, the picnic was not only a celebration of the new year but of their father, Jimmy Vania, who turned 67 late last month.

Mr Vania’s wife, Katarina Mini, 56, said 2025 brought so many things for families the nation and the world.

Drugs related issues trickling down to the children and an escalating invasive behavior that have shaken the core of families, has prompted Ms Mini to push for the need to strengthen family bonds.

“It needs to start with your small family. Family is your church, and family is the nation. Everything centralises from family,” Ms Mini said.

“2025 has probably brought every family with many challenges that have caused chaos, however, as we move into 2026, it’s important to root ourselves in our families, where all things begin.

“When we start rearing our family the right way, it will sprout out into our communities and the nation as a whole.”

Celebrating another milestone, Mr Vania was grateful for the gift of family and shared the same sentiments of his wife pointing that nothing can work well if family is not reared properly.

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