Sereima Matea, a resilient 69-year-old, navigates the brisk waters of the Rewa River to collect kai, or freshwater mussels, which she sells for $90 a sack. Though the task leaves her with numb hands and exhausted feet, these challenges serve as reminders of her strength and the journey she has undertaken.
Originally hailing from Nanuku, Yakete in Ba, Sereima’s life took a transformative turn after marrying a man from Naganivatu, prompting her to settle in Naitasiri. Embracing her new community, she learned to adapt to the responsibilities unique to her new environment—one of which entails the demanding work of harvesting kai from the river.
She reflects on the stark difference between simply purchasing kai from the market and the labor-intensive process of gathering it herself. “Collecting kai is not for the faint-hearted,” she acknowledges, describing the trials of enduring cold water and harsh sunlight while performing back-breaking labor. Nevertheless, women from nearby villages begin the day early, wading into the river to secure a living essential for their families.
Learned from her mother-in-law, Sereima mastered the techniques required for this arduous task. She recalls her mother-in-law’s patient guidance, teaching her the locations to search and how to endure long hours in the water. “I was not taught these things back home in Ba, but marriage taught me something just as important—the ability to learn, adapt, and persevere,” the dedicated matriarch notes.
Sereima has been collecting kai since her children were young. Today, she takes pride in the fact that the income generated from her labor helped her three children—two sons and a daughter—obtain an education, all of whom are now married with families of their own.
As her day ends, the cheerfulness brought by her grandchildren fills her heart with joy, overshadowing the physical strains of her labor. “Each sack of kai I collected represented food on the table, school fees paid, and hope for a better future,” Sereima reflects. The hard work has not only been a means of income but also a source of empowerment and fulfillment.
Looking back, Sereima is proud of her achievements, the life she has crafted away from her birthplace, and the lessons learned along the way. “Marriage life teaches us many lessons. One of the greatest is that we must be willing to listen and learn if we are to thrive in the homes we marry into,” she emphasizes. Her journey exemplifies that true strength lies not only in what one knows but also in the courage to embrace new challenges and opportunities.