Stories From Kiribati

Below is the lyric of a sad song composed and sung by Nei Kauee (Kiribati well known female singer) and her group FOB - a local string choir which was so popular in 1980s. The four verses of the song together provide a summarised account of what really happened to Te Roota and passengers who were onboard her at that miserable trip. Te Roota was a passenger boat running mainly between Tarawa and Abaiang islands. It was owned and run by the people of Nuotaea village on Abaiang island. This trip...

I was thinking of my brother who was very ill at the hospital. I wanted him to get well soon so that he could be home with us as one happy family. I loved and missed him as he had not been around for days. While thingking of him, I remembered my Heavenly Father, the only one, who could make my brother well again.

As I prayed, I remembered all the things my brother often did for me when I needed help. I did cry while asking my Heavenly Father not to take my brother away from us. I also a...