Tigi: Time to shine!

Today was a hard day.  For years and years I slaved in the Factory – I saw faces come and go and only a few of us remain in this place to work, I didn’t want to leave the Factory, I was afraid to. 

I’m old now – but my body is still strong like I have just worked the plantation planting my taros.  I came here in the early 60’s to serve this Factory floor and now it’s finally time for me to retire.  Today was the day that I never thought will happen.  To leave this place at this age.

Today was the celebration of me working to put the food on the table for my family all those years.  The key I got today was made in China.  Like everything in South Auckland – made in China. What I love the most now at this time is my Grandchildren – I live for them.

To pass on the gift to them, our songs – that was given to me as a child back in our village – they must carry on these gifts. Our culture must survive, our ways must be taught, and our words must be told to the world.  That is why I am so happy for the EX FACTORY competition – and why I want it more than anyone else.  Our heavenly Father will bless us and give us the strength we need to win this competition. 

Now is my chance to really show my Grandchildren where they come from.  Our performance will be like nothing you have ever seen before – no more hip and hop or lapisi music.  This is our chance to make a change.  It is time for our ancestors to shine.

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