In 2018, young Temalesi Alutakua was preparing to celebrate a school achievement when a severe asthma attack struck, turning the day into a near-death medical emergency.

Eight years later, now known as Tema, the 23-year-old is celebrating her victory as Miss Charity at last month’s 70th Anniversary FMF Hibiscus Festival—using her platform for a mission that reaches far beyond her crown.

A school prize-giving rehearsal in 2018 became a life-changing moment for Alutakua, when the asthma attack brought her to the brink of death.

Representing the National Fire Authority, Tema sees her crowning not just as a title, but as an opportunity to encourage youth and support children facing adversity.

Recalling her ordeal, Tema says medical staff struggled to revive her before she slipped into a coma for nearly half an hour. During that critical window, her father arrived at the hospital and prayed continuously at her bedside.

Tema believes the experience strengthened her faith and gave her a clear purpose in life.

“Even though I seemed dead at that time, I saw myself going through a dark valley, but then I saw a light in the distance and heard biblical words that gave me hope again.”

Growing up in a Christian home, she was deeply influenced by her parents, who left their former careers to pursue full-time ministry at the World Harvest Centre.

Her journey to the Hibiscus stage came with financial pressures, workplace commitments, and skepticism from critics who believed pageantry clashed with her faith.

Working full-time in her church’s Children’s Ministry, she sacrificed her steady income by taking unpaid leave to participate.

However, Tema viewed the festival as a mission field to reach people beyond church walls, while her partnership with the NFA helped her build confidence and connect with the widercommunity.

“Young women can pursue their dreams and take up opportunities while still holding on to the things they value in life.”

With qualifications in child and adolescent mental health, psychosocial support, and substance abuse advisory, Tema continues to serve youth through scripture classes at CMF Primary and CMF College.

Raised near Lami—a community often labeled a “red zone” due to reports of crime and drug activity—she advocates for empathy over judgment when dealing with young people.

For Tema, empowerment means listening to youth, helping them recognize their worth, and creating spaces where they can fulfill their potential.

While born and raised in Fiji, Tema’s maternal heritage ties her to East Kwaio in the Solomon Islands. She is preparing for her first journey to her ancestral village of Olomburi next month.

Through an upcoming mission trip, she hopes to establish a Good News Club for local children and encourage more youth participation in community outreach.

“Young people should stay true to their values, resist the pressure to please everyone, and keep developing their abilities because they all have something valuable to offer.”

From a life-threatening crisis to winning Miss Charity, Tema Alutakua’s journey demonstrates how adversity can spark a lifelong commitment to serving others.