Hey sis, I’ve been working on a personal project called the – Maroroi Project – and it you’re wondering Maroroi is a Fijian word that means to protect or to keep sacred.

It started as a way to help Fijian families with simple, local advice about keeping our kids safe online. But sis, life be lifing – I became a first time mom, and recently entered a whole new chapter as a commonwealth British Army wife. And you know what? Cchhhiiiild this project had to grow with me too.

Now the Maroroi Project is about protecting what matters most – not just online, but in every season: our peace, our faith, our families, our digital spaces and the rhythms that make us feel safe and whole.

What Opened My Eyes

One day I came across a post of a child – someone else’s child – whose photo was used in a way that made me deeply uncomfortable. I thought of the own kids and it made me realise that if I’m not paying attention, I could be leaving them unprotected.

And there’s that one time that I worked at the OSC in Fiji and chhhiiiild, the stories and lived experiences – I saw first-hand the reality that so many Fijian families are trying to navigate: online abuse, cyberbullying, exploited photos and videos, unsafe chats – all wrapped in the challenges of our cultural expectations, family dynamics and respect for authority or at least those perceived to be in it.

Our love for community and our deep cultural ties – which are obviously so beautiful – are sometimes exploited rather than protected online, and sis, that is not okay.

So no, online safety is not just some IT thing or new craze about things going viral. It’s a heart thing, a family thing, a values thing.

Why This Matters for Families

Here are some. truth that have shaped how I now see this space:

1. Our homes are now digital: From homework being done on parents phones or laptops to cartoons to weekend scrolls – the internet is part of our children’s daily lives. That means our parenting needs to show up there too.
2. Online harm = Real life harm: Cyberbullying, scary content, online predators – chhhhhiiillld, these things are not just happening ‘overseas’. They’re happening in Fiji too. And the impact is lasting.
3. You don’t need to be a tech expert: Sis, you don’t have to know all the apps. You just need to care, show up, ask questions, and learn together. It’s more about the heart not the hardware.

Simple Ways to Start Today

Here are a few things we’re doing in our home to keep it both digital and peaceful:

• Tech-free zones: There’s not screens at the dining table or bedrooms at night.
• Talk often: We ask what we’re watching, who we’re chatting with.
• Use controls: We filter Youtube and use parental settings.
• Lead by Example: We often have to put our phone down when want our boys full attention.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about being present and intentional.

A Good Word

One of the scriptures I hold close is this:

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, (first part of Psalm 127:3)

If God has trusted us with these little lives, it’s our job. to guard them – physically, emotionally, and digitally.

We don’t protect because we’re afraid. We protect because we value them – Vei Maroroi – with everything we’ve got.

Sis, my hope is that we treat online safety the same way we teach our kids to respect their elders, brush their teeth, pray before bed or look both ways before crossing the road. Let it become normal – part of everyday parenting. Not scary. Just wise.

You don’t need to get it all right. You just need to show up.

Stay Blessed

-A