Halaleva mother mourns loss of two daughters [1]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 18:28. Updated on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 - 21:08.
By Linny Folau
Devastated mother, 'Iunisi Latu (42) of Halaleva is mourning the loss of two daughters Lima Lei (nee 'Alimoni) and Mele 'Alimoni who are among the missing on the MV Princess Ashika sinking in Ha'apai on August 5.
Lima (25) was married with three young daughters and Mele (22) was single.
The grief stricken family has this week gathered at the family home at Halaleva. wearing mourning black and a big ta'ovala, 'Iunisi said she had accepted the reality that her daughters are dead since it has been a week since the sinking of the ferry.
"My only hope is that their bodies could be recovered so I can give them a proper funeral," she said tearfully, while holding her grand daughter Yuli (6), Lima's eldest daughter, to her chest.
She said the whole family is absolutely devastated with the loss.
"I was awakened by the dreadful news early the next morning, August 6 when my sister rang to tell me the ferry that the girls were on had sunk.
"I just couldn't believe it and am still trying to come into terms with the terrible event, in which I have lost two daughters at one time."
Just married
'Iunisi said her daughters were on their way to Vava'u. Lima, who just got married last month, was visiting her husband at Ha'alaufuli. Mele accompanied her because she wanted to visit her uncle at Kameli.
"They were previously in Vava'u a few weeks ago and only returned to Tongatapu on Friday, July 31 on board the Princess Ashika to bring Lima's five-month-old daughter Lu'isa to stay with me, before heading back to Vava'u on the deadly ferry ride."
Lima leaves behind her husband, and the three girls aged 5 months to years old, from a previous relationship
'Iunisi sadly recalled the day they left.
"In the morning they left home for the wharf and they rang me later in the afternoon to bring their bag of clothes because they were going on the ferry, and I did.
"After sending them off I left and as I was returning home Lima cheerfully rang me on my cell-phone saying to take care of baby Lu'isa and that she would be back soon.
'Iunisi already in tears added, "a few minutes later Mele also rang her to say the ferry had safely departed and they were on their way.
Beautiful girls
"I had no idea that this would be the last time I would talk to my girls who were so full of life and spirit. At this stage I am just trying to keep sane and although I have accepted that they are gone by now, I can't seem to get them out of my mind and the little things they did, how they made me laugh and angry are unforgettable memories for me as a mother," she added.
Lima's husband has come from Vava'u, and 'Iunisi was today surrounded by her family at her home. They were all glued to the radio eager and anticipating to hear of any new developments on the recovery efforts.
"I just hope that their bodies would be recovered, so that I can give my beautiful girls a proper burial," said the devastated mother.