Who is Pacifikana?
Marika
Pacifikana was set up after Marika was jailed for a bar fight. Please click here to read his story. Marika served the British Army from 2000 and was one of the first soldiers who came over from Fiji to join the army. Full of hope and good spirits he passed through his initial training in Pirbright and was then posted in Münster, Germany for 3 years.
That's where he met Birgit, his girlfriend of 4 years. Marika was sent to fight in Iraq and was in one of the first infantry battalions crossing the border from Kuwait to Iraq. He fought his way to Basra, losing good friends along the way. Fortunately, he was not injured. He stayed in Iraq for 3 months, facing danger every day.
After Iraq he was posted back in England where he fulfilled ceremonial duties with his regiment and took part in "Trooping the Colour" on the Queens Birthday. He successfully climbed the career ladder and was a Corporal before being dismissed from the army.
He completed his course to become a sergeant but, strangely, two years later had still never been awarded his promotion. Other soldiers who did the course after him were promoted.
Due to an incident on St. Patrick's Day 2006 he was sentenced to 16 months in prison were he has to serve 8 months and is due for released on the 24th of September.
His case is on appeal. The first appeal was denied but a new appeal has been handed in and he is awaiting the outcome. He is marked for deportation back to Fiji but is fighting to stay here and to be awarded a fair trial where the truth can be heard and his name cleared.
Birgit
Birgit, Marika's girlfriend from Germany, will marry him sometime next year when everything has returned to normal and they both know where they will be living. Their future is dependent on the outcome of his trial. The sentence and unfair trial has been testing for her but she is fighting back and established this website for Marika, to support him and to collect signatures and letters. Birgit realised that there were probably more people out there who had a similar dreadful situation that affected their lives and would like to publish their stories on this website. Birgit came to England to live with Marika after undertaking an MBA in Australia. For two years she has been working full-time in Exports for an English company and also established her and Marika's business, Pacific Spirit.
Birgit's Family
Birgit's family supported Marika and Birgit during this difficult time and helped to research information for the website. Mari generously lent Pacifikana the funds to establish this website and Birgit's parents supported Pacifikana to create the logo. Thanks a million for this!
Alisi and Marikas Family
Alisi, Marika's sister, and her family pray for us everyday. Thank you so much for asking God for his support. We know that everything happens for a reason and God is guiding us. Alisi is our contact in Fiji for people who would like to participate and share their stories. Please
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to email Alisi.
Sandra
Sandra helped to research the contents for this website and hopes you enjoy it. Thank you Sandra for contributing your time to Pacifikana.
Chris
Chris, an expert in creating websites with the free software, Joomla, worked night and day to ensure this website went online in time. Thank you Chris for even working weekends! If you are interested on his services, click
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.
Beate
Beate, professional designer, created the wonderful Pacifikana Logo and gave individuality to our website! Many thanks, Beate! If you like her fantastic work, you can contact her on her website.
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