History
St Christopher’s Home in Nakasi, Fiji, stands as a beacon of hope, compassion, and enduring faith. Founded in March 1968 by Sister Clare Masina of the Anglican Community of the Sacred Name, the Home was created to support vulnerable children and unmarried expectant mothers referred by social welfare agencies. Initially run by Anglican sisters, the Home has, over the past five decades, provided care for over 600 children and played a pivotal role in the local community.
The establishment of the Home was closely linked with the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia, a key arm of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. This unique three-Tikanga church structure encompasses Māori, Pakeha (European), and Pasefika (Pacific) streams, ensuring that Pacific voices and leadership are integral to decision-making and mission outreach.
For many years, the Community of the Sacred Name led the Home’s daily operations with unwavering dedication. In 2016, a significant transition occurred when two former Sacred Name sisters, Sr Kalolaine and Sr Vutulongo, founded the Moana Community of Saint Clare—the first indigenous Pacific Anglican women’s religious order. The Moana Community assumed stewardship of St Christopher’s Home and has since continued its legacy with renewed cultural and spiritual grounding.
The Anglican Church’s influence remains strong. Clergy such as Rev. Sue Halapua and Archbishop Winston Halapua have supported the Home’s mission, while the Diocese of Polynesia, now under the leadership of Archbishop Sione Uluilakepa, continues to provide guidance and spiritual oversight. This ecclesiastical connection ensures that St Christopher’s is not only a place of shelter but a spiritual family rooted in Anglican values.
In July 2023, the Home marked a new milestone with the opening of the Moana St Clare Boys’ Home, situated next to the original residence. Opened by Fiji’s Prime Minister Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka and blessed by Archbishop Emeritus Winston Halapua, the Boys’ Home accommodates adolescents aged 12 to 18, enabling older children to remain within a supportive faith-based environment. This development reflects the Home’s holistic approach to care, ensuring continued community and family cohesion.
Today, St Christopher’s Home remains a vital part of Fiji’s social fabric and the broader mission of the Anglican Church in Polynesia. Guided by the Sister in Charge, Sister Kalolaine Tuineau MCSC, and supported by the Diocese, the Home continues to serve as a safe haven for children in need—nurturing not only their physical well-being but also their spiritual growth in the Anglican tradition.