To me, paradise as a local is rooted in community, culture, nature, and family. Growing up, the sense of community felt different—stronger, more connected. While challenges like violence existed then too, it still felt more like a village, where everyone looked out for one another. We didn’t just learn from our families or in school—we learned from our neighbors, our elders, and the shared experiences that shaped us.

Paradise is also the beauty of our natural surroundings: the stunning beaches, the joy of families gathered along the shore, and the vibrant local plants and flowers that bloom with the changing seasons. The culture is beyond me, I live my culture and everything it has to offer. From the vibrant colors, to festivities, to the local foods.

Most of all, paradise is my family and loved ones. They are the center of my world, and I truly can’t imagine life without them. They are my heart—my true home.