MEET Finnish-born song writer/artiste, Sandhjia Kuivalainen, who says she is not the typical ‘white girl’ having deep Guyanese roots as she has been visiting Guyana since she was just three months old and considers Guyana as her second home.The 23-year-old returned to Guyana two years ago and got married in traditional Hindu style to her sweetheart, Joni Salovaara, who is an athlete and is pursuing studies to become an electrician.

Sandhjia was born in Finland to a Finnish father and a Guyanese mother, the daughter of a well-known local photographer who hails from Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.
She told this publication that her mother is Hindu and she grew up in the culture which fascinates her and she even performs puja (religious prayers) as part of her daily routine in her homeland.

“ALBUM TITLED “GOLD”
This upbeat young lady has her album “Gold” with her single “Hold Me” being released on Finnish airwaves on more than 10 radio stations.

She graduated as a nurse two years ago but likes music, including our local music and prefers Indian songs to which she can dance very well.
At a traditional Hindu wedding recently she wore a sari as well as her friends, who are here in Guyana to attend the Hindu wedding ceremonies of two of her male cousins.
Sandhjia said she enjoys the best of both Finland and Guyana even though the cultures are very different. However, she has adopted and grown accustomed to Guyana although at first she was in awe as it relates to hospitality and our togetherness as a people.

But after visiting for more than a dozen times she understands the way our people live.

She stated that even though she is not Guyanese, she fits in anywhere she goes and admires the local people and their lifestyle and even has many friends here.
This talented young lady has a small band of four with two back-up singers and recorded her song in English which is being played on the more popular radio stations in Finland.
She acknowledged that at first the Finnish people were not taken up by her song since they felt she was a foreigner but nevertheless it became a hit.
Sandhjia told this publication that life in Finland is diverse, the climate is very cold and they have free education and health care.
She noted that their society is one where there is minimal crime and it is a safe place to live since women can walk at any hour of the night without coming to any harm.

Michel Outridge photos saved in a file in Graphics as: Sandy, Indian girls and Group.