Tuwawa Youth

MEET MOHAMMED NAUSHAD KHAN

2008-09-15T14:56:00.003+12:00

Mohammed Naushad Khan was a cut above the rest when he was crowned Vodafone Hibiscus King two Saturdays ago.

Putting aside his handsome crown, Mohammed decided to cook one of his specialties lamb in special sauce. The final year dental student at the Fiji School of Medicine was up for the challenge when approached to whip up something fit for a king. His ideal recipe is not only nutritious garnished with greens but it is something any one can try.

Keeping the budget low, Mohammed said he learnt first-hand the basics of cooking while helping his mother, Radha Khan prepare family meals.

"Mostly I just help around in the kitchen but when my mother saw I had an interest in cooking too, she taught me how to make various Indian dishes," he said. "I can also cook Chinese dishes including chicken chow-mein, fried rice and deep fried chicken.

"My favourite dish is chicken curry with dhal, rice and potato salad. "The recipe I cooked today is a dish I picked up from my brother when I was living with him in Suva. It is fairly easy to cook and does not take up a lot of preparation time.

"The good thing is the recipe is modifiable and other ingredients including vegetables like carrots can be added to give it a more nutritious taste." Mohammed said the lamb in special sauce goes well with rice, dalo or cassava.

The middle child in a family of three, Mohammed said the secret to making a tasty dish is in having confidence in trying out new ideas and recipes. "The best thing about cooking is coming up with anything you want and not being afraid to try out something new."

The 24-year old is originally from Delailabasa in Labasa and wanted to become a pilot when he was younger.

Lamb in special sauce

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Serves: Four people
Ingredients:
1kg boneless lamb
Soya bean oil
One clove garlic crushed
Crushed ginger
1.5 onions chopped
Salt
Soya sauce
5 tbsp tomato sauce
Lettuce
Cucumber
Carrot

Method:

* Marinate boneless lamb with some crushed garlic, a little ginger and soya sauce. Leave to marinate for 10 to 15 minutes;
* Heat a little oil in a pan and add chopped onions. Fry until golden brown and add leftover garlic and ginger;
* Fry until golden brown and add marinated lamb. Stir and leave until lamb is almost cooked;
* Add salt to taste and add tomato sauce. Leave to simmer until lamb is cooked; and
* Serve with rice or dalo and garnish with lettuce and cucumber.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ELIZABETH PETERS

2008-09-11T10:30:00.002+12:00

Her job is something right out of a CSI: Miami series but Elizabeth Peters (pictured) is more than just a forensics officer with the Fiji Police Force. Born and bred in Suva, Elizabeth never thought she would join the police force let alone the forensics science department.

The eldest of four, Elizabeth hails from Naisogovau in Tailevu. Her father John is a taxi proprietor while her mother Sera was a housewife. Thinking along the lines of being a doctor or lawyer, Elizabeth is a forensic biologist with a passion for the job.

"Like a normal Fiji kid, I was thinking of becoming a lawyer or a doctor. I had a normal upbringing in an average family," she said. "My dad used to work as a mechanic and both my parents worked hard to provide and put us through school.

"I attended primary and secondary school at Nabua before getting a scholarship to study at the University of Flinders in South Australia. "It was a whole new experience for me especially fresh out of high school into university."

She spent three years in Australia completing a bachelor in technology majoring in forensic and analytical chemistry.

Time away from home in another country meant a new life altogether. Sharing a house with four other scholarship recipients in the Land Down Under, Elizabeth learned to be independent. "It was a big difference and at first a bit difficult especially stepping out of Suva and being exposed to the bright lights in Australia.

"Being away from home was a major trial on independence and the four of us learned to cook, clean and shoulder responsibilities. "We had a lot of challenges but in the end we were just experiencing life.

"After I graduated, I came back to Fiji and joined the police force in 2001 as a special constable.
"Some of the things we learned at University were not required when I joined the force so it was more of a hands-on experience."

In 2004, Elizabeth went back to Australia to complete a post graduate diploma in DNA analysis at the same university. She returned to join the forensic science department assisting detectives and investigators with major crime scenes.

Apart from limited resources and finance, Elizabeth said one of the challenges of her profession is working on DNA legislations that set a platform and boundaries. "These are in terms of DNA analysis, uplifting of samples from suspects, accused, volunteers and maintaining a DNA database to name a few.

"The implementation has taken some time to complete owing to the lack of resources but validation should be accomplished in the very near future. "When this happens, it should be exciting as analysis along with a DNA legislation will assist in investigations allowing for prompt results as compared to when samples are sent overseas."

She said anyone could become a forensic biologist if they put their mind and heart to the task. Elizabeth enjoys the work she does and finds the profession very satisfying knowing she has helped detectives take a step further to finding the truth about a crime. Her advice for those thinking of joining the field is to work hard and be committed.

"Be sincere in all that you do and be inspired. Work on your aspirations and have a mentor. "Have some form of responsibility but know that not everybody's cut out for academic or school work.

"If you have a passion to do something then go for it. You can make a career out of anything.
"Regardless of your background, you can make a difference and contribute something positive back to society.

"Remember, anything is possible."

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET JOSUA REECE

2008-09-08T14:41:00.002+12:00

LOSING an arm in a tragic accident has not stopped Josua Reece from carrying on with his life.

The 37-year-old was selling pot plants and ferns at his stall outside the Suva Civic Centre hall when The Fiji Times caught up with him.

Born and bred in Naivimagimagi on Kadavu, Josua grew up in a farming community. His parents John and Senitiki Reece were farmers.
The youngest of three, Josua never thought about what he wanted to do in life. On Kadavu life centred around farming and during the school holidays, household chores.

"We leased in Naivimagimagi and even though my parents were farmers, the returns were not that good," Josua said. "I was the kind to go with the flow and I took life as it came. "Our income was not that much but my parents still managed to provide for us.

"All of us used to help out as much as we could with the farming at home." Josua attended primary and secondary school on Kadavu. As a student, he walked to school every day to save money. When he reached secondary school level, he stayed at a boarding school and after completing Form 6, he started looking for work to help support his family.

"I started looking for a job straight after high school. The first job I found was at a garment factory," he said. "I worked in the bulk section and at the time I was earning enough to get by.

"Like single youths at the time, I was into other distractions like drinking and smoking. "Shortly after, I applied for a job with Turtle Island Resort. "The pay was a bit better and I was a diver, mostly involved in water sports for tourists. "Diving is not easy but I learned when I was on Kadavu.

"For me, the challenging part of diving is during shark feeding time." Josua said he would take some of the tourist divers to underwater caves and near aircraft and ship crash sites. He was earning a good income and made a lot of friends. At the same time, he was honing his diving skills and learning new skills in the hospitality industry. However, it all came to a crashing end for Josua when he fell 150 feet while parasailing.

"I lost the nerves in my left arm," he said. "I took a tourist out for parasailing and as we went higher, the winds that day were very strong. "The rope from the boat snapped and luckily the tourist was still strapped onto the parachute so she was all right. "I had nothing tied to me.
"It was a free fall from 150 feet.

"I fell on my left arm. If I had fallen on my chest I would have died. "It was a very hard time in my life, especially when I was in hospital with no feeling in my left arm. "I thought that was the end of my life because I lost my left arm. "There was a point in my life when I felt there was no hope for the future." Josua said he coped with his mother by his side.

As time passed, he began to heal and his perspective on life changed when he married Alumeci Koroi and had two children. "I had a family and I wasn't going to let one arm hold me back from giving my children a good life," he said.

"So I moved on with life and decided to do something useful, "It was very hard to find a job but my in-laws pushed me to start selling flowers and plants. "At first I thought it was something for women and girls but then I realised as long as it brought home an income and put food on the table, this was something I wanted to do.

"I am grateful still that I am able to do something to keep my family going. I have been doing this for more than four years now and I learned a lot from this job.

"Sometimes, I would ask the other ladies for help about what sort of plants and flowers I had and they were very helpful." His advice to young people is to stop mucking around and find something useful and productive to do.

Josua said losing a limb is not the end of the world. His determination to live life for his family is enough to make anyone appreciate the passion this man has to make the most of life.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET LEO VUCU

2008-08-29T09:21:00.003+12:00

TWO YEARS ago Leo Vucu, 17, then a Form Four student of Tabia Sanatan College outside Labasa felt despair when he received his Fiji Junior Certificate Examination results.

He had barely passed, had failed most of his subjects with the exception of woodwork, his favourite. "I felt so sad because I had achieved a very low C grade and knew I would have difficulties getting enrolled in Form Five," Mr Vucu said.

"I had tried so hard, studied so hard but still when I saw my marks I was shocked and didn't know what else I could do to improve," he added. "I was particularly unhappy knowing I could be a high school dropout and that embarrassed me. Kids can be pretty cruel in school so all these thoughts went through my mind when I saw my results."

But Mr Vucu, who thought of re-sitting Form Four, had an even bigger problem to consider. "I no longer had the interest to study the same subjects. The only subject keeping me in school was woodwork," he said.

"I totally felt nothing for Maths, Accounting or Agriculture and struggled with English yet at the same time I did not want to turn out a failure in life. I wanted to succeed, earn an income and become something in life," Mr Vucu said. At his wits end, the realisation that his passion for woodwork could very well make his future dawned on Mr Vucu.

"I love using my hands in creating things, turning plain pieces of wood into something of value so I decided not to waste any more time in high school and start working using my talent," he said.
Two years after that day, the young Rotuman proudly marched up the school ground at the Montfort Technical Institute in Savusavu in front of a huge crowd of students and parents as his name was called out to receive the Baton of Honour at the school's pass out parade.

"I faced my fear and shame of being a high school dropout, enrolled at Montfort and I am now completing my second year in a three year Certificate in Cabinet Making and Upholstery course," he said. "I am studying what I love doing and later on I intend to start my own business once I find the right amount of capital," he added. But studying woodwork comes at a price.

"Being a boarder is no easy feat. We do a lot of hard work like weeding and planting root crops," he said. "I remember my very first day at school and we had to weed a big dalo and cassava plantation from about 8.30am to 1pm. By 10.30am I had basically given up because I was so tired and the sun was so hot," he said.

"I think I even cried and all I wanted to do was go back home and then one of the senior boys told me 'sa sega ga ni rawa lesu i vale."

"But strangely those words made me determined to succeed and here I am now doing just that. I have one year to go and even though I did drop out of school, it was only to do something that I believe will prepare me for an even better future."

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET AURELIA LEDUA RITOVA-HUFFER

2008-08-18T12:12:00.003+12:00

FINDING out about her Fijian heritage is one of the reasons Aurelia Ledua Ritova-Huffer is in Fiji. Aurelia, 23, was born and bred in Suva but has been living with her family in Germany.

She is of German and Fijian decent. Her mother Sulueti Ritova is from Lakeba in Lau while her father is German. Returning to her maternal roots after 14 years, Aurelia is in the country with her mother and younger sister.
Her father Dr Henning Huffer is a lawyer by profession and wrote a book in German about the mutiny on the Bounty.

He worked on producing a film about the mutiny and it was during his research and documentation of the event in Fiji that he met and married Sulueti. Her mother had a role in the film and is now sales manager at an oriental store in Stuttgart, Germany.

Commonly called by her second name in Fiji, Aurelia is second in a family of four girls. Although she wanted to be a lot of things when she was younger, Aurelia set her sights on being a journalist. "I grew up in Lami and since we went to Germany in 1990, I have been travelling back and forth.

"I am here on holiday with my mum and younger sister and I hope to find out more about my Fijian heritage, especially the language and culture," she said. "I can speak a little Fijian but I understand more than I speak. "I attended the Holy Trinity kindergarten and then went to International School in Suva.

"We moved to Germany where I attended an European school at Karlsruhe. "It is a school for children whose parents work for the European Union. "It is something similar to International except those from outside had to pay a little more than the locals."

Aurelia completed her secondary education in 2003 and worked as a trainee producer for German music television conducting interviews and learning to produce music programs. "In high school, I was the only one in my class with Fijian heritage. "My best friend happened to be half Samoan so we were the only Pacific Islanders.

"At university, I am the only part-Fijian and it is something I am proud of. "Suva has changed a lot from the last time I was here. "It is more advanced than before and there are shopping malls."

Aurelia said the challenges of working in the media industry taught her a lot in terms of being efficient, productive and most importantly a confident, independent individual. With determination tucked up her sleeves, Aurelia continued her tertiary education at the University of Heidelberg, one of Germany's prestigious and oldest universities.

"I am completing my degree in llanguage and linguistics, majoring in English. "Higher education in Germany is not expensive. "I also work for a professor in the linguistic department at school.
"I help her with research on different dialects and language. "So while I am here, I want to learn as much as I can about the way Fiji-English is spoken and taught.

"One thing I notice is the difference in cultures, German and Fijian. "Here, everything is more relaxed. "In Germany, the life is fast-paced and modern." She said families in Fiji were very close-knit with the inclusion of extended families.

Unlike Fiji, most families in Germany were nuclear families and only on certain occasions such as weddings or funerals did the family members get together and meet. Despite this, Aurelia believes she has the best of both cultures and is proud to be exposed to the different backgrounds.

Her desire to discover this side of her life is an inspiration for many part-Fijians. Aurelia might be 23 years old and still in school but she has this indescribable desire to bring out the best of her cultural heritage both German and Fijian.

"My advice for young people is to stay in school and if you have fun be sure to get your priorities right. "Balance fun and school, think of the future and work hard to achieve your aim in life."

Aurelia will leave the country at the end of the month but has her eyes set on returning to Fiji after she graduates from university next year.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET SAVIRIO TOLOI

2008-08-14T12:49:00.001+12:00

At his village, they affectionately call him the joka ni pulu. It could be translated as 'master of the bullocks'.

Savirio Toloi, 15, only smiles when he hears that name and coaxes his cows on, dragging a roughly hewn cart loaded with bags of copra. The dried copra bags were headed for the riverbanks, about two miles from the village where they would be loaded onto outboard powered boats headed for the market.

Savirio provides a crucial service for the copra farmers at Naduru Village and Valetokani settlement in the jungles of the Dogotuki District in Vanua Levu.

From morning till dusk, he carts cargo, to and from the riverbanks to the village and settlement, an important task in the absence of a proper road. He kept to himself, shyly avoiding our visiting party but when I did talk to him he relates a cruel twist of fate that changed his life.

Last year Savirio was in Class Eight, had passed his exams and looked forward to a new school year as a Form Three student with new friends to make and new things to learn. However, just a few weeks before school early this year, he woke up with an immense ear ache. Things seemed to go downhill from then on for this teenager.

A day later doctors discovered a boil in his ear, gave him an injection but the next day he was partially paralysed. "I couldn't walk or talk and I was just so scared I would die. I didn't know what was happening to me. The left side of my body was paralysed. All I did was cry," Savirio relates.

His mother, Ilisapeci Damiano sits close by listening to her son relate the frightful events that unfolded early this year. "He was in and out of hospital. He was even admitted at the Suva hospital. They all said he had been given the wrong medication. He couldn't go to school so we decided not to enroll him for the new school year. I think that disappointed him the most," Mrs Damiano said.

When Savirio finished his last day at the hospital, he came home shy and withdrawn. "Most times he didn't want people around him. He stayed indoors a lot because he was ashamed of the way the left side of his lip drooped from the paralysis. He couldn't speak properly," Mrs Damiano said.

"He didn't want to go to school after that because he feared the students would bully him, and tease him so he decided to spend this year at home." As the days grew into months, Savirio's health improved.

Over time, exercise and a healthy diet strengthened his limbs and the paralysis wore off. "Now my lips seem to pull to the left side but although I am sad and angry this happened to me, that I had to leave school, hope never left me. Deep within I wanted to get better and I did everything I could," he said.

While at home, the teenager helped out his parents who are copra and yaqona farmers. "Early in the morning I plant cassava, go out to fetch copra and help my parents with all household chores. But the best thing I like doing is carting cargo to the river bank. I enjoy walking the cows and bullocks," he said.

Although his life has been struck by tragedy, Savirio plans to resume school next year. "I'm just taking time off to recover. I want to go back to school next year because that is a way out of the hard life that we live out here in the village. Yes, you are right that my life has been struck by tragedy but I think that I have learnt a great lesson. Now that I have been at home, I now realise just how tough life can be for my parents as farmers so I want something different.

More than ever now I value education and how important it is. I even miss it. "That's why I am looking forward to next year."

Adpted fom Fijitimes Online

SUVA SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSIC FESTIVAL

2008-07-31T14:55:00.001+12:00

I had the opportunity last week to watch a moving and thought-provoking performance. No, not the "Sorry I confused you by switching cars on the way to the office;" or "Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not resigning," performance.

The performance I refer to had amateur performers. And they didn't change their tune even once until the song was over.

I am of course referring to the Suva Secondary Schools Music Festival, held at what I've always known to be the National Gymnasium (not that I've ever seen a gymnastic performance there) which is today almost the ignored older brother (or sister) of the larger Dome/Arena of Sports City in Suva.

As an International School student, I remember performing many a strange display of contemporary dance at this venue; or sitting high up in the back (in theatre-speak those seats are often referred to as the "God's") trying luck on whichever poor girl was the object of my obsession at the time.

More recently I remember being a ring-announcer to one of those boxing nights when "Joy-the-leaving-on-a-Jetplane" never showed up. "Let's get ready to rumble!" Or maybe not, as the case was.

I was fortunate to get tickets for the family to watch the Wednesday night performance of some 400 young people from schools of the greater-Suva area as well as the Pasifika Voices, wonderful Taiko drummers and of course the arrangement and conducting of among others, the very talented and humble (as only the son of a Samoan talatala can be) Iglese Ete.

For those who never got to watch Malaga: The Journey, or attend the USP's graduation day, it was wonderful to see an actual musical maestro (as opposed to the 7s rugby one we know and love) in action.

Choreographed movements and song seamlessly flowed to "inspire" at least one member of the audience, who emailed me later.

Some wanted more well most wanted more music but one or two wanted more out of the show; but my own experience was sublime, disrupted only by my dear children, who wanted first to go up to the stage and sing, then go up and dance, then go up and play the drums, then go up and conduct.

Their mother who is visiting George Bush's relatives (oh sorry ... it's only in the Pacific that everyone is related) in the United States (actually on a wonderful history workshop facilitated by the US Embassy here), missed out on the show and the joy of having two children wanting you to carry them and sit on your shoulders, or go to the toilet (not to be confused with the other BOG next door), when your favourite song is about to be sung. Ah the joys of parenthood!

The coming together of rival schools to sing duets of appropriately titled songs got me thinking that instead of all this money being spent on councils to weave better mats could be equally (or better your choice, this article is democratic) spent on putting together a Choir for Singing about a Better Fiji.

Of course those singing about a new day (no offence but I prefer the Stevie J. Heatley version) could be in the back up choir as could all the former, or in-limbo members of parliament and former or current members of the military-inspired Cabinet.

There'd even be enough room for the military council and the rest of the other councils.

However the stars of the night would be the duet singers. Here a couple of suggestions for songs:

- Let it Flow (originally sung by Toni Braxton) Mahendra Chaudhry and the Water Bottlers;

- Message in a Bottle (originally sung by The Police) Mahendra Chaudhry and the Cabinet;

- Get Back to Where You Don't Belong (originally sung by The Beatles) Evan Hannah, Russell Hunter and Viliame Naupoto (okay that's a trio)

- Ain't No Sunshine (when He's gone) (originally sung by Bill Withers/covered by Skee) "Frank Bainimarama and Parmesh Chand;

- What's Going On (originally sung by Marvin Gaye) Neumi Leweni and Daryl Tarte

- How Can We Be Lovers If We Can't Be Friends? (originally sung by Michael Bolton) Frank Bainimarama and Laisenia Qarase;

- Another Brick in the Wall (originally sung by Pink Floyd) John Samy and the TASS singers; and

- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (sung by UB40) Tukana Bovoro and Taito Waradi.

Next week: "Heroes and Villains."

Have a week blessed with Love, Light and Peace!l Reverend Bhagwan is a member of the Faculty of the Methodist Davuilevu Theological College. The opinions expressed in this article are personal and in no way represent the opinion of the College or the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma.

Adated from Fijitimes Online

MEET SHARON KHELAWAN

2008-07-29T11:49:00.003+12:00

Dancing is not just for the slim and the fit. It is something that can be done by anyone and Sharon Khelawan (pictured) is proving just that.

The 32-year-old research assistant for the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre is not only passionate about women's rights but the freedom for individuals to express themselves through dance. She is a dancer, choreographer and runs her own dance group named after her.

Born and bred in Suva, Sharon grew up in Namadi Heights.
Her parents were Jack and Shyam Khelawan, former principals of Dilkusha High and Dilkusha Girls respectively. The younger of two, Sharon was exposed to a lot of activities but dancing soon became a passion at the tender age of 10.

"I never thought I would also take up dancing professionally so I used to dance for fun. I wanted to become a lawyer when I was young. "A lot of people have said I am very talkative but I believe one day I will achieve that aim.

"The striking thing about being a lawyer is fighting for justice and helping people. Even though I am not a lawyer, I am still helping people in my profession whether at the centre or with dancing." Although a Methodist, Sharon attended primary school at Saint Annes before finishing her secondary education at Saint Josephs.

She then went on to complete a degree in Sociology at the University of the South Pacific. The interesting thing about Sharon is managing studies and dancing. She is the only local to specialise in kathak which is six dances of India consisting of fast spins, facial expressions and movements.

The difference between this dance and bharat natyam is it is done straight legged.
"I have been dancing since I was in Class Four. My sister had a big interest in this dance so we were taught the dance at the Indian Cultural Centre. "My first teacher was a male, Syed Asgar Trimizi.

"When I went to high school, I still practised the dance at the cultural centre. During the secondary schools music festival some time in 1992 or 1993, Saint Josephs was asked to perform during Indian night. "I performed with about 10 girls and I was so nervous but the support and the cheering from the other girls boosted my morale."

It was a memory she never forgot. At 19 years old, Sharon began to teach kathak professionally.
Although she was not taken seriously because of her age, Sharon made it a point to show that she had the knowledge and the passion to dance and choreograph.

In 2004, she was the lead dancer and choreographer for the Fiji contingent to the second Paravisi Bharitiya Divas in Delhi, India. It was a proud moment for her when her name was called out and like the other dancers who were nervous, Sharon danced her heart out.
"I have done solo dances in New Zealand and Canada but I have received lots of support from my family and people who have seen the dance.

"My mother is my biggest critic and I appreciate and love her for that. "My father was very supportive when he realised it not only gave me a whole lot of confidence but he knew it was something that really touched my heart.

"I lead a dual life. One is helping women through my work at FWCC and the other is helping dancers appreciate Indian culture." Her ideas come naturally and consist of a fusion of mixed cultures. She even choreographs moves for Fijian songs and is thinking of doing a drama along the same lines.

Proud of who she is and her cultural heritage, Sharon is living proof that size really does not matter when it comes to a matter close to the heart.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET AGNES PILLAY

2008-07-29T11:44:00.003+12:00

SHE could stop you dead in your tracks or make any passerby turn for a second glance as is she normally stared at.

Agnes Pillay, 32, can be found on weekdays with a group of Telecom technicians working in the Nasinu-Suva dressed in her blue and orange overall.

As if that's not enough Agnes stands almost six feet tall so if her height does not catch your attention, the overalls will. Agnes is one of fewer than five female technicians at the Telecom Walu Bay base.

She was born and bred in Labasa, attended Bethal Primary, Sangam and then All Saints Secondary School. Agnes comes from an average family.
Her dad works as a driver for the Public Works Department and her mother is a housewife.

"I come from a family of nine and I am the eldest in the family," she said. "I always wanted to do a man's job and that's what I'm doing but there are other female technicians," she says modestly.
"My family has always been supportive of my work." Agnes began working for Telecom Fiji eight years ago and even then she used to go out on the field with the guys. It was only until she married that she stayed at home for three years but her passion for the job could not keep her away.

Her husband, Parmod, has always been supportive of his wife's career. The couple have two daughters, Shonelle, 8, and Shalom, 5. Agnes is a senior designer with TFL. "I design cable network structures for telephone lines," she said

"I have been back as a technician for two years. "I spent some time in Lautoka then was transferred to Suva only three months ago." Agnes said sometimes the stares from people embarrassed her but the outgoing mother of two fits in very well with her workmates.

"My workmates are very supportive because I'm a female," she said. "Most of them are Fijian and I understand the language."
Throughout the interview, Agnes occasionally replies with "io", "I have lunch with them," she said.

"When we're out on the field sometimes we eat with dirty hands we have to eat," she laughs.
"I thought Suva was modern but the people in the West don't stare at me like the people in Suva do.

"I accept it as a compliment but it some times becomes embarrassing." Agnes reckons she's like any ordinary Fiji-Indian woman. "I'm normal," she said. "I cook and clean. "I love music and I like dancing too. "I love fashion and dressing up.

"You wouldn't recognise me if you saw me in town in casual clothes." When Agnes is at work, she does almost everything the men do including carrying heavy things like a manhole cover. "I can do most of things they do but I'm still learning," she said.

"My work is fun and I fit in very well." Agnes said Shonelle was very proud of her mother and wanted to be like her when she grows up.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET MILIKA GADE, KAILA STAR QUEST

2008-07-14T21:02:00.001+12:00

HUNDREDS of people flocked into the Suva Civic Auditorium as Heat 3 of the Vodafone Hibiscus 'Kaila' Star Quest continued over the weekend.
For three weeks now the 'Kaila' Star Quest featured talented and eager singers who poured out their hearts and hidden talents on stage.
Sixteen participants took part in the singing contest.
Jam-packed audience cheered as organisers Sereana Senidamanu introduced each participant.
The participants were vying for a place in the semifinals.
Losana Masitabua, 15, of Suva Sangam College with her Carry your Candle song took out last night's completion and was selected the seventh semifinalists.

ADAPTED FROM FIJITIMES ONLINE

MEET MISS AQUIFER FIJI, AMELE TUBUITAMANA

2008-07-12T12:16:00.001+12:00

Hibiscus queens are not only beautiful they are smart as well.
This is what 22-year-old Amele Tubuitamana aims to prove by taking part in this year's Vodafone Hibiscus Festival.
"People have the general assumption that Hibiscus queens just have a beautiful face and lack intellectual ability," she said.
"That is not true, most contestants are an educated group of people who are not in the contest for the fame but for a lot of other reasons," said Amele.
She is sponsored by Aquifer Fiji and a push from her family was how she got into the Hibiscus picture.
The ex-Jasper Williams High School student is confident of doing well.
"Thinking about contesting in the first place, gave me some nervous vibes but I know I should be able to pursue further confidently."
She is a go-getter type of person who believes in achieving everything she knows she can.
But one has to start from the small things before looking at the big picture, says the contestant.
"You cannot solve the hunger problem facing the world but you can feed a hungry person," is how she puts it.
"People always want to do big things but ignore the little facts around them."
She works as a youth volunteer at Ba Pilot Community Correction Centre.
Amele is a daddy's girl and hopes to follow her dad's footsteps.
Her father, Vilikesa Tubuitamana is an evangelism pastor. "I am very keen to grow spiritually and I will sing and preach the good gospel with my dad some day.
"That is my dream. It is only through the Almighty's strength I am able to face all hurdles of life," she said.
Amele, is a Western girl. She was born in Lautoka but brought up in Ba.
She lives with her family in Ba.
Amele loves singing, gardening and reading.
- Fiji Times Ltd is a sponsor of the festival

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MEET PETERO DOMINIKO OF ROTUMA, MR STAYING ALIVE CORPORATE PROMOTIONS

2008-07-02T18:42:00.002+12:00

THE face on the FMF 24/7 biscuit ad is one of the charming figures vying for the king's title at the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival next month.
Petero Dominiko, 27, hopes to make the national event more memorable, alive and exciting with his participation.
"I would like to make the kings participation more significant because it was just introduced last year. Hibiscus has become a tradition for Suva and something people look forward to every year so I really hope to make it more memorable and successful with my participation," said the determined contestant.
Dominiko is sponsored by Stayin' Alive Corporate Promotion Fiji an ad agency and handles sales and marketing for the company.
He is also a graduate teacher from Corpus Christi College an institution close to his heart.
He has a bold personality and is not afraid of trying something new.
"It's always challenging for me to do that and I would just like to say that if your heart is into something then just go for it.
"Don't wait and sit around, plan and spend too much time on it," he said.
Dominiko has a friendly and warm personality with an everlasting smile on his face.
He hails from Rotuma but was brought up in Suva.
He likes socialising and catching up with friends around the tanoa of grog.
His favourite hobby is reading and it is something he does nearly everyday.
The Hibiscus festival is from August 15-23.

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MEET TEVITA TONGA,MR SUPREME FUEL

2008-07-01T17:47:00.001+12:00

THE young and cultural figure of the University of the South Pacific is vying for the King's title at the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival next month.
But it is not all about winning for 24-year-old Tevita Tonga.
"I intend to promote the value and significance of the different and rich cultures that we have in the Pacific," said the Supreme Fuel-sponsored contestant.
"One's culture is significant because it gives you your identity and shows who you are," said Mr Tonga with pride.
To be the cultural chairman of the USP Students Association is a perfect match for him and something he organises and teaches with great interest.
Tonga is the key figure responsible for organising all cultural activities and dances at the USP's annual open day.
Taking part in the contest is an escape from his "small box" world.
"I grew up in a very small box and it was that way until this opportunity came by.
"I have always wanted to be part of something big and going for something this big is very exciting."
He is grateful to his sponsor for giving him the opportunity and he hopes to make them proud.
Tonga, always referred to as Dee by people who know him, is a final-year Accounting and Information System student at USP.
His best friend, Izzal Azid, describes him as sociable and funny.
"Tevita is friends with everyone and mixes around with everybody," said Azid.

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MEET CLARE DEACON, LEVUKA LIBRARIAN

2008-06-28T17:32:00.002+12:00

MILES from home can be difficult but for Clare Deacon, the challenge is an exciting one.
The 24-year-old is a volunteer worker from GAP Activity Project which arranges placements for volunteers from places such as the United Kingdom and Ireland to work in schools and institutions around the world.
Clare is a volunteer staff at the Levuka library and museum.
Originally from Orpington in England, she is the eldest of two children.
Her mother Elaine is a legal secretary while her father Terry works as an information technology consultant.
Growing up in the suburban town south of London, Clare and her brother had a happy and normal childhood.
She initially wanted to be a veterinarian because she was always around animals.
"I had a good upbringing," Ms Deacon said.
"I grew up around animals especially a lot of cats.
"Life was pretty normal for us.
"I attended primary school at Warren Road from Class One to Class Six and later at Priory Secondary.
"It was in a counsel estate which is something like Raiwaqa here.
"I had a good experience at school.
"My primary school was very middle class, very white but secondary was different. There were a lot of mixed races so it was an eye-opener for me."
When she was 18, she joined GAP where she spent four months as an English teacher in a small village in Peru.
Living overseas was a challenge for her especially when she had to adapt to the culture and lifestyle in Peru.
She said language was a barrier but with confidence she was able to learn.
"I lived with a local family in San Salvador. I was a volunteer for English, art and sports.
"However, in 2006 I completed my university degree in International development at Norwich.
"I then worked in London for a charitable organisation called Greater London Enterprises.
"At the same time I was looking for a job overseas.
"I found out about Fiji through the GAP Activity Projects and I applied and was posted to work with the National Trust of Fiji in Suva."
She arrived in the country in January this year.
She has been living with a local family and says she loves every minute of it, especially the new things she found out.
Before she moved to Levuka, Clare spent a few weeks at the Sigatoka sand dunes before she was transferred to the library on Ovalau.
"I really like Fiji.
"It is a good and beautiful place. and the people are so good.
"I will be in Fiji until September when I have to go back but I want to extend my stay.
"I will wait and see if there are other projects.
"At the moment, I love working here in the library and love helping people.
"Working for charity is something I like to do.
"I was fortunate to have a good upbringing.
"The library is a good way to help develop and broaden people's knowledge."
Adapting to the Fijian lifestyle was something she found challenging at first but Clare maintains that the experience has been worthwhile.
She has learned to be a more confident and independent person.
Her advice to people in general is to grab every opportunity that life presents.
"If you are shy, you will never know what you can achieve with every opportunity."
While she may not have turned out to be a vet as she wanted, Clare has been a vegetarian since university.
She said if she could not be a vet then being a vegetarian was the closest way to express her passion and care for animals.

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MEET SINA SULIANO OF ROTUMA, MISS SUVA CITY COUNCIL

2008-06-25T10:32:00.002+12:00

MISS Suva City Council, Sina Suliano is going to highlight youth and HIV issues at this year's Vodafone Hibiscus Festival.
Miss Suliano, 21, hails from Rotuma and works as a project assistant dealing with HIV issues at a non-governmental organisation, ADRA Youth Development Hub in Suva.
"I do a lot of HIV advocacy and it's very important for the young people to be aware that HIV is real," she said. "I joined this festival because I want to make a difference in young people's life.
"I want to emphasise to the young people that it is very important to have very high self- esteem.
"Once we have that, we can make the right decisions and the right choices in life."
Ms Suliano's hobbies are surfing the internet and photography.
She is looking forward to the challenge and meeting other contestants from August 15 to 23

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MEET CHRISTINE PRAKASH,MS WHEELS PACIFIC

2008-06-24T22:09:00.002+12:00

REACHING out to the grassroots people in the interior is the focus of 21-year-old Christine Prakash. The young contestant is grateful and excited that she will be given such a chance through her participation in the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival.
"I have always wanted to be part of something this big and to feel the rhythm of it. I really thought I would be working as a volunteer but I am thankful to Wheels Pacific for choosing me to represent them," said Ms Prakash.
"I am interested in helping people in the interior areas, outside Suva, especially those who don't even have a shelter and sleep on the roads. Through my participation in the Hibiscus Festival, I would like to reach out to the people in the community and be able to do something for them. I was born and brought up in Suva and it is time for me to do something for the people and be a good ambassador of my country is my goal."
The second-year real estate and management student at the University of the South Pacific said she would like to own and manage her own business in future. Be ambitious and having the will power to do something is her way of tackling life's obstacles.
She is the younger sister of last year's contestants, Ms MHCC Michelle Prakash and Ms Supreme Fuel Dipti Prakash.
Having her sisters' guidance and support, she is confident of doing her best for the people of Fiji.
The festival is from August 15-23.
The Fiji Times is a sponsor of the festival.

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MEET AUDREY KAMALI OF WALLIS AND FUTUNA/ROTUMA

2008-06-21T18:01:00.003+12:00

MISS Supreme Fuel Audrey Kamali will promote children's issues at the Vodafone Hibiscus Festival this year. Ms Kamali (left) hails from Wallis and Futuna, while her mother is from Rotuma.
The 20-year-old beauty is studying at the University of the South Pacific.
She lists her hobbies as spending quality time with friends and family, doing social work and sports. In leisure time, Ms Kamali helps children who are less fortunate by joining a social club under Save the Children Fund.
"Our club is called Kid's Link Fiji Alumni Club and we just came back from Vatukoula helping the kids there with finance to go to school," she said.
"My main aim in joining the Hibiscus is to help as many children have a better life and good education."
Ms Kamali attended St Annes Primary and St Joseph's Secondary School.
This year's festival, from August 15-23, will be the biggest in its 52-year history.
Secretary Aqela Cakobau said there was a lot to look forward to.
"This will be the 53rd year since the carnival started and it will be bigger and better in the sense that the ground set-up will be totally different," said Ms Cakobau.
"There will be no more scaffolding and instead, there will be marquees and the stalls will be bigger and an Australian circus will have two shows.
We are negotiating with the Chinese Embassy to bring an acrobatic team from China and there will be a section for an agriculture show.
"The day and evening programs will be exciting. Fiji TV will air live performances every day to the South Pacific. There will be contestants in various categories." Overseas trips have been lined up for the winners.
Miss Hibiscus will represent Fiji at the Miss South Pacific pageant in American Samoa in October.
As for the festival preparation, Ms Cakobau said: "It's been tough compared to last year but running smoothly, but achievable."
The theme for this year's festival is to create a festival that will promote Suva as a tourist destination, the hub of the South Pacific.
Associate sponsors are Air Pacific, Carpenters Motors, Coca-Cola, FBCL, Fijilive, The Fiji Times, Fiji TV, FMF, Go Advertising, Max Marketing, South Pacific Productions, TFL and TMS.

Adapted form Fijitimes Online

MEET MICHAEL JOSEPH DOMINIKO OF PEJPEI, ROTUMA

2008-06-07T19:26:00.004+12:00

Most people look forward to joining the British Army not only because of employment opportunities but the challenging aspect of military life. For 26 year-old Michael Joseph Dominiko (pictured), army life was far from his mind.
He is the only pay clerk from Fiji in his division and it is a fact he is proud of. The Lance Corporal was born and bred in Suva.
Michael grew up in Reba Circle, Nadera. His father Mua is from the district of Pepjei in Rotuma while his mother Asera is from Noatau. Life growing up was very hard especially in the barracks or low cost housing. His father did odd jobs while his mother worked as a waitress to help support their family.
Sixth in a family of seven children, Michael had an interest in accounting and economics. He wanted to further his education at the University of the South Pacific but due to financial constraints, he did not have the opportunity. Little did he know, fate had other plans for him.
"We grew up in the barracks and life there was hard especially financial constraints. I never thought of ever joining the army. I simply had no interest at all. We had a big family and even though we faced a lot of difficulties, my parents worked very hard to make sure we had a good upbringing.
"I had always wanted to do something in accounting and economics. I attended primary school at Saint John Bosco in Nepani from 1988 to 1995. I then moved on to complete my secondary education at Cathedral from 1996 to 1999. Fortunately, I was able to complete a Certificate in Basic Accounting. I did my attachment at the Ministry of Fijian Affairs as an accounts clerk."
For Michael, working as a clerical officer was an eye opener. It was through his work at the ministry that he met the deputy permanent secretary's sister doctor Korina Waibuta. He then worked for doctor Waibuta for two years as a medical receptionist. While working as a receptionist, Michael noticed a lot of people had come for a medical clearance for their application to join the British Army. He decided to apply for a place in the British Army. While waiting for word on his application, he completed a Certificate in Computing at NZPTC in 2001. The following year, he was assigned his first choice as a military clerk. He joined the army on June 2, 2002.
"It was my first time overseas but I was really excited. Even though this was something I had no interest in, I was happy doing something better with my life. Being overseas for the first time was a real culture shock for me. I stayed with my sponsors who were Dr Waibuta's family. I lived with them in Wembley London for six months. The training was difficult and life was very tough both physically and mentally. I have never been sworn at before and I got used to this kind of treatment there.
"We underwent a 12-weeks training program. We did all the training including swimming across rivers, hiking and camping out in the cold. The kind of training shown in the movies are the kinds we went through. Despite all the hardships I faced mentally and physically, I was determined to keep going. There were times when I wanted to give up but I kept telling myself I came this far so why quit now."
He said discipline was an important factor of life in the army. Michael said everything had to be neat and tidy including things in their lockers. The desire for a better life was a push factor for Michael especially during the early stages of army life. He said his faith in the Lord also helped him through the difficult times. After pass out, Michael went into trade training. "We had training instructors at Sir John Moore barracks in Winchester, London. We were taught our trade. I really enjoyed training to be a clerk because I wanted to do something in accounting and economics. I was then moved to Saint David's barracks in Bicester. There were 68 Fijians altogether and only one Fijian female. For two years, I was part of 3 Logistical Support Regiment at Delton Barracks in Abingdon.
"I am the only Fijian pay clerk there and I am very proud of that fact. All the Fijians there are close knit and we all try to help each other whenever we can. There are times when we get together to have a bowl of grog and reminisce about life back home. I have my own squadron with 58 people working under me. Even though its hard, I see it as a challenge. I like to help others especially meeting people and making new friends."
After being in the country for five years, Michael will finally get his citizenship next month. He said joining the military has given him a new lease of life.
He has been able to help his family back home as well as visit places he never thought he would visit. Some of these include France, Belgium, Germany, Kuwait and Qatar. He has been to Iraq three times for operations.
"Determination and passion for army life is what got me this far. If people want to join the army they have to be fit not just physically but mentally and spiritually as well. The army is about being disciplined and there is a high level of fitness. There are so many career paths and opportunities if one has the determination and passion to succeed. All the hardships have made me even more determined to live a better life and to provide a better life for my family," said Michael who will fly out of Fiji today.

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MEET SERAFINA WEDLOCK OF VATUWAQA,SUVA

2008-06-04T21:07:00.002+12:00

For music lovers in the West, Serafina Wedlock or 'Fina', as she prefers to be known, is the sassy weekend host of popular radio show 'Classics' on 88.6 Mix FM.
The week days find her serving up sandwiches, frothy cappuccinos and the odd latte at the Chilli Tree Caf on Tukani Street, just around the corner from the Lautoka Hotel.
The quaint little coffee shop is unique in that it is the only 'real' espresso bar in Lautoka City and boasts a regular clientele of coffee-loving locals and wandering off-shore drifters.
Originally from Vatuwaqa in Suva, Fina is a graduate from the School of Hotel and Catering and had the privilege of completing the practical aspects of the course at the Tokatoka Hotel in Nadi.
"I really missed Suva when I first moved here, the hustle and bustle, night-life, there was always something to do, places to go, people to see," she reminisced.
"But I have to admit Lautoka grows on you and before you know it, you, but slowly, surely become a west-side girl," she said in-between serving a mid morning surge of caffeine cravers.
"The climate here is better, the people are friendlier and the grog is out of this world," she proclaimed, much to the bemusement of customers.
"When I left school, I worked at numerous cafes and bars until I landed my dream job at Beachcomber Island Resort, it was so much fun!" However, her dream was short-lived.
While employed at Beachcomber Island, she became a victim of the 2006 military takeover, losing her job as the tourism industry nose-dived forcing the resort to reluctantly shed casual staff.
"It was really devastating," she said, "there I was newly trained, enthusiastic, eager to go and really enjoying working on the island when the rug was literally pulled out from under my feet."
Determined not to give up as hundreds of former hotel employees combed the country in search of employment, Fina answered an advertisement for a barista and landed the job at the Chilli Tree. She found the change from resort to coffee shop challenging and the skills she had acquired not being utilized as much in her new role.
"The menu is set in a caf," she said, "unlike resorts where chefs are given the opportunity to be creative."
She has, however, observed an interesting trend, "the coffee shop is the new bar. Where business deals were once made over a beer at a noisy bar, cafes and coffee have become the venue and drink of choice."
Fina puts it down to the soothing music, the refreshing aroma of fresh coffee and relaxing environment.
Asked about her dreams and aspirations, she replied, "Who knows? I wanted to be a nurse but this is me now, coffee and sandwiches" she said, "I hope one day to have my own caf called La Fina."

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MEET MELISSA RAIVOTU OF NADI

2008-06-03T22:31:00.004+12:00

YES, it's that time of the year again ... when the nation's greatest bathroom singers actually step out from under the shower and into the spotlight with microphone in hand to show they really can croon as well as whoever they idolise.
This is your chance to be Bob Marley, Beyonce or simply beyond belief.
Who knows, it could open a career path much in the way rugby has allowed Seru Rabeni, Akapusi Qera, Kele Leawere, Seremaia Bai, Vilimoni Delasau, Mosese Rauluni and all our other heroes to ply their trade on world stage.
The only difference is that right now it is not all or only about the money, although there is a some to be had, $500 actually.
This is all about simply showing you've got what it takes to cut it as a vocalist.
It is the third annual vocalist talent quest organised by the Alliance Franþaise de Suva as a build-up to the much looked forward to Fiji Music Festival.
Fiji's Mister Music, the right Reverend James Bhagwan, has voluntarily taken the competition by scruff of its neck to coordinate the quest being held in partnership with Dragon Music, and FM96, FM Legend and Viti FM.
The man of god simply wants us suitably warmed up as the season gets colder — a mid-winter warmth more people are now appreciating.
As Bhagwan says, "the objective is to give the opportunity to young people from 9-25 years to raise their voices and show their emerging talents".
Everyone has sang in the bathroom and some have gone even further.
Melissa Raivotu stole the show last year with her rendition of Beyonce's Listen, from the movie Dreamgirls.
Although now based in Nadi, Melissa confirmed she is definitely keen to be in. "I'll probably do something from Alicia Keys," she said.
But if you want to heat up the competition, you have to register by 4pm Tuesday, yes this Tuesday as auditions start on Saturday.
That will be held at the Alliance Franþaise, on MacGregor Road and at the Suva Civic Centre on Friday the 13th.
The grand final will be held at Sukuna Park on June 21 as part of the Fiji Music Festival.
In the audition, everyone sings a cappella before planning begins to get the proper soundtrack for the heats.
The final 20 will be backed by a live band. There is no entry fee and everyone will be allowed to sing in their vernacular.
"We've done that because in past years we said English and many people who wanted to sing in Fijian or Hindi missed out," Bhagwan said.
"By vernacular we mean people are welcome to sing in the language they are most comfortable in," he said.
"We're just opening the door to the untapped potential we have ... people can sing whatever they want," he stressed.
Bhagwan expects over 100 entries, most of them making their first outing on stage. And, that's the sweetest part about it all — one does not have to be a professional singer or have aspirations to rock the world.
It is simply about singing and having fun. Who knows the Vocalist Talent Quest may turn up a Leona Lewis and perhaps one day give us a truly global icon to adore and mimic.
The panel of judges includes award-winning composer Saimone Vuatalevu and broadcasters from FM96, FMLegend and Viti FM. Entry forms are available at the Alliance Francaise on MacGregor Road, The Boom Box, Dragon Music and FM96-Legend FM. See entry forms for details, or call the Alliance on 3313802. Remember, you have to be in to win so come we go chant down Babylon.

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MEET TARISI GANILAU OF NAITUTU, TAILEVU

2008-06-03T21:28:00.003+12:00

TARISI Daku Ganilau has all the makings of an average young woman. Shes young, full of life, shy, and smiles a lot. But beneath this exterior lurks a determined person.
Tarisi, 23, harbours a dream most young women her age probably never think of when they look at themselves in the mirror.
She wants to be a captain on a ship.
Theres no shade of pink in the job. But theres a lot of oil, dirty overalls and rocking and rolling at sea.
Its about being one of the crew on a vessel at sea.
Theres no glamour in what she does.
Tarisi reckons one of the good sides to it though is the travelling bit, meeting people and the opportunity to visit the many islands that surround Fiji.
Tarisi is a deck cadet on the government vessel the MV Iloilovatu.
Shes learning to become a captain.
The confined spaces onboard the Iloilovatu may be restrictive, but it does nothing to demoralise this young woman from Naitutu in Tailevu.
She has three sisters and four brothers who, with their mother, are very supportive of Tarisis decision to churn out a career at sea.
Shed opted for captains training with the Government Shipping Services straight out of Form 7 at Nasinu Secondary School and is now into her third year as a deck cadet.
She started on the Dausoko, doing repair work before been assigned to the Iloilovatu. She has two years left on her path towards becoming a captain.
It was instant attraction for her.
I love what I am doing, she says.
I love meeting people and being out at sea.
One of the downsides to working on a vessel is the rocking and rolling out at sea.
My first trip on the Iloilovatu was to Rotuma. I remember sleeping all the way to Rotuma because I was sea-sick. I was okay on the trip back to Fiji.
The Iloilovatu is built for long travels.
It was once a Japanese training ship that was out at sea for the better part of six months in a year, travelling all the way across the vast Pacific ocean from Japan to Hawaii.
A fuel system that could store enough fuel for journeys across the Pacific is now filled with water which improves stability at sea.
A lengthened draught (the vertical distance measured from the lowest point of a ship's hull to the waterline or the water surface) helps to cut out rolling in heavy seas.
Tarisi shrugs aside talk of being in a world dominated by men.
I did physics and technical drawing at high school and I was the only female student in my class. This is nothing new.
I suppose the only difference was when I started work. I found it unusual working with a lot of older men. Now we are all like brothers and sisters here.
Tarisis work choice inches out sad memories for her mother, but it also strengthens her resolve to make a career for herself at sea.
My mum prays for me every time I leave to go out to sea, she says.
Tarisi was barely seven-years-old when her father and a brother disappeared at sea. They had gone out fishing outside the Suva harbour. It was in 1994. The only thing I remember is that their fibre glass boat was found. Their bodies have never been found.
Shes tried to push the incident back into the inner most recesses of her memory bank.
But it does provide a challenge for me whenever it does pop up, she says.
Sometimes I wonder what happened to them, or how they disappeared.
My mums support lifts my spirits.
It reassures her.
To be captain, Tarisi believes young hopefuls need to be calm under pressure.
I think its about making right decisions at the right time.
Its also about being confident.

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MEET SULIANA MAKARITA SAVERIO OF ROTUMA

2008-05-24T14:37:00.002+12:00

SULIANA Makarita Saverio is a young woman with a great passion for music. She is a talented and professional violinist who is going places.
The first thing you notice about this 19-year-old is her beautiful smile and how strikingly graceful she is.
She is one of Fijis very own violinists, and a talented one at that. She is a member of the quartet, the Davui Ensemble.
Davui Ensemble is a small local musical group which plays the violin, viola and cello. The group aims to expose these instruments to people here in Fiji with the hope of getting interested locals to learn to play them and hopefully join the group.
Music is Sulianas escape from studies. The first year MBBS student at the Fiji School of Medicine is the daughter of Kaurasi and Akata Saverio. She is the eldest in a family of two. Her brother Oscar is 14. Suliana is shy but as the subject is music, she is eager to talk. She says music gives her a sense of identity.
Music is a part of me, it makes me who I am, she said matter-of-factly.
Its my language for expressing things I feel that I cant put into words. Music to me is a way of expressing myself. It helps me relax and relieves my stress from studies. Its my get-away from all the hustle and bustle life dishes out. To become a professional violinist was Sulianas childhood dream.
I would fantasise that I was a violinist with my ukulele and sasa-stick; trying to be like the professionals I saw on TV, she said.
The young teenager later discovered that playing a violin was not as simple as it was shown on TV. The violin was the only instrument she wanted to play ever since she was first introduced to musical instruments.
Its an instrument Ive always wanted to play because I love its sound and also because its not a commonly played instrument here.
Even when I began my music lessons on the piano at the age of seven, I always dreamt of learning to play the violin, she said.
She was 15 when she got her first chance.
I first learnt to play the violin in 2004. I started my violin lessons at USP with the former music lecturer (also the founder of our musical group, Davui Ensemble) Ueta Solomona. After he and his family returned to Samoa, I continued my lessons with Irene Cloin former Davui Ensemble leader who returned to the Netherlands with her family), she explained.
The first time she laid hands on the violin was an exciting and a memorable moment for Suliana. She couldnt wait to start the lessons.
Seeing a violin for the first time and getting the chance to learn to play it was a stepping stone for me in music, because it was an instrument I had always wanted to learn to play, she said. Learning how to play the violin was a challenge for her and she loved the challenge.
It wasnt easy and I found it difficult at first, but at the same time I enjoyed the challenge of learning something new, she said.
Unlike a guitar, there are no frets on the finger board, so to avoid hitting flat notes fingering must be precise. The other challenging thing is using a bow to play, because improper bowing gives a really screechy sound, she said. Suliana lists her faith, family and friends as the most important things in her life.
The young woman, who is originally from Juju district, is actively involved in the Rotuman Community church choir.
Apart from playing Violin, Suliana loves listening to music, playing volleyball, reading, watching movies and surfing the net.
Dont live for tomorrow what you can do today. For me, it not only applies to not leaving assignments or studies to the last minute but also not passing up any opportunity you get in life, she said.

Adapted from Fijtimes Online

MEET ANARE SIKOA OF CAKAUDROVE

2008-05-24T14:33:00.001+12:00

FARMING is the major project for the youth of Cakaudrove Province.
For the 14 districts in the province, each youth group has to have a farming project whether it be cultivating dalo or yaqona.
The project is compulsory.
Cakaudrove youth coordinator Anare Sikoa said for the past four years, the youths have made farming compulsory.
"Some youths drop out of school and stay in the village while others who stay in school sometimes don't get through to tertiary institutions. So we have made farming projects compulsory so that they can have something to fall back on," Mr Sikoa said.
"Employment opportunities in the rural areas are limited so farming yaqona and dalo is the best option because it earns more than white collar jobs."
Every month, district reps submit a report to Mr Sikoa and the committee on the progress of their farms. For the girls their preoccupation is mat weaving and handicraft work.
The money earned by the youth groups is given to the individual member who owns the farm.
"We just motivate them and push them through with their farming, and assist others start new farms. But the individual members who own the farm are responsible for the harvest," Mr Sikoa said.
"Whatever money they earn belongs to them. Most have rural bank accounts in which they deposit their earnings for their future plans."
Such plans include further studies, building their own homes in the village, expanding their farms or starting up businesses.
"This is another area we concentrate on and that is to encourage our youth groups to do further studies and educate themselves but to always keep their farms because it's financial support for their plan."
Mr Sikoa said they also help the youths market their produce.
"Fishing is another area we encourage because it also gives good returns.
"We are training them to be responsible - for themselves, their families and their future."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET JAMES TABULAWAKI OF NADROGA

2008-05-17T19:30:00.003+12:00

THERE is always something about an artwork or craftwork that depicts the world around us.
For an artist such as James Epi Satavu Tabulawaki, putting thoughts and creativity into carving wood sculptures is inspiring.
James returned to Fiji more that year ago after spending about 12 years in the Land of the Long White Cloud. While in Wellington, he mastered the art of wood carving after learning the skill from Maori friends.
Born and bred in Fiji, James is of Fijian and Samoan decent. His father Sairusi Tabulawaki is a policeman from Nadroga while his mother, Maria Maisema worked as a diplomat for the New Zealand embassy in Fiji.
Sixth in a family of seven children, James was brought up at Sigatoka Village. Like many young boys coming of age, James never thought about what he wanted to do in life.
"When I was young, I didn't think about what I would do. We had a simple upbringing. I attended primary school at Mount Saint Mary in Nadi. In 1994, we moved to New Zealand and lived in Wellington. I then attended Auckland Grammar. I was able to make a lot of friends and some of them were Maori. They taught me how to carve.
"At first I didn't like it but over time I learned how to appreciate the art. I became interested in wood carving. It made me want to get back to my culture and learn more about my heritage but this wasn't something I planned or ever dreamed of doing."
In 2002, he attended a Maori school to learn more about wood carving. He returned to Fiji at the end of 2006 and put his carving work on hold. He said he did not do much upon his return to Fiji because he did not have the time for it. Like most youths, James spent most of his time hanging with friends and partaking in the occasional grog sessions. However, a turning point in his life was meeting with renowned local artist Craig Marlow whose mother is Liebling Marlow, the first Miss Hibiscus in 1956.
"I met Craig and told him I did carvings back in New Zealand. He took me to join the National Trust of Fiji where I did voluntary work at the Sigatoka sand dunes carving driftwood for the park as well. I spent a couple of months there before coming to Suva to join Craig at the Pacific Arts Alliance.
"Wood carving has become very interesting for me. In fact, it has become my life. Every morning when I wake up, I start carving. It makes me happy and I like what I am doing. I am able to focus on creating different carvings and designs on wood. Believe it or not, when I carve, it is as if I am communicating with the wood."
He is also grateful to the alliance for providing carving tools for his work.
To define the character of an artist would be impossible and if there is one thing that makes them stand out from the rest it is their natural instinct and passion for creativity.
"This is still a learning experience for me but I am determined to make the most of my skill.
"I might stick around a bit longer but maybe one day I might consider starting my own business. I had some of my tools from New Zealand but the Pacific Arts Alliance also bought some tools for my work which I am grateful for," he said. There is an art exhibition coming in July sponsored by ANZ bank and that is where James will join other artists and display their carvings and sculptures. James is an example to other youths.
He has shown that through hard work anything is possible.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET JOE SUSUSEWA OF NAVOSA

2008-05-17T19:22:00.002+12:00

TO understand a painting, one must first understand the painter.
It is not easy to see through the eyes of a painter but Joe Taoi Sususewa looks at painting as another way to express his creativity and passion for beauty.
Joe is from Navosa, up the Sigatoka Valley.
He is the son of high school teacher Willie Sususewa and his mother Perina is the driving force at home.
The eldest of six children, Joe's passion for painting started when he was in Class Three.
Although he had a simple upbringing, Joe said drawing was something that always kept him busy in school.
It was the main reason he wanted to go to school and from that early age, Joe would be shaping things with his pencil on a piece of paper or on his exercise book when he was supposed to studying another subject.
"I was brought up in the interior and never really thought about what I wanted to do.
"In Class Three, instead of writing, I would be drawing.
"I attended primary school at Navesau then secondary school at Suva Adventist and then Navesau High School.
"After high school, I continued to pursue my interest in art at the Fiji Institute of Technology studying for a diploma in visual arts.
"It then that I started playing around with colours and started painting.
"I always try to develop something different from a picture I just painted.
"I do not find painting hard and I feel happy when I paint or draw.
"It has become something I love doing and enjoy."
It did not take long for Joe to discovering his talent for creating something beautiful from a simple paint brush and piece of paper or canvas.
His drawings and paintings of the environment is a pleasing sight.
Like most painters and artists, Joe's secret to creating a masterpiece is having a passion for the work.
No doubt, his passion for painting has inspired him to stand out and be different.
He has learnt to express his ideas and creativity through art.
"In 2004, I had the opportunity to work with a well known Korean artist named Young Soorhee.
"He helped me develop my talent in painting.
"I was not working and was facing financial difficulties at the time but was fortunate to cross paths with Sonny Misiolo, a Samoan artist.
"He was quite well-off and I was able to spend time learning about different kinds of artwork and paintings.
"I stayed with him for a year.
"Everyday after school, I would go to him to learn more about developing my talent.
"For me paintings and drawings contain stories and history.
"In 2005, my paintings and drawings were part of the national art exhibition.
"It was the first time for me to enter an art exhibition and I was very nervous but confident at the same time.
"I won two awards at that exhibition, one was for Emerging Artist and the other was for Indigenous Art.
"The paintings are part of the Fiji Arts Council's collection."
Apart from that Joe has done paintings for restaurants and nightclubs in Suva.
The award winning artist believes art has helped him become more confident of his skills and talent.
His dream is to follow in the footsteps of the one and only Vincent Van Gogh — famous for his paintings in the late 19th Century.
Like any other painter, their environment and culture influence their paintings.
Joe has an interest in indigenous and environmental art.
"We had a retreat on a mountain top and it was an eye opener for me.
"The natural beauty we take for granted becomes an inspiration.
In Fiji, paintings and drawings tell stories.
"Our environment tells a story and these stories are put into art, paintings and drawings for the next generation.
"We are preserving our culture and identity through our paintings.
"I believe everyone has a God-given talent.
"It is up to them to discover that talent and move on to do something better and more productive with their life."
For Joe, the sky is the limit and his example should be a lead for spiring painters and artists.
But as Joe said, if you do not have the passion for it, then you do not have it.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET SEINI BOLATAGICI FROM NACOBO

2008-05-06T22:30:00.003+12:00

WHEN health and welfare volunteers in Levuka visited four-year-old Seini Bolatagici at her home at Nacobo Village two years ago, she was shy and quiet, unlike other little girls her age.
Seini's shyness stemmed from her inability to make conversation because of a cleft palate from birth.
A cleft palate results when the plates of the skull that join to cover the roof of the mouth are not completely fused.
In such instances, the soft palate at the back of the mouth is often cleft as well. The opening creates problems not only for the formation of speech but also being able to eat food without having it flow into the nasal cavity.
"Seini's twin sister, Makelesi had a similar condition but she passed away a few months before we met Seini," says Patricia Wong, health volunteer in Levuka.
"Makelesi died after she burnt herself with hot tea as she tried to feed herself one morning."
Emele, Seini's mother did not know that Seini's situation could be remedied by surgery.
If Patricia had not visited Seini's village, Seini would have continued with her struggle and grown up without the gift of proper speech or ability to have a meal without having bits of food stray into her nasal cavity.
The ability to identify Seini's condition and others who have various disabilities is a credit to the training provided to volunteers of the Fiji Red Cross.
Training helps them to assess cases and train caregivers to look after children with special needs.
"After I explained to Emele, I contacted the doctor at Levuka Hospital to assess Seini and have her problem surgically corrected," Patricia said.
So Emele and Seini came to the capital on a journey that would change their lives. When they arrived at the CWM Hospital, a team of doctors and well-wishers were waiting for them.
The surgery was performed without incident and Seini's recovery has been smooth.
Seini and Emele's trip to Suva would not be possible without help from the International Women's Association which paid for their travel, accommodation and other expenses. After the surgery, the Red Cross arranged for sessions with a speech therapist.
"Emele tells me Seini is so talkative it is hard to get her to keep quiet," Patricia said with a laugh.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET METUISELA CINAVOU OF DALICONI, VANUBALAVU, LAU

2008-05-04T07:18:00.003+12:00

Life as a missionary is interesting and challenging but requires a lot of prayer and fasting, says Metuisela Cinavou who has been serving as a missionary for about 15 years.
He said following Jesus required a lot of sacrifices and commitment.
The 34-year-old man hails from Daliconi, Vanuabalavu in Lau.
In 1995 he attended the Christian Mission Fellowship Bible School, World Harvest Institute in Labasa.
Metui spent one year in Bible school and did field work from 1995 to 2000 when he was told to leave Fiji to serve in Melbourne, Australia.
Metui left in 2000 to serve as a missionary in Melbourne for five years before heading to Cambodia in 2005. He says life in Cambodia is different but he excepted the fact that he was sent on a mission.
He spent the first six months learning their language.
Metui said the only way he could share the word of God to the Cambodians was through learning to speak and understand the language. Metui was accompanied by Ben Ryland.
"When we first arrived in Cambodia, we could see that people living there did not understand English and it was very hard for us to share the word of God. In order for us to get to them we had to learn their language," he said.
"We therefore attended a language class for six months. Within the six months we were able to understand the language."
When they started their mission work, one thing they felt would help them in sharing the word was building relationships with the people within their area.
Metui and his mate made sure they were ready in spirit before they could go out and share the word of God in order for them to make an impact in the particular community.
He said it was very hard to preach the gospel since it was a Buddhist country.
But it was through the power of God and prayers that lives were changed and people converted to Christianity, he said.
"It was really a great challenge for us to share the gospel in a country where everyone was a Buddhist. We made sure we really prepared ourselves well before we went out and spread the gospel.
"For them being Buddhists was like their religion and tradition and for us to change them to become Christians was like taking them away from their tradition and religion as well as their culture," he said.
"We helped out in the community by meeting their needs and helping them in whatever situation they faced. We were able to help provide accomodation for those who were homeless, we gave food to the hungry, provided medical assistance and also assisted students with their educational needs."
"After we'd built a relationship and helped them with their needs, we saw that they really appreciated what were doing and when we shared the word of God with them it was easy because we had this relationship between us."
Metui said within the three years they'd served there, lives were changed and they believe that God had been working through the lives of young people of Cambodia.
He said more than 160 people received the gospel and believed in the Lord as their saviour.
Out of these Christians, the majority were youths and Metui believes these young people could be the main ambassadors of Christ in their country.
He said they'd been working very hard to reach out to those who were living in the interior of Cambodia.
Metui believes where there is a will, there is a way.
"If you have the heart to go forth and take the word of God, God will help you."
He said words and actions always went together.
He would like to encourage young people to take the privilege of what God has instilled in their individual lives and be proud of who they were.
"I am so proud to be a Fijian because we are uniquely designed in God's creative hands. While you have all the opportunity when you are still young, make use of it and try and win as much souls as you can for the kingdom of God."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ALIVERETI NASILA, OF NAITAUVOLI, WAINIMALA, NAITASIRI

2008-04-25T02:34:00.002+12:00

There are many unknown schools in Fiji especially those in the interior far away from urban centres. For Alifereti Nasila, teaching at the Nasikawa Vision College is a memorable experience.
Not only is he savouring the experience of his teaching transition from Ratu Sukuna Memorial School to the Korean-funded college in Sigatoka, but he is also helping the athletics squad improve at the Coke Light Games.
Born and bred in Naitauvoli Village, Wainimala in Naitasiri, Alifereti wanted to be a teacher from early childhood. The thought of being able to help in the development of children in rural areas grow academically is something that has kept his spirits high. While many from the village would describe life there as easy, Alifereti knows different.
Third in a family of six, Alifereti said life in the village is not always a bed of roses. He describes the physical hardships of life in the village as the strength that has enabled him to achieve his dream of being a teacher.
His parents were typical villagers and worked hard to provide all of them with a proper education, something Alifereti is always grateful for.
"I grew up in the village. I was a typical village boy living a typical village life. My parents were Taniela Gonetabu and Mereoni Cagonibua.
"They were also typical villagers and farmers. We lived in the interior and life there was difficult. We managed to survive though.
"I remember collecting firewood and working in the plantations with my father. It was something we had to do to survive in the village.
"Times were hard and we had to sell our produce to earn money. Back in the village, we used all sorts of things that cost money like sugar. So we had to work hard to earn money for this and other expenses like our education. Physically, life in the village was hard especially when there are a lot of things that need to be done in order to survive. This was a good experience for me growing up because it taught me a lot about responsibility and hard work."
He attended primary school at Naivucini District from Class One to Eight.
He then continued his secondary school at RSMS before going to the University of the South Pacific to complete his degree in education. He graduated with a Bachelor of Education. Alifereti was then given his first posting in 2002 to teach at his former secondary school RSMS before being transferred to Sigatoka early this year.
"When I was still in secondary school, I used to play sports and I also used to take part in athletics. In primary school, I was part of the rugby team even in secondary. I used to take part in the 3000 metres and 800 metres races. Unfortunately, I did not come any where but the fact that I tried my best was good enough for me. There is a lot of competition in Suva and even at the Coke Games.
"I have always been interested in the development of students whether academically or in sports. There are a lot of athletes here from Nasikawa Vision College who are very talented. These athletes were placed sixth in the Nadroga-Navosa schools meet.
"They won seven gold medals and that is something very motivating. Most of them do not excel academically but are very talented when it comes to sports. Some athletes might even consider taking up athletics professionally when they finish high school and this is something they can work hard for."
He said this year would be the first time for some athletes to participate in the Coke Light Games. Despite this, Alifereti believes there is more than meets the eye when it comes to these athletes from the 'Sand Dune city'.
He admitted competition at this year's meet would be tough. However, he is adamant there is still that beam of hope for athletes from the College.
"All the athletes are looking forward to the meet and preparations have been positive. Most of these athletes are used to training on grass and coming to the National Stadium before the games is good preparation for them. They will be able to feel what the tracks and grounds are like. It would be nice if the athletes are able to win at the games even if it is a single medal or a win, it would mean a lot for the athletes and the school.
"My advice for athletes participating at the games would be to work hard and strive to excel in every thing you do. I usually talk and encourage the athletes to do their best at the games. It is good also for the athletes to believe in themselves and to always have confidence that they can excel if they put their minds to it. We are all looking forward to the Coke Light Games meet this weekend," he said.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET PENASIO KUNABULI OF VOTUA, NADROGA

2008-04-23T07:07:00.003+12:00

LIKE many athletes gearing up for the Coca-Cola Light Games this weekend, Penasio Kunabuli has one aim and that is to win gold for Nasikawa Vision College.
Penasio is not a first-timer to the Games but this could be his last and he wants it to be a memorable one.
He said ever since he started coming to take part in the Games, he has been overshadowed by the other sprinters from the big schools but he wants to make a difference this weekend.
Brought up in the village of Votua in Nadroga, Penasio has been involved in athletics since primary school.
He is also a keen rugby player but this weekend is special for the 18-year-old.
He has been training tirelessly for the popular meet and believes he has the will and strength to come first in his events.
Penasio will be taking part in the 100m, 400m and the 4x400m relay.
If the past years have not been that hard for him to win a gold medal, this year will be the toughest, especially in the blue ribbon event.
As a senior athlete, Penasio will be running against three sprinters who are gunning for the gold medal in the blue ribbon event.
The athletes who will provide the hurdles for him are Alfred Smith of Natabua High School, Setareki Tikosaya of Queen Victoria School and Ioane Dovumatua of Marist Brothers High School.
The Form Six student has been taking part in the Coke Games since Form Three and is passionate and confident.
He is actively involved in village life to keep fit and healthy.
"I was born and bred in Votua and my parents are Misiwata and Maraia Lese.
"My father is a dive master and my mother works in the hotel.
"Growing up was easy especially in the village.
"We had everything we needed to survive and life in the village was not that difficult.
"When I was a small boy, I had always wanted to play rugby.
"When I am not busy with school and rugby, I often help out with chores around the house.
"I keep fit by training."
Penasio attended primary school at St Peter Chanel at Korolevu along the Coral Coast.
He runs on the beach as part of his training and exercise.
He said preparations for the Games was tough but a challenge he is willing to encounter.
The second eldest of six children, Penasio has been in tip-top shape and believes there is no greater strength than the one given by God.
He believes hard work, dedication and confidence hold the key to success.
"Ever since I have been participating in the Games, I was mostly placed fourth in my events but this year, I will do better and I believe I can win.
"For me, nothing is impossible. I know I can improve my performance at the Games this weekend and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"I play rugby for my province Nadroga in the Under-19.
"Rugby is something I want to take up when I am older.
"Whenever I participate in my events, I don't feel nervous.
"I always try my best and I always give it my best shot.
"At the moment, I am happy I will be taking part at the Coke Games this year.
"My advice to other athletes is that nothing is impossible.
"If you work hard and set your goals, everything should work out well.
"That's the only advice I have, nothing is impossible."
Penasio and his team mates were at the national stadium this week to check their times and distances and rehearse their baton change.
They will come in again tomorrow for their final preparations before the Games start on Friday.
Penasio says only time will tell who will win the 100m on Friday and the 400m and senior boys 4x400m relay on Saturday.
And when the curtain comes down at the National Stadium, he wants a gold medal hanging from his neck to take home.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET TIMOTHY FONG OF SUVA

2008-04-20T02:02:00.003+12:00

A PADDLER who went missing during the Waitui Outrigger International Championships at Suva Point on Thursday night said all he could think of while at sea was being eaten by sharks.
A first-timer to the sport, Timothy Fong, 21, was out at sea for more than four hours after part of his canoe broke.
"When I was out on the reef, halfway between the sandbank and the passage, I got caught in a huge wave and the back-arm of my canoe broke," said Fong.
"The only time I saw someone was when the wave took me high up, but when it came down I found myself in the water.
"All I was thinking about was the sharks and I wanted to get back on my canoe as fast as I could.
"I swam for about 20 minutes before I managed to hold it and swim to Makuluva."
Fong said the rubber of his canoe came off and he decided to fix it first.
"It was lucky I had a spare rubber with me," he said.
"After that, I paddled back but was confused where the starting point was because by then it was dark.
"The only thing I could see were the lights from the National Stadium that acted as my beacon."
Fong paddled toward the lights until he saw people waiting on the shorefront.
"When I reached the beach, everyone was shouting.
"I actually thought everybody had left," the relieved paddler said yesterday.
Fong said it was an experience he would never forget.
"This was my first time in this sport and it taught me a lot, especially to be more careful out at sea and never to panic."
Yesterday, the navy stepped up its patrol at the championship after Thursday's incident.
Nadi Bay Club secretary Collette Samson said while Fong was missing, everyone on the beach were concerned and discussing ways to help the navy and a search party that was put out to sea.
"Everybody was extremely worried about him we were just getting ready to go out and help the navy with the search when Fong paddled in," she said.
Fiji Outrigger Canoe Racing Association president Colin Philip the navy and officials at the tournament were on full alert following the incident. "We definitely learnt something on Thursday and we reorganised our rescue boats today (yesterday)."
Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET MAXINE INIA OF ITU'MUTA, ROTUMA

2008-04-16T23:56:00.003+12:00

PUBLIC speaking is something most people refrain from. Some prefer to develop the skill privately while others have taken the initiative to practise and improve on their communication and leadership skills in groups.
For 23-year-old Maxine Inia, joining the non-government organisation Toastmasters has helped her grow into a confident and mature individual.
Toastmasters is a group of individuals working to help each other be more confident and competent in front of an audience.
Born and bred in Suva, Maxine is from Itu'muta on the island of Rotuma and had always wanted to be an air hostess. She has a younger brother. Her parents Marika and Mareta Inia had always been supportive of what decisions she made in life.
She said life growing up was like in any other average family.
"There are two of us in the family and my brother is a year younger than me," she said.
"My father is a rugby referee and gets called in now and then to officiate at games. He is also a retired teacher. My mother used to work for the Ministry of Education but is now at home.
"I wanted to be an air hostess because an aunt of mine was in the industry. I kept that aim until I was in Form Six. I just went with the flow and my mind kept changing but I kept wanting to be an air hostess."
Maxine said her family faced difficulties like any other family.
It was not until she reached Form Six that she decided she wanted to work in an office.
"Like all families, times were hard but we managed. I went to Suva Methodist, spent the first term of Form One at Dudley before my father was transferred to Richmond High School on Kadavu.
"I didn't want to go. I was enjoying high school in Suva and didn't want to leave but my grandmother sat me down and told me to go with my family.
"She insisted it was best for me to go with my family."
Life in Kadavu was different from what she expected. Having her father teach at the same school they went to was hard.
Maxine said they were not given special treatment. Instead, they were given a hard time especially when they were expected to follow school rules and not get into trouble. She said even though they faced this at school, it became a disciplinary advantage for her and her brother. They stayed in Kadavu for two years before returning to Suva.
"Life was different then. We were like tourists but we were not given special treatment. Just because our father was a teacher did not mean we could do what we wanted or break the rule.
"They were strict on us and eventually it did us a lot of good. It taught us a lot about life's values, discipline and responsibility.
"After high school, I went to catering school in 2003. At the same time, I had a part-time job at the Enjoy Restaurant, now called Maya Daba.
"I couldn't cope with studies and the job so I let go the job. I then worked for a while at Daikoku restaurant and it was an educational experience. I learned a lot while I was there."
She joined Erasito Consultants as a receptionist in September 2004, a day after her birthday.
She said it was difficult at first to deal with clients over the phone and even her communication skills were a bit rusty.
However, she was determined to make the most of life. She was introduced to Toastmasters, an international NGO started in 1924 in the US.
"Toastmasters is compulsory at work. When I first heard about it, I was like hell no' because I saw the participants had to give impromptu speeches. So I sat, listened and observed what was going on and I thought it was really helpful.
"When I was young, I could socialise and communicate with other people but not formally.
"Before, when I used to communicate with clients, I used to eat my own words. I spoke so low that even the person next to me could not hear what I was saying.
"So the experience was an eye-opener for me and I've never regretted doing what I am doing now. I am more confident and can communicate more formally than before."
She said the organisation met every Tuesday and there has been a lot of interest from people as young as 14 years old.
With new-found confidence, Maxine has her sights on working for the United Nations in development or social work.
Like all kindhearted beings, Maxine strives to help those in need.
Her advice to young people is to enjoy life to the full and make the most of what you have.

VINAKA AND HANISIOF MAXINE!

ADAPTED FORM FIJTIMES ONLINE

MEET DAVID WHITESIDE, FIT GOLD MEDALIST

2008-04-14T18:48:00.001+12:00

DAVID Whiteside reaped the reward of hard work last week when he walked away with a gold medal at the Fiji Institute of Technology graduation.
For the 23-year-old, it was the end of many sleepless nights and anxiety.
He said he made it by being committed, passionate and trusting in the Lord.
David won a gold medal in Digital Animation Techniques.
He went to Holy Trinity Primary School in the capital before joining the Suva Christian Community High School.
He furthered his studies at the FIT for one and a half years before graduation.
David got married in 2006 to Litiana and they have a wonderful daughter named Bianca who is 14 months old.
In receiving the honour David said he was proud of his achievement.
"This really makes me proud. It's a great achievement for myself especially after the sleepless nights I had and time away from my wife and daughter.
"To me it was worth it."
He said without sacrifice and commitment, he would not have passed.
Sometimes, he had to go without food, no sleep while he studied and worked on his projects.
"To be successful in what we do, we have to make a lot of sacrifice." he said.
"You have to be committed and passionate because without passion you won't be committed."
David believes that putting his trust in the Lord is one of the key values to his achievement and success. "I thank the Lord for giving me the strength, wisdom and the knowledge which enabled me to do well in my studies."
As a young boy, David wanted to be an artist.
This was mainly through his uncle John Robinson who has been a great source of inspiration and a role model for him.
He said not only was he a great artist but a great father too.
This are the two things that drives him to being an artist and a family man."When growing up, I was very much into watching animated movies and cartoons and i used to wonder how they were done.
"That is how I was interested in studying it."He said he would apply to a couple of advertising companies for a jobs and then continue his studies in his field.
David said hard work and sacrifice would bring glory at the end of the day.
He said if people set their goals right and work hard toward them, they would definitely achieve it. "To young people, I would like to remind you of the Bible verse from the Book of Psalms 37:4 which says "delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart". "I would like to thank the Lord for being my source of strength, my relatives, my wife and my grandmother, not forgetting my daughter Bianca and uncle John for inspiring me."

CONGRATULATIONS DAVID AND FAMILY!

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ZUBER ALI OF SUVA

2008-04-09T21:15:00.001+12:00

Zuber Ali Azimullah (pictured) believes nothing is impossible if people obey their parents and believe in God.
Zuber, 21, who is the eldest in his family, has two sisters and one brother. He attended Suva Muslim Primary School before moving on to Suva Muslim College where he reached Form Three. He later spent one year doing vocational studies, before moving on to help his father in their family business.
Zuber said he left school because his father fell ill. He had to stay home and look after their cable business Maqs Cables.
"It was very hard for me to leave school at an early age especially when I saw my friends going to school but I had to do it for my dad and for the family," he said.
Zuber said his father didn't give him a choice to pursue another career because he wanted him to be part of the family business.
"When I was small, my dad used to tell me that I would have to work in our cable business which he started in 1991," he said.
He said even though he didn't like it at first, listening to his father's advice and respecting his instructions, he was able to see himself succeeding.
He never went through proper tertiary education but stayed home and learnt from his father and now he is running their family business, specialised in manufacturing, designing and repairing cables.
"I learnt from him. When I was in school, sometimes I couldn't do my homework. It was different in the workshop where I helped my father out. That's how I learnt this job."
He said the most important people in his business were his customers and he would try to meet their needs everyday.
"I make sure I provide them with what they want. I can do any kind of cable even if it's difficult, I would try and do it for my customers."
He believes God was always there for those who tried and would always be available for guidance and provision.
"All we have to do is to trust God and never give up hope," he said.
"As it happened to my dad and me, I'm sure good things can happen to anyone who believes in Him."
Zuber said he was able to overcome difficulties in life which allowed him to learn new things. He said he has never regretted following his father's advice and would continue to hold up the name of their family business.
Zuber advises young people to listen to their parents and serve God.
"There are only two things I would recommend for young people nowadays. Obey and listen to your parents and serve the Lord with a good heart. Without God we won't be successful and He is the only ally we can count on."

ADAPTED FROM FIJITIMES ONLINE

MEET AKAPUSI TUMATE OF YADRANA, LAKEBA, LAU

2008-03-24T07:55:00.003+13:00

Spending years in the city being a barrow boy is not easy but that's what Akapusi Tumate Junior, 18, does for a living.
Akapusi is originally from Yadrana, Lakeba, Lau.
"I attended Uluiqalau Primary School and spent my secondary school years attending Ratu Finau Secondary School," he said last week.
Akapusi dropped out of school when in Form Five and aged 16.
He said he found school boring compared to staying at home with friends.
"Life was good staying in the village, especially having friends of the same age," he said.
"I found that going to school was no use since it was more fun being with my friends and I didn't have to do homework."
He said while in school he wanted to become a primary school teacher to help his parents and his three younger brothers.
When he left school, he helped his father planting cassava, taro, yaqona and vegetables.
As the eldest child in the family, his parents had great plans for him.
"When I approached my parents, telling them I no longer wanted to be in school, they said no.
"They told me to continue going to school.
"But peer pressure was so strong that I continued to stay out of school and started livng away from home
"I came to Suva without letting my parents know about it.
"They somehow found out that I was staying in Suva with one of my father's brother."
Akapusi said the idea of being a barrow boy came from his uncle who encouraged him to do something useful during the day instead of staying at home.
He said if the job went well he got $60 a day.
The money he earns, helps him set food on the table to feed the 10 people he's staying with in Delainavesi.
But earning cent is a competition with other like-minded young people.
"There are times when I go through difficulties but they allow me to discover new things in life," he said.
"Without patience and perseverance nothing can be achieved.
"They are the two keys in life that keep me going. To my brothers and sisters out there, try and finish your school and achieve your goals in order to be successful in life.
"There is nothing easy in this world, it requires a lot of sacrifices to be able to sail in a calm sea.
"Listen to your parents for their instructions are the best teachings in the world today."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET JOELI LEWAICEI OF WAILEVU, TUNULOA, CAKAUDROVE

2008-03-19T16:34:00.002+13:00

AT the age of 23, Joeli Lewaicei is a big-time yaqona farmer and middleman in the province of Cakaudrove in Vanua Levu.
He sells on average, 200 to 300 kilograms of yaqona every week to markets in Viti Levu.
The lad of Wailevu Village by the Natewa Bay in the district of Tunuloa has a 20-acre farm where he plants yaqona and dalo.
"I have been a supplier for more than four years now.
"I buy yaqona from farmers in surrounding villages and sell it to markets in Viti Levu through my partner at Nadi market.
"Apart from buying yaqona from farmers, I also get my own supply from the farm and send across to my business partner in Nadi who is also from the village," Joeli said.
He said he could send one tonne of yaqona a month and earn very good money.
In a week, Joeli can earn about $6000 from selling 200kg to 300kg of yaqona at $28 to $30 a kilo of waka or lewena.
"It is good money and I have orders from clients in Savusavu and Labasa.
"I sell at a very cheap price so I think that contributes to the good earnings I receive in a week."
There are some buyers he calls "trusted clients" to whom he sends yaqona by courier and the clients deposit his money in his bank account.
"Most of my clients are in Labasa and Suva but most of my supply goes to my partner at Nadi market who we started the farm together in the village.
"We used to be unemployed but after we started our farm and decided that one of us go to Nadi to sell our yaqona to the markets in Viti Levu, we have seen our business grow each day."
After seeing their business thrive, Joeli believes there is no reason for youths in villages not to be without work and money.
"We have a lot of land in the village and if youths are going to the urban centres to look for a job, I believe they are being misled because the land offers more money then white collar jobs.
"Even people with white collar jobs come and ask for small loans from me.
"That speaks much of how rich the land is and even at this young age, I have started my savings.
"Once I have saved enough, I plan on returning to continue my studies at tertiary school."
Joeli said without the support and advice of the Ministry of Youth, his business would not be as successful as it is today.
"They encouraged me to start my own farm and make it bigger.
"They showed me how I could turn it into a successful business with my partner in Nadi and I owe the ministry a great deal for their help and advice."
For now, Joeli's yaqona farm and middleman business is earning him good money.
But as everyone else in the business know, it will require some hard work from the start before you can enjoy.
No doubt he has done the hard work and is now reaping the fruits of his labour.
Joeli is a good example to all young men in the village with land but nothing to do.
There is money in the land but first you have to work hard before you can get it.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET VULI KAU OF SALIA, NAYAU, LAU

2008-02-03T16:48:00.000+13:00

BEING strapped to his grandmother's back while she climbed for safety during Cyclone Meli in 1979 was some-what a miracle for 30-year old Aca Gauna Vuli Kau who administers the Disaster Management Programme for Fiji Red Cross Society.

Originally from Salia Village on the island of Nayau, Vuli Gauna as he is commonly known experienced first-hand the destruction and fury of Cyclone Meli when he was only two years old.

Even at that tender age, most people would not remember what happened to them.

For Vuli, he was fortunate to have his grandmother relate the events of the natural disaster that changed the life of people on Nayau. However, Vuli's interesting upbringing is another fascinating phase of his life and the foundation which shaped his values and principles.

Born on May 18, 1977 in Suva, Vuli is the second of six children and they lived a typical village life where nothing was ever easy.

His mother was a housewife and his father was an average villager who cut copra to put food on the table.

However, food for them was plain tavioka and tea without sugar most times.

At that time, sugar was hard to get because there was a shortage or it was too expensive. He said being the second eldest he was left with the responsibility of caring for his two young sisters when his father went to the plantation or when his mother went fishing.

"In most families, the eldest or youngest child is always considered the family favourite and being the second eldest meant shouldering the responsibilities of the eldest child," Vuli said.

"I was not strong physically or tall.

"By contrast, I was a slim, short and weak boy.

I was not athletic and did not go with my father to the plantation because I could not hold the knife with a steady hand.

"I was what they called malai or weak but I didn't mind. My older brother was strong and favoured and I was like a girl in the family.

"I had to shoulder the responsibility of looking after my two sisters when my parents were away.

"I had to wake up in the morning to wash the pots and dishes, a chore for girls and women but I was given the task of washing the pots in the morning.

"I guess at that stage of my life, I learnt life's values and responsibilities."

Vuli moved to Suva in 1990 to attend secondary school and the changing lifestyle was a big challenge for him.

The cultural shock was almost too much for him but he managed to complete Form Six.

Several factors contributed to Vuli not doing well in Form Six, including behavioural change but by chance, he signed up to work as a volunteer for the Fiji Red Cross Society.

He worked his way up the ladder to where he is today and now, well established in his line of work, Vuli said he could not have asked for a better calling in life. His past experience and the adversity of village life have made him realise how life can suddenly become meaningful and full of hope for a bright future.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET LEBA BALECA OF LOMAI, NAITASIRI

2008-01-25T23:03:00.000+13:00

The start of a new academic year is upon us as thousands of students eagerly return to school.
But while most children were enjoying what the holidays had to offer, one lass was hard at work in the capital city.
Right on the busy thoroughfare of Scott Street, in central Suva, sat a keen young girl,
Leba Kelera Lusia Baleca, 10, worked hard to earn enough money to enable her to buy her stationery before school started yesterday.
Leba, who hails from Lomai Village, in Naitasiri, was selling vutu (Barringtonia nuts) to earn money.
The smiling elfin said she was employed by another woman who paid her to sell the nuts at the market.
She makes $100 a day but is paid $8 a day for her efforts.
Her father was employed as a security guard but now stays home while her mother sells juice at the market to help support them.
The family used to rent a house in Nakasi for $60 a month but they faced financial problems and the landlord ordered them out.
They then moved from Nakasi to Delainavesi.
Leba, who was a Class Four student of St Joseph the Worker Primary School at Nine Miles, in Nasinu, did not complete Class Four because after moving to Delainavesi, her family simply could afford to pay her bus fares.
She recalls when she was at school how her friends tease her because she was the only one in the class who had not paid her fees.
"It was not easy being teased by my friends, at times I just wished they would understand my situation," she said.
Going to school every day was like a nightmare she had to tolerate.
She said at times she went to school without lunch and was always grateful when her class teacher bought food for her.
"For four years I have been going to school bare foot and it's really bad on rainy days for I get cold," she said.
When her family moved to Delainavesi, the water meter to the home they moved into had been disconnected because the previous tenant had not paid the bill.
"We used to borrow water from our neighbour before we could earn enough to pay the bill so we could get water connected again.
"My father plants root crops and vegetables around our home for us and for it be sold at the market," she said.
"Being the third child in a family of four, Leba thought she should do something to help her parents.
With the financial difficulties the family faced, Leba's two older siblings were forced to drop out of school and get married at a young age, but they always support the family.
"At times I would ask my mother if I could go back to school for I do not want to end up like my older siblings," she said.
The family hopes a relief agency gives them help so Leba can attend a school in her new neighbourhood. She admits her greatest mentor was her father.
She recalls how her dad would come home late at night and leave very early in the morning to go to work, trying to make sure that he earned enough to support his family.
Her ambition is to be a primary school teacher.
"The reason why I chose this career is because I will be able to help unfortunate children just like me," she said.
She said her parents worked hard to earn enough so they could buy a kerosene stove as they were still cooking on open fires.
"Life is not easy but I'm thankful that my parents are working extra hard to give me a better life.
"My mother sells juice in the market for 20cents a cup and earns $45 a day but since there are a lot of rainy days she's only earning $10 a day. I'm happy that even though I'm not earning much I'm doing something worthwhile." Leba advises teenagers facing a similar tough life to never lose hope and to always try not to depend too much on one's parents.
"Do something worthwhile during school holidays instead of wasting money," she says.
She said children should be thankful for whatever their parents can afford to give them and to never take parents for granted.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET EMIRITA KOROI OF WAILEVU, TAVUKI KADAVU

2008-01-05T15:35:00.000+13:00

When Emirita Koroi talks about crime, you can tell she feels strongly about it.
Her conviction is hardly surprising in view of the fact that her father, acting Assistant Superintendent of Police, Eparama Waqa, is a career police officer.
The Class Six student had no qualms admitting she is motivated by the work her father and his colleagues do every day in trying to keep society safe from criminals.
"I admire his (her father's) work in trying to prevent crime to make Fiji a better place to live in," Emirita said.
That was why, when asked to speak on crime at Crime Prevention Week in November, the Deenbandhoo Primary School student knew it would be from the heart.
In her talk, the 11-year-old defined crime as "something which is against the law and which people are punished for".
Said Emirita, whose father is originally from Wailevu Village in Kadavu: "Crime is a social problem and has been part of all societies. No society is crime free, as people commit all types of crime. Due to these social problems we are lucky we have the police to look after us and help the communities enjoy their lives without being targets of crime."
Fiji is one of the more developed of the Pacific economies but the increasing crime rate would not only affect society but the economy as a whole.
"Government can help reduce crime if it provides a lot of employment, which will also improve our standard of living," Emirita said.
She said we were fortunate the police, court and prison were functioning.
"They have a system which helps to take criminals to court or to prison."
She said it was also our civic duty as members of the public to help in providing information to the police, which would make Fiji a safer place to live in.
A good family unit also helped reduce crime, Emirita said.
The middle child in a family of three, she has an older brother Ulaiasi Koroi, who is a Form Three student of Indian College and a younger sister, Arieta Salacakau Koroi, who also attends Deenbandhoo.
Their mother, Penina Waqa, hails from Kilikoso, Macuata.
Born in Labasa and having lived there until last year, Emirita describes the town as a quiet neighbourhood.
She finds the high rate of crime in Suva quite a contrast.
The school she attends is proactive about the effect of crime on youngsters. Head teacher Kirath Singh said the school often invites speakers from the St Giles psychiatric hospital to educate students on the effects of marijuana.
The school has also formed an awareness program involving parents.
"This is to inform the parents on how to help prevent crime," Mr Singh said.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

NAMAU'S COCOA IS GOOD NEWS FOR YOUTHS BY REDUCING RURAL TO URBAN MIGRATION

2007-12-17T11:52:00.000+13:00

NAMAU's cocoa farmers say the market price of their cocoa beans are too low. One kilogram of cocoa beans costs $5.

This, said Tevita Niumou, is very cheap considering the process followed to extract cocoa beans, and the fact that it is pure cocoa. "The market price before was 70 cents a kg and farmers had to transport cocoa beans all the way to Suva to sell the cocoa beans," he said.

He said even though there were thousands of cocoa trees growing in the village, farmers were not getting the proper revenue they needed. "Each tree produces enough cocoa to fill a one kg bag," he said.

"We need to up our sale price to a satisfactory level," he said. He said plans to construct the first chocolate factory in Korovou and in Fiji was their biggest hope for the village in terms of cash revenue. "Once the factory is established we would be able to control our selling price at $25 a kg," he said.

He said the village needed a lot of change and farmers needed the extra cash for their families and the village. "All we can do now is continue with what we're doing and pray for assistance to quicken the plans to construct the factory," he said.

Tevita said the village did not want their produce to be passed through a middle-man and preferred to do everything on their own.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com

COCOA PRODUCTION SHOULD INSPIRE OUR FIJIAN YOUTH

2007-12-17T11:45:00.000+13:00

THE cocoa plant has inspired women to experiment in the kitchen. So much so that adding cocoa to their dishes and drinks for that unique flavour has almost become habit, a temptation hard to resist.

For instance, the chances of one receiving a chilled chocolate shake are far greater. Women and young girls of Namau in Tailevu are adding the cocoa ingredient to the local Fijian food like tavioka yaca (Fijian bread cooked with cassava) as well as cakes and soft drinks.

The new industry, having women are better utilising their skills in the kitchen. But this time they are adding a bit of cocoa to the recipe. Cocoa farming is the big talk in Tailevu now and at a recent Tailevu Provincial meeting a variety of cakes were served at tea time, all of which were blended with varying quantities of cocoa. These cakes were baked by women of Namau.

Namau villager Nanise Niuvou is one of the women who occasionally adds cocoa to her baking. The mother of four is 42 years old and the wife of cocoa farm manager Tevita Niuvou. She said she was also selling cocoa chocolate lollies, which sold like hot cakes at the village.

"Children love it and adults are buying them in the numbers for chaser during grog (kava) sessions," she said, smiling. Nanise's family said finding the perfect food source to blend with cocoa was challenging. In baking though, steady progress was being made.

At Namau village, fermenting cocoa beans is normally the job for the men and women would then afterwards taste and determine the quality of the cocoa produce. Men, they say, did not have very good taste buds and agreed to anything regarding the quality of the cocoa. So the task of tasting the cocoa after fermentation was left to the women. They had the honour of rating the quality of cocoa.

Nanise and her family say maintaining and producing cocoa on the farm was challenging and sometimes women would go out with the men to harvest cocoa pods from the trees. However, Nanise, like her husband, believes that producing cocoa will one day benefit their village in the near future.

And this, she says, keeps her going despite the hard work involved.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com

MEET USAIA CIRIKIWAI

2007-12-13T13:25:00.000+13:00

YOUNG people need to get out of their comfort zone if they want to succeed in life, says Usaia Cirikiwai.

I was introduced to the 28-year-old man from Ovalau at the Youths at Risk Seminar two weeks ago in Lautoka. He did not hesitate to spare me the time to tell his story and the experiences he faced in life so far.
Usa came across as a person with a bubbly character willing to reach out and help anyone.

Usa as he is known to those close to him, is a Pacific Stars life skills trainer, an empowerment training program funded by United Nations International Children's Education Fund. The Pacific Life Skills program is an empowerment training program funded by UNICEF but facilitated by different youth-based organisations including the Youth and Sports Ministry.

Usa has had his fair share of problems and describes his life from an early childhood to a young adult as a roller-coaster ride. "Young people nowadays are always trying to be like somebody else other than themselves," he said. "What many young people fail to realise is that we are all born standout and are unique individuals."

Usa said his problems started when his parents were separated when he was five years old. He said he moved around staying with one relative to another and the same went with his school in Suva. He said by the time he reached Class Four he went to Levuka until he finished his primary education.
In 1993, Usa returned to Suva at the age of 13 to live with his father and be reunited with his young sister Vani Digogo. "When my parents separated I lived with my father and his family while my sister lived with my mother and her family," he said. "But when I came back from Levuka my sister and I had to live with my dad and our stepmother.

"It was good to be reunited with my sister but it was short-lived. "My sister and my step other had troubles between them. One day an argument broke out in the house where my sister received a beating but instead of rushing her to the hospital to tend to the swelling on her leg she was kept in the house. "Someone applied a warm cloth to the swelling as it got worse. By the time she was taken to the hospital it was too late. She died on Palm Sunday in 1993." Emotional speaking about his sister, Usa said after his sister passed away he lost interest in school work and started following his friends for about a year.

"I would get ready to go to school but end up following my friends to roam the streets. "This went on for about a year. Not long after that I met my mother. We had never met since the time my parents split. "I went to live with my mother and she made be go back to school and repeat Form Three."
Usa said in 1995 he was sent to school and repeated Form Four at Rishikul Sanatan College. By the time he was to have entered Form Five, he went to Koro where he stayed for a while. "When I went to the village for a break I liked it so much that I did not want to come back. "I spent two and half years in Koro where I practically did almost everything from copra to planting cassava and dalo.

"I had a stint in working in one of the hotels there but came back to the mainland to live with my mother and her family." Usa said he came back to Suva in 2001 and not long after that his mother moved to Vanua Levu, leaving him at home on his own. He said while his mother stayed in Vanua Levu she would pay the bills from there but things became difficult. "It got to a stage where the phone bill went right up to $300 and there was no one else in the house to pay the bill except me," he said.

"So it prompted me to go out and look for a job." Usa finally got a job as a security officer and was posted at the British High Commission in Suva. He said he spent two years at the British High Commission as a personal guard. He said in 2004, he attended the youth empowerment program and got introduced to Raleigh International, an organisation based in the United Kingdom.

"I went on the Raleigh International three-month program and it was the turning point in my life. "While undertaking that program I was required to do 50 hours of community work. "I did service at the St Christopher's Home and the Chevalier Boys hostel. "When I saw the joy on the children's faces from the little work I did to make their home a bit more comfortable, I knew that this was the career path I wanted to take up.

"We painted the walls of the home and helped out around the home in carrying out repair works and whatever had to be done." Usa said once he had completed his community service he was told about the life skills workshop which took place in the Pacific. "In 2004 to 2005 I attended a small workshop in the Pacific on life skills training of trainers.

"In May 2005 I was approached by the Chevalier Boys hostel to look after 28 boys which was a full-on thing. "But when the hostel closed last year from the 28 boys from I started with, we were left with 12 boys. "The rest of the boys had returned to their homes.

"So far my life has been like a roller-coaster. "Hopefully it gets better from here onward." Usa said when he was not involved in charity and volunteer work he spent his spare time coaching a sevens team from the Nanuku settlement.

He said as the festive season approached, he was working with the shoeshine and wheel barrow boys organise Christmas in the Park.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com

BERNARD MCGOON THE FIGHTER

2007-12-13T13:04:00.000+13:00

YESTERDAY a 10-year-old boy lost his battle to brain tumour.

Bernard McGoon was evacuated to the Mercy Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand last month after his family launched a public appeal to help pay for his medical operation. He died yesterday in Auckland after being discharged from hospital on Friday.

He had always been a lively boy so if there was one thing his parents Charlie and Melyn never dreamt of was the loss of their eldest child and the only boy at that.

Bernard was born in August of 1997 and just one month after his 10th birthday he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Melyn's younger sister Nancy King said the initial reaction to his condition was shock, considering that he was the oldest grandchild.

"There was hurt and a lot of pain when we first heard about Bernard," she said. "More shock as Bernard was healthy one minute and diagnosed with a tumour the next." Nancy said her nephew was a lively boy. "Bernard was brought up by his papa (Lui) and nanna (Maggie) at the FSC compound in Lautoka.

"His papa always planned great things for him. One of them was for Bernard to study hard so he could buy a home for his mum and Bernard agreed to it. "He was a very considerate big brother; he took the role seriously, always watching out for his sisters Tehana and Cornelia.

"I remember once he did not come home on time and when he reached home, he was asked why he was late seeing as school had finished at 3pm. "He quietly explained that he waited with his friend because his friend's granddad was late in picking him up from school. "That's how considerate he was even for his age.

"Before he left for New Zealand, I spoke with him and he said thankyou Aunty Nancy for everything you are doing for me. "I couldn't believe that even in all his pain, he was thinking of thanking me or anyone for that matter. "He even asked all the nurses at the Lautoka Hospital Children's Ward what they wanted because he and his nanna would go shopping in New Zealand after his operation.

"He remained in high spirits to the end." In October, the family launched a public appeal to raise $70,000 for his medical operation in New Zealand. "We did a lot of crying those first weeks, waiting for the funds to come into Bernard's appeal account so we could send him overseas," Nancy said.

After his family was told of his condition, Lui King said the family of Natabua, in Lautoka were relying on divine intervention and public help to send Bernard overseas. That was on October 20. He was admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. In October, Bernard suffered a seizure, on World Teachers Day to be precise.

"I noticed he did not look well," his grandpa said. "I told him if he was not feeling well, he must not go to school but stay home but my grandson insisted he go since they would have programs in school." It was to be Bernard's last day at school. "When he returned in the afternoon, he became really sick," Lui said.

"He was sick throughout the weekend so we took him to Lautoka Hospital on Monday." Mr King said when Bernard had a seizure they were told he had to be transferred to the CWM Hospital in Suva for a scan.

Doctors at CWMH diagnosed him with a brain tumour. Bernard's condition had deteriorated further when he lost hand-eye co-ordination, experienced blurred double vision and was unable to open his eyes because of the pain. While doctors drained the liquid in Bernard's brain, Lui said a further operation to remove the tumour could only be done overseas.

He said a team of Australian surgeons in Fiji had been aware of his condition and advised his family that cranial surgery was impossible in Fiji. Nancy said Bernard and his granddad spent most of their spare time at Kulukulu, Sigatoka. "He was the first grandchild and baby in our home, we (aunties and uncles) used to dress him up funny and take pictures of him.

"He loved it because almost all the photos we have of him dressed up and with him smiling for the cameras. "He was also a clever boy, only dropped in exams when he was lazy to study but once he put his mind to it he could be very good at his school work. "He was part of his class quiz team, not accepting defeat when he was hospitalised, always telling his friends they should watch out when he came back to school because he would take his quiz team back to the top again."

The public appeal proved to be a great success. On October 30, his mum Melyn said Bernard was expected to be evacuated to New Zealand for treatment after more than half the $80,000 needed for surgery, travel and accommodation was raised in two weeks. She said she was deeply moved by how fast people responded to their appeal for help with about $40,000 collected.
Melyn said people she did not know from abroad had deposited money into the account they had opened specifically for her son's operation.

On November 2, the Ministry of Health advised that Bernard would fly out to New Zealand for surgery. He was accompanied by his grandmother and Dr Ben Reeves of the Fiji School of Medicine. Melyn said the visa application was approved immediately by the New Zealand High Commission.

"His chances are slim. Each day, he asks my mother Nanna, am I going to die?" Melyn said.
"He fell ill all too suddenly but this experience has been a real eye-opener and major challenge for us. "With him being the eldest grandchild and only grandson, you can imagine how it will affect my parents. This is a wake-up call. "He may not be the same after the surgery but it's a chance we're willing to take. If the New Zealand doctors find it is worse than what we have been told locally, then chemo has been suggested although it may drastically affect his IQ."

On November 24, realising that their son was just too far away from them, Melyn and Charlie flew to New Zealand. "They felt they needed to be with him and Ahura Resorts/Monarc, Melyn and Charlie's employers, were very supportive in giving them the necessary time to be with their son." By Monday, doctors had given Bernard three to five days to live.

His family was told there was nothing else doctors in New Zealand could do. Bernard could no longer communicate with his family. He was discharged from the Mercy Hospital in Auckland on Friday. Melyn said they were trying to come to terms with the fact that nothing else could be done to help Bernard. At 4.30am yesterday, Bernard passed on.

His father Charlie carried him and placed him in his mum's arms and there, he breathed his last breath. Melyn said her son was a fighter. "The doctors said he could lose his life after the blood clot was discovered in his brain but he came through it," she said. "They said Bernard may never open his eyes after the operation but he kept struggling to do so and he finally opened his eyes on December 3.

"He recognised family members around him in New Zealand. "He opened his eyes for two hours straight just to see all the visitors who came to visit. "The doctors gave him three to five days and last Friday they removed all the "drains" in order to let him go peacefully'. "When I spoke to my aunt, I asked that she tell him to hold on through the weekend in order for us to organise the necessary paperwork from this end.

"He did and I am thankful for that." Melyn said there has been so much pain since Bernard's diagnosis but her family learnt a lot. "Bernard's case touched so many people and brought out the best in humanity. "We raised a good amount of money in record time and we were amazed that some complete strangers in Fiji and abroad came forward to give toward Bernard's medical expenses.

"We learnt that God gives and God takes away and we remain thankful that Bernard was given to us for 10 years. "We know Bernard's illness has brought our families closer together." Melyn said families in the same situation should not lose hope and always try to do the best they can for the sick person.

"Even though they may lose their battle with the illness, you can find comfort in the fact that you did everything in your power to help that person," Melyn said.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com

MEET PETERO DULUKIBAU OF NAWAIDO, BUA

2007-12-07T08:34:00.000+13:00

A YOUNG man sat cross-legged, hunched over a pair of shoes that had obviously walked more than its fair share.

His posture never shifted as his fingers swiftly wove the needle through the leather. Only after his task was complete did he straighten up to stretch, the frown on his brow disappearing to give way to a smile.

It was a smile of satisfaction for Petero Dulukibau. The 19-year-old repairs shoes for a living. He has plied this trade from his home at Nawaido Village in Bua for the past three years. He says he is the only shoe repairer from his village up to Nabouwalu.

This, he said, was good for business but at times he was overwhelmed with work. "A lot of villagers come around with their broken shoes to get it fixed and no matter what the circumstance, I always make sure there is no credit," he said.

"Some of them, especially my relatives, ask for credit; for them to pick up the shoes first and pay later but I never allow this because it's a business that needs to survive."

He said business was so popular that at times his relatives and friends would drag him out of bed as early as 5am to fix their shoes before they leave for Labasa town. "That's the disadvantage of operating from home," he sighs, gesturing to the humble lean-to home he occupies with his cousins and two older brothers.

"Even at night at about 9pm or 10pm, my relatives and friends still come around home for me to fix their shoes. "Sometimes around the grog bowl, they will come and throw their shoes in and tell me to fix it so after hours, I always tell them, that charges will be higher and they still pay."
His favourite clients are the Roman Catholic nuns and priests from Solevu.

"I am always happy to see the nuns and priests come around and see me and ask about my business because that's when I share my experiences with them and it's just good to be encouraged by them," said Petero.

"At times, after a good conversation with them, I get shy again to ask for the payment so I just say bye and continue with my work but they never forget. "Instead they give me more than the normal charges of $1.50 and $2; I only thank God for bringing me such customers, he smiled.
His fondness for the nuns and priests could possibly run deeper than the interesting conversations they share.

This is because he largely attributes his success to a sermon a European priest delivered that inspired him never to give him. The priest, whose name he could not recall, had preached that dreams could come true if one had the will to do the long, hard slog.

He was a Class Three student of Solevu Primary School at the time he heard those words of encouragement. "The words continued to be in my mind and although I dropped out of school when I was nine, I always told myself that if I have the will to succeed in life, I will succeed," he said.

"Whether it be in farming or fishing, it will happen." Money woes meant he had to help his uncle, Viliame Raikivi, on the farm. Mr Raikivi, who is his mother's brother, practically raised him from birth. It was from him that he learnt his trade.

Mr Raikivi had repaired shoes before retiring to his farm. Today, Petero lives in a household of young bachelors. "We all have our share of buying food," he said. "While I buy from the shop, they provide root crops from the plantation and seafood for our meals."
He is happy with the lifestyle he has toiled to build. While it may be enough for some, it is not for Petero.

He is set on opening a little repair shop at Nabouwalu soon. He has already started saving towards this.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ELENOA VOSAYACO

2007-12-07T01:20:00.000+13:00

A MOTHER'S sacrifice bore fruit yesterday when her eldest daughter graduated with a diploma from the Fiji College of Agriculture.

Elenoa Vosayaco's diploma was special because it was the result of her mother's back-breaking sacrifice and six years of hard living after her father was jailed for his role in the mutiny at the Sukunaivalu Barracks in Labasa in 2000.

As the eldest of six children, Elenoa said she was determined to set a good example for her siblings and to repay her mother for her hard work. "They're all looking up to me, being the eldest, so I have to be a good role model for them,'' said the 21 year old.

Her mother, Ana Vosayaco, 45, said she struggled to make ends meet by selling rootcrops at the Savusavu market to pay for her children's education. "I thank the Lord for this. It has not been easy for me being a single mother for these six years," Mrs Vosayaco said after the graduation.

ALL THE BEST ELENOA FROM US HERE IN AUCKLAND, NZ!

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET AMALI SHAW OF MOKANI, BAU TAILEVU

2007-11-30T21:55:00.000+13:00

SETTING goals and maintaining the right attitude are important steps one needs to follow to succeed, says Amali Shaw.
The 18-year-old is the dux of Dudley High School in Suva.
Amali is proud of her achievement which she attributes to proper planning and discipline.
"There is no substitute for hard work," she said.
"I believe in setting goals and planning in life because it will lead us to success.
"I had set a goal to be crowned dux of the school a long time ago and I had been working hard from the start of the year to achieve it.
"Setting goals is not enough because if your attitude is not right after setting the goal, then what's the whole point of it?
"Every small thing you do counts in the end. Students need to keep their attitude right with studies in order to get fruitful results in the end.
"For instance, punctuality and time management are very important elements and you cannot afford to slip out in this area."
Amali was taking six subjects and scored the highest mark in all six.
She had 83 for English, Biology 85, Chemistry 85, Mathematics 89, Religious Education 90 and Food and Technology 92.
She was also named the best science student of the year.
Amali expected her win and in her heart she always knew she could do it.
"I have been in this school since Form Three and I have never seen a Fijian student taking the dux of the school award and as I went to higher forms, my determination to be dux of the school at my time became stronger."
The character of students, personality and how they do in their studies depend on the type of family they come from, says Amali.
"I think the type of family a student comes from has a lot of effect on who he is and how he performs in school.
"It also depends on the parents' attitude and their interest in what goes on in their child's school life."
Amali's mentors are her parents, teachers and God.
She is from Mokani Village in Tailevu and attended Lami Primary School.
"I am always backed and supported by my mentors and I never give up in life.
"Religion also plays a huge part in a person' life and how they view things. I would just like to mention a verse from the Bible which I stand by all the time Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness then everything else will be added on to you."
Amali was head girl this year but the responsibility, she said, was not an obstacle for her academic progress.
"My message to all the young scholars is to work hard from the start of the term.
"Don't think that you can relax when there is plenty of free time.
"Make use of it and it will count in the end, every bit of it."
Amali is looking forward to joining the Fiji School of Medicine and enroll in the MBBS course next year.
She wants to be called Doctor Shaw in life.

CONGRATULATIONS AMALI FROM THE FIJITUWAWA TEAM IN AUCKLAND, NZ!

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Former shoeshine boy became the DUX of the school

2007-11-28T09:46:00.000+13:00

A FORMER shoeshine boy who spent two and a half years roaming the streets of Sura was named Dux of the Year at Lami High School yesterday.

Maikeli Pio Bale, 19, topped the school in four subjects Agriculture, English, Chemistry and Biology. He said he was motivated by his street struggles and encouraged by his grand-uncle, who adopted him when he was a child after his parents split up.

"I just thought of all the struggles I had while I was in that situation and I thought to myself that I had the potential to go in the opposite direction and achieve whatever I want," he said.

Having come from a broken family, Maikeli was moved from school to school and spent time in his village of Tukavesi at Buca Bay in Vanua Levu about three years ago. In 2000, he was beaten up by soldiers for breaking a curfew.

Two years later, he was pulled off the streets by his granduncle and made to sit for his intermediate exam which he passed. But he returned to the streets and started shining shoes for a living and sleeping rough.

Eventually, Maikeli said he learnt the error of his ways and, like a prodigal son, returned home, went back to school and started going to church regularly. "I still meet my street-kid friends in town once in a while. They try to influence me back but I just tell them to go back to school," he said.

Maikeli has now set his sights on becoming a primary school teacher. His granduncle, Saimoni Naqete, a carpenter by trade, was a proud and a shocked man yesterday. He said Maikeli never told him how well he was doing in school.

He said he never gave up hope on his adopted child, despite his waywardness. "He was a street kid on and off for two and a half years but even while he was like that, I used to keep advising him that it was not the right way to go,'' said Mr Naqete.

"Just looking at what he has achieved today is amazing because he never even told me how he had been doing in school. I came to the prize-giving not expecting to see him collect so many prizes."

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 28th, 2007

MEET SOFIA TAGILALA

2007-11-20T12:18:00.000+13:00

RENOWNED Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti once said the object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity. And that is how Sofaia Tagilala views art.

Sofaia always had a liking for art. At primary school she would always try and make something out of the little coloured crayons she had. She would draw stick figures and flowers like other students.

Little did she realise that one day she would be among local artists showcasing their work to prominent people in society. Today, this budding artist who hails from Galoa Village in Kadavu is making a name for herself at the Ratu Iloilovatu Gallery at the Arts Culture and Design School at Raiwai.

She had always wanted to be in the teaching profession but since she enrolled at the school she has never regretted making a change. Now at the age of 20, Tagilalas works of art has marveled a lot of people especially locally renowned artists.

Sofa as her friends call her was in her art room at the school busy painting, completing an incredible piece she has managed to put together in less than a week. Now a third year student at the Art School, Sofa says furthering her interest in art was something that never occurred to her until she joined the school.

Although I love drawing and colouring, it never occurred to me that one day I would actually join a school that would be able to build up my confidence in painting, Sofa said. I was educated at Rampur Primary School in Navua and later joined Rampur College for my secondary education. Although we had art and craft classes in school it never used to be a subject that was seriously taken by the teachers and students, she said.

Since I enrolled at the School of Arts, Culture and Design in 2005, I have come to appreciate what art is all about, she said. Sofa said art is not just about putting colours together to make drawings look good, but it is a way of expressing feelings, moods and views on a particular subject.

Like many of her friends at the school, they each have subjects they love to use as models for painting. My favourite subject is to paint flowers, she said. She said flowers were always the main subject of her artwork because of its complexities in shape and colours.

Flowers are unique and it is the simplest description of the beauty of nature, she said. Flowers are more realistic when we paint them and of cause they are loved by all, she said. Sofa who collected the emerging artist award during last years National Art Exhibition Awards said painting any subject directly related to nature always had an impact on those who love and are conscious of their natural surroundings.

In this years display, Sofa is proudly showcasing a painting of a bird of paradise flower that has colours of orange, purple, yellow and red against a black backdrop. On her wall she has paintings of gladiolas, tulips, orchids and other local flowers.

Sofa loves using pastels in her paintings because she finds it easy to blend the colours. Im glad that at school Im able to develop the little art instinct that I had with me and now it has started to blossom, she said. Sofa said it was an honour to have her art work showcased among those of other students at the gallery.

Sofa said while art may be seen by some people as mere drawings, there are important messages and themes that are behind every art work. I would like to tell the general public to appreciate art as a way of artists expressing their thoughts and ideas about a particular issue or subject, she said. She said most young people prefer to put their thoughts in art forms rather than speaking out publicly.

Sofa hopes to become a teacher one day and spread the fun of having art as a lesson in schools. I believe there is a lot of artistic talent out there that just needs the right tapping, she said.

Sofa encourages young artists in the country to make the most of their talents as it is now becoming an income earning industry in the country.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com November 20th, 2007

MEET MARY DAYA OF LEVUKA

2007-11-17T13:25:00.000+13:00

MARY Daya is one of the young emerging writers of the Pacific Writing Forum.

The forum is the creative expression and publications arms of the School of Languages, Arts and Media at the University of the South Pacific.

In the past 10 years, the forum has published more than 250 work by Pacific writer in books, journals, occasional papers and anthologies.

What does it take to be a writer? This is what Mary has to say about what she does. "One has to have an open, creative and dedicated mind in order to be a good writer," she said. "You cannot just go in front of a computer, log on and start typing a story; you have to do a lot of preparation in advance.

"In order to be a good writer, you have to read a lot and read with interest.

"Writing is not easy. You have to work on it for a long period of time. "To be a successful writer, you have to be inspired everyday to be able to write and you have to take it seriously like a job.
"For me, you have to take writing seriously and be into it like you report to any other job in the morning.

"It is not a fairy tale thing that everything will come to your mind and you just start writing. You have to be sure of who you are because it helps you in your writing." Having the skill of writing is one thing but what is more challenging is getting the opportunity to prove your talent, says Mary.

"It is not easy to get recognition especially in the Pacific region. "If you want to be a good writer and be recognised then you have to seek out for opportunities and make your way through."

That is exactly what she did. She enrolled in creative writing course at the USP Literature and Language Department last year and her outstanding writing got her to be part of PWF. Before enrolling at USP, Mary used to write for online readers.

She developed her talent by writing short stories for Asia Pacific Writers and Fiji Speakers Corner. She has also written articles for the USP's Language and Literature Department's annual journal Saraga last year and has contributed articles for this year's journal Dreadlocks. She specialises in writing prose, fiction novels and short stories.

Mary is also supervising and acting as an adviser for a Harvard University student at USP. However her biggest challenge which she has just taken up this week is teaching creative writing to women in Suva Prison. Mary will continue with this for a year she said she was looking forward to be involved in such a project.

Joining the creative writing program at USP, she said, was the best thing that happened to her.
"The best thing to do is join the creative writing program at USP because that is the best thing that ever happened to me. Doing a course is important because it develops your writing."

Mary's source of inspiration for writing further is her lecturer in creative writing program, David Whish-Wilson. Mary loves digging into history, especially the history of the place she comes from. She comes from the old capital Levuka on Ovalau.

At the moment, she is working on a novel based on the history of Levuka and when she completes the book, it will be a big achievement for her. In fact, all her writing, she says were inspired by the place she comes from.

"It is my town and the people there inspire me in all my writings. I am proud of where I come from." With no doubt English was Mary's favourite subject at Levuka Public School.

"I loved English in high school and I would really like to thank my teachers who shaped my writing from the beginning including Suli Sandys, Sera Lockington, Swadesh Kumar and Frances Pene."

She has been writing for the past 15 years and writing is what she wants to do for the rest of her life. "I always wanted to be a writer. Writing is something I was doing as a sideline thing until I made up my mind that it was what I wanted to do in life.

"I would like to spend the rest of my life writing. It does not matter how I do it but I know I will do it somehow," she said.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 17/11/2007

MEET KAVAIA SACUQA

2007-11-15T07:43:00.001+13:00

KAVAIA Sacuqa's search for employment after completing Form Six two years ago was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But he never gave up. He looked this way and that way for an opening but there was none. Then he turned to farming and it was a decision that proved a winner for the 18-year-old of Navidamu Village in Macuata.

This week, he harvested the first lot of more than 1000 dalo plants he planted in April. He took 20 bundles of dalo to Labasa market and sold them for $12 each and collected $240.

The amount, he said, was impossible to gain in a week if he had found a casual job. "I am glad I decided to join the Macuata provincial youth group. "They helped me find this self-employed job which has a financial reward," Kavaia said.

"There are programs suitable for youths such as me and especially village youths because the land and sea is around us and we can make use of our resources and earn money from it. "All we have to do is know what to do and for that, we seek advice from the experts."

After joining the youth group last year, Kavaia was sent to the Naleba training centre in September where he took up agriculture courses for three months. While at the centre, Kavaia realised how fortunate indigenous youths are as they own the resources that could be used as a source of employment.

"The thought encouraged me to make use of the land, even the piece of land behind our backyard as it would at least provide money to support the family." The thought was also a turning point for the Navidamu lad who decided to start his own farm and plant dalo and yaqona.

When he graduated from the centre December, he got in touch with an uncle at Wainunu in Bua and asked for a piece of land to farm. "My uncle in Wainunu has huge farms of dalo and yaqona so I asked him if I could plant my dalo and yaqona near his farm on a piece of his land.

"He accepted me and here I am in the market selling my dalo," he smiled. "I have never seen such a rewarding job that can bring in a lot of money. Starting the farm was not an easy job," he said.

"First we had to clear the land, dig it up and divide it into plots. "It was the hardest bit but it all turned out successful and I am seeing the rewards for the first time."

When Kavaia arrived at the market, other market vendors and middlemen rushed to buy his bundles of dalo which had eight or nine big dalos for $12 a bundle. With the money earned from his first harvest, Kavaia plans to expand his farm.

"It is good money and while I have the blessings of my uncle to use his land, I might as well plant more and save for the future. "I am still young and I have a long way to go in life but if I work hard now, only I will reap the benefits later on.

"There is no substitute for hard work if you want to get what you are aiming for in life. "

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 15th, 2007

MEET - ELIKI NABUTO

2007-11-08T14:32:00.000+13:00

Eliki Nabuto started working as a wheelbarrow boy at the age of 14. He is 32-years-old now and still doing the same job, but in a unique way with a whole new start and mindset.

Mr Nabuto is determined and dedicated. He is one of the 20 wheelbarrow boys in the capital city who were assisted by the Ministry of Social Welfare to start up their own wheelbarrow business early this year. Mr Nabuto said the effort by the ministry has given him a new life.

The ministry had organised a five-day training camp in August at Nanukuloa Village in Ra to empower the boys to improve their lives. The workshop was the first of its kind aimed specifically for displaced people of Suva to improve their lives.

The objective of the training program was to develop necessary skills to start and maintain a small business and it also was aimed at achieving a mindset change and to inculcate skills which encouraged better life management. The boys were later awarded certificates, a savings bank account book, new wheelbarrows with their brand name-WEEBEEZ, uniforms and licence to conduct their normal business.

"I thank this interim Government for thinking about us and giving us a new life. Without their kind support we would not be able to be this stable in life. I liked the training they gave us and I was encouraged to do better in my life and get somewhere now. I have so far saved more than $300 in my bank and before I knew nothing about saving. I do feel secure for the future," said Mr Nabuto.

He was interested in continuing with his education but had to leave school while in Form 4 to support his family. He is the eldest in a family of four children and hails from Deuba Village in Serua.

"I have two brothers and one sister and I had to leave school because someone had to look after my family. I started with the wheelbarrow job but also did farming at home and sold cash crops," he said.

In between his teenage years Mr Nabuto also used to do farming at home to support his family. He later tried other jobs but handling a wheelbarrow was what he settled with in the end. "I had worked as a assistant store man for Lees Trading Company, as a security officer, a garment factory worker, a kitchen hand in hotels in the western side but ended up with this wheelbarrow job in the end. I earn more this way and I also enjoy doing this," he said. Mr Nabuto said he used to earn more than what he does today because there was less competition in the field.

"I was earning more before because there were fewer boys doing this job. I used to make $60-$70 per day before and it was even more during Friday and Saturday but now I make about $30-$40 per day and get $60-$70 per day on Saturdays mostly," he said. Before being part of the program, Mr Nabuto used to pay $5 per day to the owner of the wheelbarrow. He is glad that he is his own boss now and is able to save for a brighter future for him and his family.

Mr Nabuto has a four year old daughter named Losalini Tagiri and his wife is Onorina Rokowati. His dream in life is to be a good father and husband and to take good care of his family. He lives at Kalokolevu Village in Naboro.

"I am also looking forward to getting my licence and perhaps start a small canteen business in my village," he said. His only regret in life is that he was unable to complete his studies and he looks forward to studying in the future. Never allow others to let you down is what Mr Nabuto believes in.

"My message to the young people is to do any job that comes your way. Dont be ashamed to do it because you think about what others will think. Secondly believe in God, pray every day and leave the rest to him," he said.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com November 8th, 2007

MEET VERENIKI NAMOSIOTAVA

2007-11-05T16:05:00.000+13:00

Rural postings are always a challenge. This rings true for 40-year-old school teacher, Vereniki Namositava. And he says if you happen to be teaching in a boarding school, it is quite a task.

Mr Namositava is a school teacher at Vunisea Secondary School in Kadavu and is also the school's acting vice-principal.
Vunisea Secondary is the only government secondary school on the island and is the only one that most students on the island go to for secondary education.

Originally from Naivucini in Naitasiri, Mr Namositava has great memories of his 13 years teaching experience at the school. Growing up in the city most of his life, it was a big change for him when he had to travel to work in an island school.

"I worked in rural schools before coming to Vunisea," he said. But those schools were closer to towns and transportation was mostly by cars and trucks. And the environment was very different.

To Mr Namositava, being a Fijian and teaching in a Fijian-dominated school, has not made his work easy for him. In fact, it has opened his eyes to what island children and parents face to get children to school to have a proper education.

He has also learnt that in such settings, teaching children is more than just teaching them about books and what it says, because teachers have to concentrate on the children's upbringing as well.

"Vunisea Secondary School is a boarding school, so staff are tasked with a lot of work," he said. "Most students go back home only during school holidays. Most of their time is spent in school.
"So most of the time when we are teaching, we are just not teachers, but parents and guardians too. It is very challenging."

And having spent 13 years in the school, for Mr Namositava, every day is a learning curve. "When I first started, I felt like a student too entering a boarding school for the first time. I was amazed at most things I saw and heard," he said.

"And sometimes we have to teach students basic things that concern every day living. "I guess students face a culture shock when they come in to a big school, compared to their village schools and more so learning in a big environment that is preparing them for the big world out there."

Mr Namositava taught at Ratu Latianara Secondary School for three years from 1990 to 1993. He graduated in 1994 from the University of the South Pacific with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

He taught for a few months at Suva Grammar School before taking up the Vunisea posting.
Mr Namositava's wife also teaches at the school. They have no plans of leaving Vunisea soon because they are enjoying their stay. The school has a roll of 250 children from forms Three to Seven with 26 staff.

Mr Namositava's challenge to teachers out there is to take up teaching in rural schools, especially in boarding schools. "Most times we take things for granted while in the city and towns," he said.

"It's those small things that mean a lot to most people out there."

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com November 5th, 2007

MEET MISS GOLD, DORIS BALEIMAKOGAI

2007-10-29T09:35:00.000+13:00

TEENAGER Doris Baleimakogai dedicated her victory in the Vodafone Gold Town Carnival to her mother, Ema Lidya Kivi, who died two weeks ago.

The Class Eight student of Vatukoula Convent School vowed to work with the carnival committee in helping the needy, saying that was a passion held dear by her mother.

"I am very excited to be crowned Miss Gold Town and I will always work with the committee to help the needy," Dori, 13, said.

"I want to dedicate my victory to my mother who passed away two weeks ago because she was the one who encouraged me to take part in the event."

Mrs Kivi was buried in Vatukoula on Saturday, October 13, just four days before the carnival started

Doris' father, Romeo, said he believed his daughter's victory was reward for the hardwork and sacrifices Doris made looking after her mother.

"Our family has been really struggling because my elder son is in a coma at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva after a serious accident last month while my wife passed away two weeks ago," he said.

"After she was buried on Saturday, I told Doris she should continue participating in the carnival because it was something her mother worked very hard for even when she was bedridden," he said.

Mr Kivi said he only hoped his wife could have been present when Doris was crowned Miss Gold Town.

Carnival trustees committee chairman Chandra Singh said they raised $50,300, with over $4000 donated by Fijians in Australia.

CONGRATUALTIONS DORIS FROM THE FIJITUWAWA TEAM!

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET DORIS BALEIMAKOGAI OF VATUKOULA

2007-10-24T22:14:00.000+13:00

FOR 13-year-old student, Doris Catherine Baleimakogai participating in the Vodafone Gold Town Carnival that gets underway today is more than just helping the poor and disadvantaged.
The Class Eight student of Vatukoula Convent School is also taking part in the four-day event in memory of her mother, Ema Lidya Kivi who died last week.
Even though her family suffered a major tragedy, Doris said her father, Romeo Kivi remained adamant she participate because her mother wanted her to be part of the carnival.
Doris, who is Miss Civil Servants, said her parents were very passionate about helping the poor and disadvantaged communities in the area so it was the least she could do for her mother.
She said when her mother died, she was prepared to pull out of the competition but her father told her to continue for the sake of her mum. The youngest of seven siblings said even though she was the youngest contestant, she relied on the faith of others to get her through the event.
Doris said being able to help the poor was something she always wanted to do and this was the best opportunity to reach as many people as possible.
"I am a little worried about the public speeches but I know I will be able to manage because I have a lot of support," she said.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET JONA BUKASOQO

2007-10-24T08:19:00.000+13:00

Believing in oneself and moving positively in life despite difficulties is what Jona Moli Bukasoqo believes in. The 22-year-old who is now enrolled in a carpentry and joinery course at the National Youth Training Centre at Nasau in Sigatoka has struggled a lot in life before ending at the vocational school.

He joined the school in March this year for the one year course. Prior to this, he was making a living from farming and fishing in Levuka. He has learnt to live on his own and says he always has the 'can do' attitude.

"My mum is from Tailevu and my dad is from the Lomaiviti Group but I never really got to stay with them as a family. My parents always have been on their own and moved on with their lives and I have learnt to look after myself," said Jona. He is the second youngest in a family of five children and is a school dropout.

"I went to Uluibau Primary School in Moturiki in the Lomaiviti Group. I stayed with my dad's relatives when I was young and then I was sent to Levuka to stay with my mum's relatives. I attended Delana Methodist High School in Levuka but I went up to Form Five only. My mum was supporting and financing my school needs but things got hard when I was in Form Five so I stopped schooling," he said.

Since then Jona was expected to survive on his own and he turned towards farming and fishing to make a living for himself in Levuka. "I was planting yaqona and going out to fish to earn money and I survived on that. I did not want to be a burden on relatives I was staying with so I had to do something on my own," said Jona.

Before resorting to farming and fishing, Jona was working for a company in Walu Bay but he was unhappy with the pay and the working condition. "I was working for long hours six days a week and the pay was not good so I moved away from that job and went to Levuka. There I knew I could do things on my own and earn better too," he said.

"I don't want to rely on somebody or make a living from someone's support. I want to do something on my own and become someone on my own."

Even though Jona was making a living for himself from the resources he obtained from the land and sea, he had higher aims at the back of his head. "While I was farming in Levuka, at the back of my head I knew I didn't want to do this forever but study and become someone in life so I kept looking for opportunities. I applied here last year and started in March this year. We don't have to pay for anything here except an enrollment fee of $60," he said.

Jona had also applied to the Centre for Appropriate Technology and Development in Nadave in Nausori last year but missed out on the interview. "I had a boil on my leg when they called me for an interview so I could not go but doing engineering there is what I really want to do. After completing my course here, I will apply again. Doing engineering is my dream and I know I will be there one day," he said.

He has bigger dreams which he plans to achieve on his own.

"I don't even want to be attached to my parents but I want to struggle on my own and get somewhere in life on my own. I have never got the full support and attention I needed so that's why I prefer doing everything on my own. I would like to go and explore what's availabe overseas and perhaps settle there in future," said Jona.

"There are some people I would really like to thank the youth coordinator in Lomaitiviti, Master Saimoni Dobui who always encouraged me to strive higher in life and kept telling me that I can do it on my own. Secondly, I would like to thank Ms Manaini Rokovunisei from the Ministry of Youth and Master Joseph Fuata who looks after us here," he said.

Jona's motto in life is 'Never lose hope no matter what'.

"Hope of getting somewhere and for things to get better should always be there. This is what I would like to say to all the young people out there who are in the same boat as I was once. Struggling is a part of life and we should not give up," he said.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com October 24th, 2007

Litiana finds niche in ceramics

2007-10-23T10:30:00.000+13:00

FOR Litiana Vuniwaqa making things from ceramic is her first step to achieving her dream of being an artist and putting her work on display in an art gallery or sell online. She was recently part of the first-ever graduation for CreatiVITI Pottery Apprentices, held earlier this month in Mountain View, Nadi.

The CreatiVITI Pottery apprenticeship program was launched in December 2005. The design of this program reflects that ceramics involves an extensive range of knowledge and skills, some fairly complex.
Repeated practice over time is needed to master some of the techniques to a point where results are marketable.

A one-month probation period followed by a further five months of job experience and training is the standard structure of the program. The goals of the apprenticeship program may simply be exposure, work experience for school-leavers and others trying to move into the general job market.

Litiana was among six young people who completed this pioneer training program, gaining skills and knowledge needed as a foundation for building careers in contemporary ceramics. She has learned how to harvest clay from the field, test and process it.

Her training included theory and practical work in a range of pottery-forming processes, using modern tools and a special oven where clay pieces are heated to over 1000 degrees Celcius, making them strong, waterproof, and durable.

The shy lass from Dreketi, Qamea, said art in the form of drawings and sketches was something she had always been involved in. "This is something new for me but is very interesting because I play around with the designs and try new things out," she said. "It's no turning back because this is another avenue of earning a living for myself.

"I am still very young and my journey is just only beginning." Litiana, 21, was educated at Seaqaqa Indian Primary School before going to Seaqaqa Central, in Labasa, and completing seventh form at Penang Sangam, in Rakiraki.

She is the youngest among nine siblings of four brothers and four sisters. She said the hands-on community educational project was part of the work CreatiVITI did in developing and promoting art and craft in Fiji.

"One of my friends talked me into signing up for the program and that it would be worth giving a try," she said. "I have been doing clay pottery and ceramics for the last nine months, it's early days but it's something I am keen on getting this thing working.

"I found that it's one way of expressing myself in terms of the type of designs I come up with.
"I get my designs from my surroundings, nature and my imagination. "I have just completed one of my very first contracts with one of the hotels in the West.

"The design was my instructor Maria Rova's and it took me three months to put together.
"The time spent on each project differs as it depends on the design. "But the next big project I am working on right now is for the upcoming Christmas craft fair to be staged in Suva.

"I think young people should not shy away from this. "If they have the talent in producing extraordinary art work that makes people sit up and take notice, they should continue and not stop there," he said.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com - October 23rd, 2007

MEET BARBARA DOTON, MISS BA CARNIVAL

2007-10-22T14:47:00.001+13:00

Barbara Doton was surprised at being crowned the Vodafone Ba Carnival queen and Miss Charity on Saturday night.
Ms Doton, 20, a law student with the University of Huddersfield, in the United Kingdom, walked away a double winner, saying that she did not expect it at all.
"I live here in Ba and I am studying online," she said.
Ms Doton, a daughter of dentist, Dr Maria Doton, said she was the last contestant to enter the carnival.
Sponsored by 4R Electrical, Ms Doton said she entered the pageant a week before the carnival, hoping to have fun. "This was obvious during the carnival," she said.
She said being a bookworm, a weeklong carnival was a break from reading her law books.
Ms Doton has spent the past 16 years in Ba.
"I am originally from the Philippines, but I was born in Suva," she said. "We moved to Nadi and now live permanently in Ba."
She said although she had never taken part in such a contest, she believed her exposure to places like Suva and New Zealand had helped.
"I spent a year doing Foundation at the Central Queensland University in Suva before moving to New Zealand where I lived for a year."
Ms Doton said she was glad to take part and give something back to the community.
Organising committee chairman Rishi Kumar said the carnival to raise money for the Ba soccer team was a success but he could not reveal how much Ms Doton or the carnival had raised.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Naikatinis talents, skills raise eyebrows in New Zealand

2007-10-20T19:52:00.000+13:00

Watching Api Naikatini play rugby, it seems absurd that he has spent much of the past few years with his head crushed between front rowers thighs.

The 22-year-old has athleticism and skill most with a 1.95m frame can only dream of. His loping one-handed runs with the ball in hand, skilful lineout work and seemingly tireless work around the park have made Wellingtons blindside flanker one of the finds of the season.
But till this season, Naikatini has had to temper much of that natural ability to fulfill the less glamorous role of a lock.

"I actually played first-five till under-14s. I used to like to do a few dropped goals and the goal kicking, but the under-16s put me to lock because I was growing too big," he said laughing. "It is quite new to me playing at six. I have been a lock for so long, but its been quite easy to adjust once you get some advice from the experienced boys."

Naikatini has been a revelation in his first year of Air New Zealand Cup and not surprisingly has warmed to the freedom of the loose forwards. After starting the season on the reserves bench, Naikatini got a start against Counties-Manukau in round six and hasnt looked back. The same could be said for his fledgling rugby career since he arrived in New Zealand for his final year of school.

Born in Nadi, Naikatini attended Nasinu Secondary School and then Marist Brothers College, the school that produced current Fiji national coach Illi Tabua and former Crusader Marika Vunibaka. Selected in the Fijian Schools side to tour Australia and Tonga, he caught the eye of talent scouts from New Zealand and gained a rugby scholarship at Wanganui City College.

His brother Illiki, a member of the current Manawatu squad, had moved to Wellington to try his luck with Northern United in 2002 and Api followed in 2004. Then-Norths coach Eddie Ellison recalls a reluctant young lock who hadnt realised his potential.

"I called him up into the premier squad pretty early on, but then I would turn up at training and hed be missing. He kept going back to the colts and I kept dragging him back into the premier squad."

Ellison, now Wellington Development team coach, said Naikatinis height and jumping ability had limited his chances to play blindside flanker at club level. "We played him mainly at lock because we didnt really have anyone tall enough and we had a lot of good loose forwards. This year Norths had a couple of bean poles and he got a bit more of a run.

"Apis so quick on the jump - thats one of his real strengths as a lock - but the other parts of his game have really improved. "He used to sort of do those dancing runs with the ball a lot and turn it over with 50-50 passes, but hes really worked on that and (Lions forwards coach) Jamie Joseph has obviously done some good work there."

A New Zealand Colts trialist last year, Naikatini is picked by many to be a bolter in the Hurricanes Super 14 squad at the end of the month.

Adapted from Stuff.co.nz October 20, 2007

MEET MAYA SPEAKING NAVOSA DIALECT

2007-10-17T15:57:00.000+13:00

Maya Breitburg-Smith says the environment is an important thing because it is connected with our personal and economic growth. She said if the area outside your home is not taken care of you are not going to be healthy, and you will be spending a lot on health care.

A lot of time people dont realise that the environment plays a crucial part of our life, she said. Maya as everyone calls her has been in the country a little over a year but already she has been involved in environmental awareness in the Tikina of Komave on the Coral Coast.

I met Maya while out on an assignment and was interested to know how she had adapted so well in the Tikina of Komave thousands of miles away from her homeland. The shy soft-spoken lass was a bit hesitant to be interviewed until she was encouraged by a few villagers. What startled me was the way she freely conversed in the Navosa dialect with everyone in Korolevu. Maya is originally from Maryland just outside Washington DC in the United States.

The 24-year-old peace corps volunteer and a graduate in environmental science has been working with the vusu environment committee to help the community focus on preserving the environment and improving environmental practices. Maya arrived in Fiji on June 1 last year and completed her training in Lawaki Village just outside Lautoka.

I wasnt really sure what to do with my degree so I joined the peace corps where I get to travel to some place new for two years and try something new, she said. When I started as a peace corps volunteer in the villages we started building compost toilets and doing recycling projects. We also organised a Clean Compound competition to see how best villagers keep their surroundings clean.

This would allow villagers to separate their rubbish. They would also ensure standing water and drains were cleared at the villages. Maya said the one thing she enjoyed and made a point of learning was the local dialect. Picking up the dialect took a while although we had training at Lawaki Village. But I am learning every day, she said.

When I went to the village I tried not to speak in English although the people here speak it very well and it is one of my goals to speak the dialects. I went to the bose ni yasana in Nadroga and when everyone from my district being Navosa was speaking I was able to understand them but when people from Sigatoka started speaking I was lost.

It takes time to learn the dialects and is a good experience because you get to meet new people and eat new foods and we also laugh about our funny experiences. Everyone has been welcoming but of course you would miss home and your family. I get homesick but communication with those back home isnt really that hard. I have a mobile phone that I use and there are email shops in town and being able to reach out to my family helps a lot.

It helps a lot that I am always surrounded by people here at the villages and it helps shake off my homesick blues and they are very friendly and caring.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com 17 October 2007

MEET PAULINI KOROWAQA OF BALLANTINE MEMORIAL SCHOOL

2007-09-23T23:02:00.000+12:00

WINNING a medal irrespective if it is gold, silver or bronze for your country at such an event as the Pacific Games, or any games for that matter, is an achievement of a lifetime.
That is how Paulini Korowaqa felt when she stood on the victory dais in Apia, Samoa two weeks ago to receive the silver medal for the women's 4x400m relay.
Fiji slipped behind the Papua New Guinea team which took the gold but for the 16-year-old student of Ballantine Memorial School at Delainavesi, Lami, it was something to remember.
Paulini ran in the women's 4x400m relay with track queen Makelesi Bulikiobo and was third in the women's 400m for the bronze medal, where Makelesi won the gold.
Although she has not fully achieved her goal of winning a gold medal, Paulini is glad she came back with something.
It was her biggest achievement so far in such a big event that only comes once in four years for the best athletes and sportspeople in the Pacific region.
"I am happy that at least I got something back.
"I admit it was disappointing to lose the gold in the 4x400m which was won by the PNG girl but I told myself it is all right because I managed to end up in second place," she said.
"My friends and family were very happy with my performance and I am happy about it.
"The most important thing was that I was part of such a big event and this is my biggest achievement."
Achieving positive results on the track or any arena in any sports, she says, is not an easy thing to do.
"The training bit and preparing for the event is very tough," she said.
"I had to wake up at 4am every day for three weeks to go and train at the national stadium.
"I had to go through three weeks of intensive training and I am glad I had coaches of the calibre and experience of Albert Miller and Jone Delai to train me.
"The training was tough but I was told that I had to work hard if I wanted to get somewhere."
She is glad she did not have to sit for any external exam this year.
"I managed to cope with my school work and getting updated with my subjects," she said.
"The school was really supportive and gave me space." Paulini is a boarder at BMS and comes from Nairukuruku Village in Naitasiri.
She is the youngest and only sister of three brothers.
She was part of the 4x400m team which went to the Oceania Games in Australia last month to build up for the Pacific Games and won silver.
Paulini made her mark at the secondary schools Coca-Cola Games in Suva, winning gold for BMS in the girls 400m.
"This year I won gold in 400m and silver in the 800m," she said.
"Last year I won silver in the 400m and the other year I managed to win bronze, so the gold medal is my next target at the Pacific Games."
Her outstanding performance at the Coke Games won her a place in the Fiji women's track team to the SPG. She was one of the many students who were members of the Team Fiji contingent.
"What keeps me going is the support I receive from my family, my friends and teachers at school," she said.
"Without their support and encouragement I would not have come this far."
Paulini said the good thing about taking part in sports was the chance to travel and see places.
"I like having trips and I really enjoy it when I travel out of Fiji to participate in major events.
"That is the fun bit.
"I love this part of the sport."
Paulini said she would like to be a professional athlete in future and will never give up the sport just yet.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ARVIND MAHARAJ OF VUNIMONO

2007-09-19T22:12:00.000+12:00

PATIENT, humble and confident are three words that aptly describe Arvind Maharaj.
It was those qualities that enabled the Fiji-born man to win the Sydney Institute TAFE International student of the year award.
Arvind said it was the first time a Fiji student had won the award and he was proud of it.
Arvind is a cool and collected young man.
You can tell he is a man of his words and holds his principles in life close to him.
With a humble beginning at Vuci Methodist Primary School, Arvind said he had a dream to achieve a feat no one in his family had done.
"I wanted to be an electronics engineer and nothing was going to stop me," Arvind said.
"I did not only dream about it, I hard to work hard for it."
From Vuci Methodist, Arvind went to Vunimono High School in 1996 and spent four years there.
He said at Vunimono High he realised he was destined for greater things in electronics.
"I was so interested in the subject and my teachers were very supportive of my ambition," Arvind said.
"They inspired me to work hard to achieve what I wanted."
In 2000, Arvind started at the Fiji Institute of Technology.
"We had a lot of time to ourselves at FIT but most of this time I had to sacrifice and studied and explored the world of electronics.
"Like other students straight from high school, the transition took time and I had to adjust."
After three years at FIT, Arvind graduated with honours in Electronic Engineering.
"I was overwhelmed after graduating but I knew it was not the end of it because I was young and had all the time in the world to continue with my studies."
But because of unforeseen circumstances, Arvind found a job as an electrical engineer with Courts Homecentres.
Lucky for him, it was not job alone he was also trained as engineer for the brand name NEC Asia Pacific.
Arvind said the opportunity was one he was glad to take.
"I did not know that I was going to be trained in while working and I never regretted taking the employment opportunity."
In 2004 it was the grand opening for him to join South Western Sydney Institute where he furthered his studies in network engineering.
Arvind admitted it was the best thing to happen to his life.
"Being enrolled in an institution with such a reputation was awesome and I made sure I made the most of the opportunities they gave me."
Since he enrolled as a student Arvind has always been recognised for his hard work.
For three years he has been a finalist in the international student of the year award.
He finally won this year.
"This award means a lot to me personally, because it recognises my contribution, dedication to the work I was sent here to do and I'm proud of it."
Arvind said the award would not have been possible if it was not for the support he had received from his family.
"This award is especially dedicated to my aji and aja (grandparents), my parents, my sisters and brother and all those who have been helping me during my education years."
Arvind said he hope more students from Fiji would enroll in such a reputable institute and stamp their mark for themselves and for Fiji.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET ISIMELI VATUALIWALIWALI OF NAKOROTUBU, RA

2007-09-17T23:48:00.000+12:00

MOST countries in the world have their own music which is unique to the people and country.
Indonesia is known for its bamboo instruments or arumba.
Bamboo is in abundance there and it is not a surprise to find instruments made of the wood. Bamboo is like a sacred tree to them and is also used for kitchen utensils, floors, walls, etc.
Earlier this year, three young people from Fiji went to Indonesia on a cultural scholarship program. One of them was 24-year-old music teacher Isimeli Vatuwaliwali of Kavula from Nakorotubu in Ra.
He was offered the scholarship two years ago while a student at Fiji College of Advanced Education but went in May this year. His Fiji companions were Alena Vesikula and Akisi Bolabola. They met up with 47 other scholarship recipients in Jakarta and were divided in four groups and parted ways.
Alena and Akisi went to Solo and Bali while Isimeli went to Bandung the heart of bamboo music, where they teach it at the Saung Angklung Udjo.
The Saung Angklung Udjo is a centre established in 1967 by founders, Mang Udjo and his wife Uum Sumiati.
On his first night there, Isimeli said his friend from Kiribati, Bauta'aki Beia, came and sat with him in his room because he could not sleep from the loud prayers coming from the mosque next door.
As they stayed longer, they became used to the prayers and got to know the exact time of the prayers. Classes were from Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm (with breaks) where they were introduced to bamboo instruments.
"It's not hard to learn, it's just like playing the keyboard," Isimeli said.
Their teacher, Sam Udjo, was the son of the founder.
"Some of the old students were teaching as well. After two months of classes, we started performing at shows."
The shows are normally held from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and only by reservation.
Indonesian people, like most other Asians, are physically small and finding outfits to fit Isimeli and his Kiribati and New Zealand friend was a challenge. But there is a solution to every problem and this was solved without a hitch.
There were 13 scholarship recipients at Bandung and they were divided into groups of four and each group had a house.
Isimeli said it took him about three weeks to adjust to the food and it got to a point where he and members of his group asked if they could cook their own food.
"They have rice with everything, even with ice cream and we were shocked to find rice served at McDonald's and KFC restaurants as well."
But for a Fijian, three months of eating rice on a daily basis can take its toll and he could not wait to get home so he could sink his teeth into some dalo.
That basically had him texting home to tell his relatives to prepare a lovo for him. However, he said any signs of homesickness disappeared after the first few days as he found Indonesian people to be very much like Fijians.
"They are good-hearted people and have the same sort of respect we have at home. Before I came, I heard all the stories about terrorism and natural disasters, especially earthquakes but I found it was normal.
"This scholarship has not only allowed me to learn about Indonesian people but to know them by interacting with them on a daily basis.
"It has been a good opportunity not only to learn about the culture but to learn about the people as well."
One funny thing about the place where they stayed was that smoking was not allowed and even though there were mosquitoes, coils to repel them were not allowed. The reason the place is made of bamboo so all it needs is for a little flame and the whole place would be ablaze.
An interesting thing Isimeli found about the place was that there were festivals for food like picking strawberries, for example.
But he says he will never forget the place because of the people who were always willing to help even though most did not speak English.
Isimeli added that in the three months he was there, he was able to catch on quickly with the language because it was pretty similar to Fijian.
He is now back at Laucala Bay Secondary School where he will pass on the skills of playing bamboo instruments.
He encouraged all who would be given the chance to go on the same scholarship program.
For him, it was an opportunity that left him enriched and there is nothing about it that he would want to change.
He will never forget his first day in Jakarta where he did a sevusevu of yaqona at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and there was no bilo, so they had to use coffee cups to taki.
All who come away from Indonesia will never forget terima kasih thank yo

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET LEDUA SIGANI OF LAKEBA, LAU

2007-09-17T23:43:00.001+12:00

MONTFORT Boys Town won the Tadra Kahani for a record fifth time last week and for a group of young men, there is no better way of passing their message than through music and dance.
One of the students has been behind the two-years-in-a-row win.
He is Ledua Sigani, 20, an automotive engineering student from Waciwaci Village on Lakeba in Lau and the team leader.
"I believe that through music and dancing we are able to spread the message youths would like to share with the world," he said.
Ledua said one could always associate youths with music so it was easy for them to use music as a tool to highlight their concerns about issues affecting youths.
"We are grateful that such events are being organised and we are able to participate."
Ledua said the event was something the boys of Montfort at Veisari looked forward to every year.
He said the show brought out a lot of characters in the participants which the school was not aware of.
"With the show we are able to see some of the hidden talents my peers have and we often joke about it.
"For some, dancing is something we think only takes place in nightclubs but we have come to learn that music and dancing can be a tool of passing our thoughts and views on issues that concerns us."
Ledua said the Tadra Kahani had become a property of the school and it was something they would defend to the death. "I can say the competition every year has been really tough and it is getting tougher and we were glad to be able to take out the overall crown again this year."
Their theme this year was 'Inner Power Struggle' and all who watched the show at the Vodafone Arena will not dispute that Montfort Boys Town's performance was unique and a class of it's own. Ledua said the theme motivated the students to put up a vibrant and colourful performance. "The theme depicts the struggle we face from the womb to the tomb.
"Our hearts and minds are withered with insensitivity, self-righteousness and judgmentalism.
"We have to be life-giving people and celebrate life." He said the 60 students who took part were able to pass on the message in an award winning way.
"Montfort's performance was different from all other schools.
"It was simple but extravagant in the sense of the choreography of the dance moves.
"Our costumes, paints and background was simple and I believe that it was the choreography that made the difference." Montfort was the last school to go on stage, as defending champions, and they stunned the audience and won the accolades of the crowd.
Ledua said the win was a result of the effort put together by the students and staff of the school.
"Our principal was the driving force behind the scene and we also had staff members such as Master Ravin, who was always there for the performers." Ledua said they practised for one and half hours everyday during their free time and classes were not affected by their practice.
"Putting together the show was not easy and a lot had to be sacrificed but it was worth it."
He said the opportunity to give the performers a chance to show the God-given talents they had is something the school will always be proud of. He said the win was an added bonus to the boys and he dedicated it to all the staff and students who worked tirelessly behind the scene.
"This award is also for the old boys who won the award during their years at Montfort."
The school won the Tadra Kahani show in 2001, 2002 when it was known as the Rock Challenge and in 2003 and 2006.
This year it was changed from Tadra Kahani to the Dream Story and Montfort Boys Town gave them something to dream about.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET RUSIATE SAVUTO OF SAQANI

2007-09-15T07:35:00.000+12:00

Rusiate Savuto Vakadewavosa is a die-hard Fiji rugby fan. He has just released a single to inspire our team to the Rugby World Cup in France.
Titled Go Fiji go, Savuto as he is commonly called, hopes his song will inspire Fiji fans to rally behind the team.
"It is something that we need and what the team needs, taking into account what has happened around us," he says.
"I believe if there is a time our boys in France need our support the most, it would be during the World Cup campaign," he said.
Savuto is a Form Seven student at Lelean Memorial School and hails from the village of Lakeba in the district of Saqani in Cakaudrove.
Still in secondary school, this motivated young man has already released two singles and has vowed to release more in the near future.
The outspoken youngster said his love for music was nurtured as he grew up.
Being the only child of a talatala (church minister), Savuto would be part of every church gathering at his home as well as those that involved the community.
This was how he was introduced to music through Christian hymns. Savuto's dad is well known within the Methodist Church ranks.
Reverend Epineri Vakadewavosa is the principal of the Methodist Church Theological College at Davuilevu, Nausori.
Savuto said he first became a choir member when he was in primary school at Lautoka Methodist School.
"Even though we sing at home and in church my first choir was at Lautoka Methodist," he said.
After Lautoka, his father was enrolled at university in the United States of America where he furthered his study and the then young boy was introduced to a totally new environment and of cause new music.
"From Lautoka we had to go to America, and I attended Sycamore Elementary School in California," he said.
"This was also where my eyes and ears were taken away by the varieties of music that young people were exposed to in the States.
"I was amazed and because of the little knowledge and talent that I had brought over from Fiji I was motivated to explore more about music," Savuto said.
And that was exactly what this Saqani man did; he took up music classes for the six years in California.
However, this Davuilevu student said although there is a lot of different kinds of music in the world today, nothing beats the old traditional Fijian singing.
"We have heard so many international musicians thriving in the music industry and for me I still look up to Sakiusa Bulicokocoko and Laisa Vulakoro as inspirations," he said.
However, Savuto said he very much into contemporary music where all kinds of music are blended to bring out something a little bit different.
"I believe there is life in music, and creating melody is something that brings out life for me," he said.
Meanwhile the Go Fiji go release is currently number two on a Fijian radio station hit list and this was something he was grateful for.
However, this was not his first. His first single release was titled Na Noqu Timi which was dedicated to the Lelean Memorial School under 19 team that won the Deans Trophy last year.
With an ambition to pursue a career in music, Savuto is looking forward to release an album that would include all his single releases.
"I have made up my mind and I believe I would be able to pursue a professional career in singing," he said confidently.
Savuto said the support he has been receiving has been overwhelming especially from his parents, schoolmates and friends.
Savuto said he would be one of the future stars that would bring back live music to the scene, doing away with programmed music.
"Music is life and of cause the music has to be live," he said.
With his passion for music, this young man brings out memories of the late John Lennon of the Beatles who once said, "As I play the game of life, I try to make it better each and every day. And when I struggle in the night, the magic of the music seems to light the way".

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET MARICA BALEIVANUALALA OF FULAGA

2007-09-09T08:47:00.000+12:00

THERE is no substitute for hard work as Marica Baleivanualala can tell you after she won top honours at the Fiji School of Nursing graduation this week.
Becoming a nurse has always been a vision for this young woman who was brought up in Seaqaqa.
Marica said she would not have won the Outstanding Overall Performance award in the Diploma of Nursing course if she had not put in the extra effort in her work.
Marica, 21, traces her roots to Muana-i-Cake Village on Fulaga in Lau but considers herself to be from Seaqaqa where she, her siblings and parents have lived most of their lives.
She is the daughter of a cane farmer and a simple housewife.
Dressed in sulu and jiaba with gafigafi (waist mat) on graduation, it was plain to see how proud she was.
"This is something I did not really expect to win," Marica said.
"I worked hard because I wanted to be a nurse and a good one," she said with a smile but being dux is a bonus and proves that walking the extra mile is not bad after all." Marica is the first in the family to join the order of Florence Nightingale and is proud of it.
"No one in the family has been a nurse and this did not happen to me until I enrolled at the Fiji School of Nursing," she said.
"It was also the reason I had to make it, so I could be the first in the family."
Marica said her upbringing was one she always admired because her parents had seven daughters and two sons to look after. She is the third eldest.
"I was brought up in Seaqaqa and like any other who was brought up in the North, especially Seaqaqa, the usual sights are the sugarcane fields, sugar train and trucks that transport cane to the mill," she said.
"The experience I had from my upbringing was totally different from what I encountered when I enrolled at FSN.
"Everything was new, a culture shock you could say, but I had to adapt fast to the new environment so that I could cope."
Marica did cope very well and her results told the story of her hard work.
"I started school at Vunibasoga Primary School and went for secondary education at Seaqaqa Central College where I completed Form Six," she said.
She went to Labasa College to do Form Seven but left after the first term because she had been accepted at FSN.
"It was the first time for me to leave everyone at home and come to Viti Levu."
And for someone who has been so close to her brothers and sisters Marica admitted it was tough.
"But I knew this was an opportunity I should not miss because I would need to help my parents when I get a job," she said.
"I managed to survive at FSN partly because of the support I was getting from my family in Suva, especially my late uncle Mitieli Baleivanualala and other relatives. I owe them a lot.
"Graduating was something I had been looking forward to since the day I enrolled at FSN and to be recognised for the effort and hard work I put into my studies is really overwhelming but my studies do not end here."
Marica will do her internship at Nabouwalu Hospital in Bua where she can travel to and from Seaqaqa to visit her family but it is not the end of the road because she wants to pursue a degree in medicine.
"I want to be a doctor."
According to Marica the secret to success is to trust in the Lord and respect the advice given by elders.
"I would like to encourage those who are willing to take up nursing to take the challenge and be part of the family.
"Nursing is a noble profession and I challenge young people there to try it."
But above all, the country girl says that the key to all achievement is hard work and more hard work.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET SEVULONI RATU OF VUDA

2007-09-09T08:43:00.000+12:00

It is hard to believe that Sevuloni Rokomatu Ratu is the mentor for hundreds of Red Cross Fiji volunteers.
Ratu, 21, is the HIV/AIDS program team leader and a source of inspiration and motivation for thousands of youths.
His job is to help them grasp the hard facts of life and to live responsibly.
Providing young people with the right guidance and correct information may be a difficult task for some but not for him.
Being able to do something for people is what gives him the greatest satisfaction.
He is handling a two-week HIV/AIDS awareness workshop at Red Cross in Suva where 22 participants from five branches are being trained.
The trained participants carry awareness work.
Ratu hails from Lawaki Village, Vuda, outside Lautoka.
After completing his high school studies at Vishnu Deo Secondary School, Ratu was in search of a job where he could help out people.
"When I was young I always had the passion to help people," he said.
"When I grew up, I was looking for a job that reflected this passion.
"It was a little hard to find such a job in the beginning."
That changed after he acquired formal skills.
In 2004, he did a one-year course in business and secretarial studies at the City Education Institute and a six-week course in computing with the New Zealand Pacific Training Centre.
Ratu was confused about where to go and finally decided to join the Red Cross Lautoka branch towards the end of 2004.
"When I joined the Red Cross, I felt I had come to the right place. I never looked to find another job since. I was only 18 years old then but I knew there was so much I could do," he said
"I did not know about Red Cross in depth but I knew it helped out people in need and those with problems so I was willing to take up that challenge," he said. Ratu started off as a health and welfare program officer.
"My focus was to care for people with disabilities and running sessions for people with lifestyle disease.
"I used to go around schools with other colleagues doing puppet shows and teaching students about HIV/AIDS, drugs, alcohol and lifestyle diseases.
"Joining the Red Cross was a boost to my career and finally I felt I was settled.
"I knew I was engaged in doing something that contributes to the society," he said.
Ratu was later promoted as the master peer educator on HIV/AIDS.
"My role here was to go out to the rural areas in Lautoka and let people know about HIV/AIDS," he said.
For some of us going out to the community and preaching about a topic seen as taboo can be pretty difficult but not for Ratu because that was what he wanted to do from the start.
He was called to the Suva branch in March as the HIV/AIDS program team leader and required to monitor all HIV/AIDS projects run in Fiji.
"I have to keep track with what's happening in all the 14 branches and see the implementation of all our programs with feedback on progress," he said.
The biggest challenge for Ratu was working with different communities but he has learnt to overcome that.
What triggers Ratu to get going is one of the seven principles of Red Cross.
"One of our principles says no to discrimination on race, gender and religion. We have to stay neutral and this is what gets me going and made me overcome many barriers that came my way.
"I enjoy what I do because I know I am passionate about it."

Adapted from Fijtimes Online

MEET NASI TAGI OF TAILEVU

2007-09-01T07:30:00.000+12:00

FOR many young people fresh out of high school, the subjects they took in school for their future career path do not always turn out the way they expected.
Most of the time, the unthinkable happens.
Some who studied art subjects in high school end up working in the science field or the other way around.
This was the case with Nasi Tagi who completed secondary education with her sights set on a career path in the field of information technology.
But after securing her passes in the IT field at NZPTC, she had a change of heart and moved into the hospitality industry.
"I joined the tourism industry because in my view it is the largest and ever-expanding industry right now," she said.
"And for me, coming from one end of a totally different career path to this has been an eye opener.
"But I am grateful to the staff that I work with in the food and beverage department.
"I studied IT at the NZPTC but after completing my studies, had a change of heart and decided to join the tourism industry.
"For me, the tourism industry or working here at the Warwick is interesting because we get to meet and interact with a lot of people from all walks of life and see many things.
"In my field of work we meet a lot of people from different backgrounds and from across the world.
"Tourism has its advantages and for me right now I have been learning a lot of things as I work."
The 23-year-old lass from Tonia Village in Tailevu said when the opportunity came to start work at the Warwick's food and beverage department, she grabbed the chance.
She has been with the Warwick Fiji Resort for the past four years.
She started as a wine waiter at the resort's Seafood restaurant.
Four years down the road, Nasi has been promoted to be hostess of the Papagalo, the resort's Italian restaurant.
In the years she has been with the Warwick, Nasi has also entered the Bartender and Waiter of the Year competitions.
"I entered the Wine Waiter of the Year competition in 2005. It was the first time I entered.
"I came fourth but I learnt a lot from the other competitors who have helped me a lot in my work.
"I have a long way to go in the tourism field and I aim to gain experience from my senior colleagues."
However, at the back of her mind, Nasi says she is still keen on furthering her knowledge in the IT field.
She is keeping her options open if and when she changes her mind and leaves tourism. "I am keeping my options open.
"I am still young and there are a lot of opportunities out there for young people.
"Young people need to think hard and have options available to them so they can always have something to fall back on or do in the future."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET AKESA DROTINI OF NASAIBITU, WAINIBUKA

2007-08-16T20:20:00.000+12:00

Akesa Drotini walks every morning along the gravel and dusty road from her village to school.
The one and a half mile walk is long for someone her age, but she walk with a dream to represent her country one day.
This lass is set to showcase her talent as she tries to outshine other runners at the Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa later this month.
Drotini, 14, may be the youngest in the athletics team but to her size does not matter.
The slim runner could not believe her ears when she was told she would be representing her country this year.
The specialist 3000 metre runner is expected to be one athlete who will attract attention as she takes on other athletes who are much older and bigger than her.
This shy Wainibuka lass is one who does not do a lot of talking, but she does where it matters most on the track.
She is a Form Two student of Wainibuka Secondary School in Tailevu.
"I live at Nasaibitu Village in Wainibuka," she said.
"And I walk to school and back home every day."
Kesa, as she is known among her peers, is a little girl with the very big ambition of achieving greater things in athletics.
"The first time for me to compete competitively was during the Milo Games, where I won a bronze medal," Kesa said.
However, things changed for Kesa when she went up to Class Eight.
"My parents told me that I can not achieve anything if I do not give everything I have so I started to commit myself to training," she said.
"I train at school with the teachers and when I am at home it is my parents who continue to push me to do my best and I believe this is my biggest achievement in life.
"I ran in the 3000 metres race at the Coca-Cola Games and I was not surprised when I won gold because I knew I had trained hard for it," she said.
Kesa said the moment she received the gold was one of the happiest moments in her life as she remembered the hard work she had to endure before competing.
"I would like to have that feeling again in Samoa," she said.
Kesa said she knows it will not be an easy task to be up against the best from the Pacific.
"I know it won't be easy, but I will give it my best shot even if I have to be carried away from the finish line," she said.
One would not be surprised with the attitude Kesa has because her mother, Vasemaca Drotini was a sprinter during her young days in Ra.
Kesa said her mother hails from Nalidi, Nakorotubu in Ra.
"She was a 50 and 100 metre champion, but I have opted to run the 3000 metres," she said.
Kesa said she had been given the full support of the people of Nasaibitu as well as from her fellow students at Wainibuka Secondary School.
She has been travelling to Suva every fortnight to train and said her parents really had to scrape through thick and thin to send her for training.
She admits that while she hopes to have a bright future on the tracks, her biggest drawback is funding.
"At home my father stresses to my other six siblings that whatever we eat and drink at home we should always appreciate it because they want me to go to the Games," she said.
Before heading to Samoa, Kesa has been invited to be one of the athletes from Fiji to take part in the International Amateur Athletics Federation World meet in Osaka, Japan.
She said this would be her biggest build up before she competes at the Pacific Games.
Those willing to assist this young girl on her trip can deposit money through the ANZ Bank account number 9970023.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET LISA PURMODH

2007-08-13T21:09:00.000+12:00

SHE'S following in dad's footsteps but already she has a kick to kaila to.
That's Lisa Purmodh, the petite, locked Australian head-turner who is drumming a swathe through Fiji.
She's the almost elfin super-charged power ranger perched behind the drum kit of Cool Runnings, the Aussie roots-rockers paying a visit to the land of their fathers, doing what they do best making sweet sounds.
Lisa makes no bones about where her inspiration comes from in dad James, the Fiji-born drum master she grew up watching and listening to kicking and rattling away.
Now she has her own foot firmly on the pedal, slowly but surely boom, booming away at the prospect of a Grammy somewhere ahead.
It is the thinking of a winner that makes a winner and Lisa is well on her way.
That her star is in the ascendancy is of little doubt.
She is far more than daddy's daughter basking in the glow of his hand-me-down spotlight.
In fact, in the short time she has thrown herself into music, she has already outshone dad, in some respects.
Lisa was the last Cool Runner to arrive in Fiji for this august tour, flying in from Mexico and Cuba where she was on the road with Caribbean Soul, another Down Under-based calypso-cum-reggae outfit.
"I started on the drums when I was 10," she said at the Dragon nightclub in Suva yesterday as she and dad hosted a drums and percussions clinic.
Despite the lack of courage by local musicians to learn insights into drums and percussions, the backbone of any group gelling with the bass, shown by the poor response, Cool Runnings and Lisa remained upbeat about their back-beat based sounds.
While on tour through Cuba, playing festivals all around the last bastion of communism in the free world, she visited Mexico and Barbados, from where George 'Ital' Gill, the group lead singer hails.
Of course, no one with a half-decent head on their shoulders will think of skipping Jamaica when visiting that part of the world.
Lisa was no different, visiting reggae's land of milk and honey from where the gospel of reggae sent its smoke signals to be deciphered and proclaimed all over the planet.
"I met Bob Marley's uncle while in Jamaica," she admitted.
There she met as well Winston Rodney, aka Burning Spear, one of the original rock-steady apostles of reggae and a host of dancehall, the commercial off-shoot of the spiritualistic one-drop, artistes.
Back home in Oz, she is part of Diaspora, a Afro-funk jazz outfit led by an Ivorian who hails from the impoverished nation that gave the world Alpha Blondy, in addition to Survival Reggae, a group headed by Ghanaian Afro Moses.
When not doing the rounds of clubs, gig venues or private jams, Lisa can be found at Telstra Stadium whenever the South Sydney Rabbitohs play at home.
Then she becomes one of 24 queens who drum up support for one of the two remaining founding National Rugby League clubs.
She suits up in the red and green after being head-hunted while jamming at the Basement, Sydney's premier jazz joint.
As if that's not enough, Lisa, 20, already has eyes of forming a partnership with elder sister Leah, 23, who is a dab hand on bass, a female version of Sly and Robbie and in the making.
She draws inspiration from Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Bob Marley, naturally.
She likes the prophet's Roots, rock reggae track and Babylon By Bus, the album that all self-respecting musicians can learn a thing or two from, no matter that it was set down a quarter of a century ago.
Lisa says she is grateful for the 100 per cent backing she gets from mum, a nurse back home.
Her advice to anyone who wants to do anything well is simple: "Practice, practice, practice." That's why at such a young age, she is already so very mature in the way she approaches her music.
"It is something I've always wanted to do," she says simply.
A lifeless workmate asked, does the lissome lass have anyone special in her life?
To find that out you'll have get to the Dragon any Thursday in August, wait for a break between brackets and ask her yourself. Take as many friends as you can.
Since it has nothing to do with music making, it was not something I delved into.
But if you do, be so ever polite, after all, dad James is just a conga away.
Before you say or do anything remember: Why should dads in Oz be any different from dads doting on their daughters here at home.
At the very least, you'll hear some of the coolest grooves we have had in a while, too long a while, in fact.
As for the future, we can but only urge her on and in the name of her father proudly claim her as one of ours as well.
Jah live.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET EPELI VAKALALABURE

2007-08-03T06:38:00.000+12:00

Young, vocal and active are three words that perfectly describe Epeli Vakalalabure, who is devoted to building a safe and conducive environment for the youths of Fiji.

Epeli hails from the beautiful Natewa Bay, in the province of Cakaudrove.

While Natewa Bay may be one of those spots that most would want to visit, this young man wants to make Fiji a place where youths are respected for who they are and what they stand for.
The 23-year-old is the youngest worker contracted by the United Nations Children Education Fund as a consultant to coordinate and facilitate regional youth workshops.
Epeli comes from a family of two sisters and three brothers, all of whom support his work and says there is nothing as rewarding as working for youths.
"I was educated at Veiuto Primary School and then Suva Grammar School,"he said.
"I was always interested in youth issues when I was in secondary school and I was blessed when I joined youth organisations dealing with issues concerning the youths of today."
Epeli certainly became aware of issues affecting youths when he was chosen as Speaker of The House during the Youth Parliament in 2004.
"I guess that was the biggest opportunity for me as a student, to listen and, at the same time, make decisions on the issues tabled in the Youth Parliament."
As soon as he left school, Epeli joined the Scripture Union In Schools, becoming active in organising rallies and camps around the country.
"SUIS is a Christian organisation that helps build Christian values in primary and secondary students,"he said.
Epeli is usually involved in visiting schools and promoting the ideals of SUIS.
In addition, he is responsible for bringing members together, especially during school breaks. "From this, I have been able to meet thousands of youths from around the country and we are able to share our different backgrounds and the problems that we face in our daily lives,"he said.
"When I joined UNICEF I thought this would be the biggest break in my career because it is an arm of the United Nations that primarily looks into youths.
"It was a step up the ladder in the work that I do, but it was not only faith-oriented it was a holistic approach to youths."
Epeli said it took a youth to fully understand the problems, difficulties and struggles that other youths faced.
"Because we are youths, those who face problems feel safe to share with us their experiences because we are of the same age group,"he said.
He said it was always a joy to see a young person being able to pick up the pieces and fight on to prosper in life.
Epeli once represented the youths of Fiji to the World Youth Festival in Spain.
He is part of the Young People Concerned Network, a group that was vocal during the December 5 takeover.
"The group had been very vocal during the political crisis, advocating young people's rights and democracy,"he said.
He is part of the Citizens Constitutional Youth Forum, saying joining all those organisations had rewarded him.
"It has taught me to be more confident, it has taught me to know my rights and it has given me the skills on how to go about communicating with youths in doing advocacy work,"he said.
He said his work was never boring.
"My advice to young people is to never give up and always have hope.
"Every youth has potential and only and when one tries it out then he or she will be able to know where his or her strength lies,"he said.

MAKE LIKU MOVONO

2007-07-24T18:04:00.000+12:00

Ni sa bula vinaka. My name is Make Liku Movono. I am originally from Buca Village, Cakaudrove Province, while my koro ni vasu is Naimalavau Village, Tailevu Province.

What schools did you attend. I attended Saint Mary’s Primary School in Labasa during my primary school years and moved on to Adi Cakobau School (ACS) from Form 1 to 6. I later moved to Queen Victoria School, where I completed my Form 7.

What is your job title, and why did you choose that particular field.
I’m a Marine Ecologist, and I chose this field because I love the ocean for starters. Most importantly as a pacific islander, I understand how much we rely on our marine resources for our livelihood. Studying marine ecology will help contribute to the understanding of our marine resources and the sustainable use of it.

What subjects (secondary school to tertiary) are required to do the field of work that you do.

I started studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and English in ACS during my secondary school years. I later moved on to the University of the South Pacific to study for my Bachelor of Science (BSc) majoring in Marine Science. I later continued on to my Post Graduate Diploma in Marine Science and have also completed my Masters of Science Degree (MSc) in Marine Science.

What is your view as being a woman doing this work.
It is challenging in a sense that you work in a male dominated field (everyone at working my department- are males). They do view you as a female and I guess you just have to work harder and set standards in whatever you do.

What other opportunities are available in this line of work.
There are a lot of opportunities in this field of work. You get to work at community level and at the same time you can empower your own community on basic understanding of their resources. They can then monitor it themselves after teaching them. Apart from community work, you also have the opportunity to advise government on policies concerning the natural resources, for example through Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). We can also travel overseas, and exchange ideas with other countries and letting them know about Fiji’s case studies. There are a lot of opportunities in this field. One can work at regional or national levels, or even in Non Governmental Organization (NGO’s) working either as an academic, or a researcher like I am

What is a major highlight of your work that you would like to share.
I guess the major highlight of my work would have to be my project I worked on, on the effects of the live rock trade. This was a concern from the communities and I found an interest in that so I decided to do more research on the subject. There is a lot of detrimental impact on biodiversity, so with the research that I did, I was able to advise government and they have decided on bans provided there are alternative sources of income for the people in the community. I am continuing my research on the production of cultured rock so they do not have to harvest their reefs. This project has also stirred an interest from international level as I was invited to attend conferences (scholarship) in Sydney, also in Japan and in August of this year, I have been invited to attend and exchange course in Zurich. That has been the highlight of my work, in particular discovering something new and finding solutions to the problems. Results might not happen over night but it’s an interesting process to get to where you want to go.

What are your plans for further studies? What opportunities are there for you.
Well, I want to develop this study and once the cultured rock is going I want to do a more holistic study on it- include socio-economic impacts etc for a PhD overseas.

Any advice you would like to give our youngsters who may be interested to follow your footsteps? If you have a passion for something, be brave and go for it. Keep in mind that passion can develop into something great, with faith. Just tackle one step at a time and enjoy doing it!

VINAKA VAKALEVU SARA

Make, the Fijituwawa Team would like to wish you all the very best in your work, travels and your plans for further studies. You are indeed a role model for our young ones who are aspiring to do something in this field of science!

Feedback on Tuwawa Youth of the Month

2007-04-30T16:19:00.000+12:00

Our Tuwawa Youth of the Month concept was born out of the idea that Youths are often not recognised in the work that they do. This is an opportunity where their achievements can be seen and shared with their peers, and acknowledged by members of the Fijian community worldwide.

Let us know of any youths in your neighbourhood that needs to be featured on our website, and also if you have feedback on making this initiative a better one, please email us your thoughts.

Look forward to hearing your views on the youths of the month we have featured so far.

Vinaka!

SANAILA RALEQE: TUWAWA YOUTH OF THE MONTH MARCH 2007

2007-04-21T13:36:00.000+12:00

Miau sa bula Re!

Na yacaqu o Sanaila Raleqe. Au cavutu mai na koro o Tavea ena Tikina o Lekutu ena Yasana vaka Turaga O Bua. Noqu Mataqali o Lasakau, ena Tokatoka o Sawai ena Yavusa o Burenitu I Wai. Au vasu ena koro o Naidiri ena tikina o Malomalo ena Yasana Vakaturaga O Nadroga.

· Tutu vakavanua: Gonedau
· Kau: Vasa
· Manumanu: Visako
· Noqui cavuti vakaturaga: I Rocivo vua na turaga na Tunidau, I Cakaunitabua vua na Gone Turaga na Tui Bua

My primary school education began at Veiuto Primary School. I continued on to finish my secondary education at Suva Grammar School. My parents were both graduates of the University of the South Pacific and were secondary school teachers in Fiji in the 1980's to the end of the 1990's. My dad unfortunately passed away in the year 1997 after a short illness. My mum then the sole breadwinner in the family brought us through to this very day. I have a younger brother who now works for Clay Engineering in Fiji and a younger sister who is currently into her 2nd year pursuing her degree at the University of Canterbury.

I currently work as a Youth & Recreation Officer at the Canterbury Fiji Social Service Trust based here in Christchurch. I basically organise and oversee the running of all the youth programmes that we offer to the Riccarton / Wigram area. Our youth programmes are multi racial and we have participants from all ethnic backgrounds. We target two main age categories, which are 5- 10 years and 11 - 19 years. These are some of the youth programmes that we offer:

PROGRAMME

HOLIDAY PROGRAMME

YOUTH@GR8

OUT OF SCHOOL CARE

AGE CATEGORY

5- 10 YEARS & 11 - 19 YEARS

11 - 19 YEARS

5 - 10 YEARS

The programmes have different modes of time basis when it is being run. The Out of School Care is being offered throughout the school terms where children are being looked after as soon school finishes till their parents pick them up after their days work. The Holiday programme on the other hand is only offered during the school term holidays. Whilst the life skill programme which is called the Youth @ Gr8 is an ongoing programme throughout the year on fortnightly basis.

We have some other staff members who help organise the daily activities for the OSCAR and the Holiday programmes. I personally concentrate and spend most of my time with the Life Skill Programme, which is called the Youth@GR8. This is a collective number of youths within the Riccarton / Wigram area whom are being prone to personal and social problems at home and in schools. Often youth workers would know them generally as Youth @ risk. Therefore I have changed the whole nametag and personal views on them by naming our youth group as youth@ great. The name itself inspires an individual that he or she is special and can always achieve their personal goals in life to become a successful person one-day.

Hence fortnightly we go for weekend camps, a day at the confidence course, retreats, tours to heritage parks and sceneries, picnics, sports and we also do community work like clean up campaigns and neighbourhood day celebrations. In these special programmes we provide special talks presented by myself or invited speakers. The aim is to encourage youths that life is best if we take our chances, believe in ourselves and live positively in society. I often enjoy these sessions and found them to be a great learning experience for the youths and empowering for me personally. We aspire to develop social interaction, culture integration, and mainly build personal development for all our participants.

Apart from the above, we also have other youth programmes that directly target Fijian youths around Christchurch. We have a cultural dance (Meke) group that often participates in various events within Canterbury. The focus is to encourage our Fijian youths to know their culture and develop the ability to appreciate it by the expression of traditional meke or contemporary dance.

We also have a Radio youth programme which airs on Plains FM 96.9 every week on Thursdays from 6pm - 7pm. The multi- lingual programme is heard throughout Christchurch and comprises of news, interviews, old folk and traditional Fijian songs.

In the year 2006 the programme was awarded the best youth programme on community radio here in Christchurch. It has been also the medium of gathering information by the Fijian community to update Fijians in the Canterbury region of any important upcoming events.

If there is something I have learnt throughout my whole life and especially working with youths is that " Nothing is impossible".

WE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.

Vinaka vakalevu.

MACIU VUCAGO: TUWAWA YOUTH OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY 2007

2007-04-21T13:33:00.000+12:00

Ni Sa Bula,

O au o Maciu Vucago. Au vola kawabula e na vanua vaka Nalolo, na Yavusa ko Dravuni, Koro ko Deuba, Yasana rairai totoka ko Serua.

I was born and raised in Deuba village, situated on the beautiful province of Serua. I attended all my primary school level education at Deuba District School. I left the village for secondary education at Queen Victoria School in 1990, and completed Fiji Seventh Form at Nasinu Secondary School in 1997. I migrated to New Zealand in January 2000 after two years stint of work experience at Telecom Fiji Ltd.

Current Education Details
Post Graduate Dip - Development Studies (Leadership and Governance) - Current (Victoria University of Wellington).
Bachelor in Arts - Development Studies and Public Policies - 2006

Diploma in Bilingual Education - Primary - 2003 My New Zealand Experience
New Zealand or Aotearoa has become part of a significant chapter in my life story. It has provided me with a lot of opportunities and support so I can be able to realize my own aspirations in life. Some of these aspirations have become realities. Some are still to be achieved. As a Fijian and a Pacific Islander, I am fortunate to have been taught values that have been deeply embedded within me. These values are what I share with people around me.

My family has played a key role in my life outside of Fiji. Upon arriving to this new country, I developed a fear of the unknown. I at times feel totally alienated, as I see a new culture different from what I was used to. I then found out that in order to be successful in a new country, I have to experience a different life so I can develop the confidence to face challenges that life may bring. I became actively involved in various community groups; working with them has boosted my confidence. For instance, the Methodist Church, the Wanganui Fijian Community, the Wanganui Pasifika Community and the Fijian youth needed my help and so I voluntarily provided my assistance. These experiences I hold dear in my heart especially, those lives I had touched and helped through the years.

Current Work and Studies
I currently work as a part time tutor in the Institute of Education at Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) as well as a fellow with the Pacific Regional Leadership Group contracted by NZAID to facilitate leadership development in the Pacific. Voluntarily, I am the President of the Fiji students Association at VUW; youth coordinator to Wellington Wesley youth, and as an executive member to the Pacific Nations Educators Association (PNEA). Most importantly, I am a choir member of the Taranaki Wesley Fijian Congregation in Wellington. Even though I have a lot of extra curricular responsibilities, I still prioritize my studies.

My advice to Fijian Youths
The smaller positive contribution that you may give today, even though it may look insignificant to you, will eventually become bigger in the future. Build a dream and a vision for yourself and strive towards it. Being a Fijian is a blessing, if you use it to your advantage. We are born with integrity to serve and if given the opportunity to serve, serve meaningfully. We are also born with the mindset to defend life, from birth till death. This is symbolic through the unconditional value of sharing that we are born with as Fijians. We must always aspire to be leaders in our own unique ways. Always be committed and loyal to the work and responsibility entrusted to you. True Fijians are ethical and socially responsible. Find the real Fijian in you, be courageous and give hope to those who need it. Keep that smile that sets us apart from other nationalities. Last but not least, there is nothing impossible on this earth and live life to the full!!!!!

Vinaka vakalevu

EMA TAVOLA: TUWAWA YOUTH OF THE MONTH JANUARY 2007

2007-04-21T13:29:00.000+12:00

Ni sa bula vinaka!

Na yacaqu 'o Ema Rosemary Vasemaca Tavola. Na tamaqu 'o Kaliopate Tavola; na tinaqu 'o Helen Goodwill Tavola mai Palmerston North, Niu Siladi. Na noqu koro 'o Dravuni, mai na tikina 'o Ono, na yasana 'o Kadavu. Na noqu Yavusa 'o Natusara, na noqu Mataqali 'o Navusalevu, na noqu i tokatoka 'o Samualevu se 'o Naisaumualevu.

I was born in Suva in 1982 and raised in London, England (1984-1988) and Brussels, Belgium (1989-1998), whilst my father was working for Fiji Sugar Marketing and as the Fiji Ambassador to Belgium and the EU. I spent ten years at the British School of Brussels, and in 1998 our family moved back to Fiji. I completed 7th Form at Wellington High School, and returned to Fiji in 1999 to commence a year's work experience before embarking on tertiary education.

In 2000, I worked as Production Assistant at Fiji Television, and as the Creative Director of FijiVillage.com, the website of Communications Fiji Limited. After the civilian coup of 2000, I was made redundant and returned to Wellington to continue gaining work experience. There I worked for four months as the Receptionist of the Fiji High Commission, amongst other temporary administration jobs.

In 2001, I returned to Suva and started painting, as I was unemployed and had a lot of time on my hands! I was fortunate to be selected for a two week painting workshop at the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture at the University of the South Pacific, facilitated by John Pule, renowned New Zealand Niuean painter and author.

This workshop was the start of my awareness as artist, and helped me to identify a path in life that engaged my heart, soul and mind. I continued painting after this workshop, and managed to find a job in the challenging post-coup environment of Suva, working as a retail assistant at Wai Tui Surf. I evolved this role into a 'Visual Merchandiser' role, to capitalise on my creative strengths. I wanted to achieve more in the creative field, so my mother, an educationalist, urged me to pursue a degree, and I found the perfect programme at Manukau School of Visual Arts, in Otara, South Auckland. My goal was to complete the degree, spend four years in Auckland researching and developing a business plan to return and open my own art gallery in Suva.

I moved to Auckland in late 2001, and settled into Auckland life, living with friends, also recent migrants from Suva. I found work at a shop in Auckland City called Pauanesia, selling Pacific arts and crafts. I worked there until my course began in 2002, when I moved to Otara.

There were many points in my study at University when I wanted to go home: I missed the support of my family, especially in the cold New Zealand winter months. I am very independent, but I would get so uplifted after my Sunday night conversation with mum and dad, and whoever was at home in Suva. University really challenged me, in lots of ways. I became in Pasifika mentor in my second year to help other Pasifika students adapt to University life, a most fulfilling role that I stuck with for two years.

In my third year, I got involved with a community art gallery in Otara, which allowed me to experiment with exhibition organisation and introduced me to the realities of working within the visual arts/gallery context. I loved it! I spent my final year at University researching and developing my understanding of art curatorship, art placement and audiences, and investigating the potential and limitations of the gallery context.

I did a series of projects where Pacific (and Maori) contemporary visual arts were purposely placed in Pacific and Maori contexts, including an exhibition in suburban Otahuhu, an exhibition in print disseminated at the Otara Markets and 'Postcards from Suva', a postal exhibition!

I was fortunate to be able to return home to Suva almost every 6 months whilst studying, which helped remind me why I was here and my goal of opening my gallery. Periodically returning allowed me to monitor the changing socio-political and economic climate of Suva, which constantly impacted my gallery plans.

After completing my degree I secured what I have termed as my dream job, as Pacific Arts Co-ordinator for Manukau City Council, in South Auckland, New Zealand. Although it meant my plans of returning home to open my gallery went on hold, this position has given me incredible experience and insight into so many things that will make my gallery plans in Suva even stronger. The community art gallery I was volunteering at during my studies has recently been re-opened as a Council arts facility, Fresh Gallery Otara, and this is where I am based! I am now curating exhibitions, working with Pacific artists, developing projects and ideas, and developing the profile of Manukau City as an exciting space for the celebration and development of Pacific Arts in New Zealand.

Next year I'm involved with some excellent projects including an exhibition called "BUY SPEND SAVE NOW" about the politics of poverty and wealth, with Shigeyuki Kihara and Sieni Salesa, and a collaborative project with two Fiji artists from Melbourne, Australia: Torika Bolatagici and Salote Tawale, and Otara based video installation artist Leilani Kake. This collaborative project is due to take place in Suva in July to coincide wit a conference called "Lies: A conference on Art". My advice to young Fiji Islanders:

I always remember, as a Pacific person in New Zealand, that I am representing my country in everything I do. I represent my parents and my family, my extended family, my village... what I achieve here is a reflection on all of that. I'm so proud of Fiji, coup or no coup, I am so proud to come from Dravuni, and Suva. The strength of my cultural identity has come from my upbringing, but also my own awareness as an adult, taking the opportunity to live and work in Suva, learning by trying, sometimes feeling awkward and uneasy, all those experiences have enriched me more than I know.

Being Fijian, and having that connection to my vanua, is something no one can ever question or take away from me. It is our bloodlines and connections, whether we speak Fijian or not, whether we live in Hamilton or Hungary, we will always be Fijians.

The more I learn about Fiji and Fijians, the more I learn about why I am the way I am.

Vinaka vakalevu.

PENI SERU: TUWAWA YOUTH OF THE MONTH DECEMBER 2006

2007-04-21T13:19:00.000+12:00

Muru Lea Bula. Na yacaqu o Peni Diani Seru. Au gone ni Lomati, Nabukelevu, Kadavu. Vasu i Rukuruku, Levuka, Ovalau. I was born in the old capital of Fiji, Levuka, Ovalau.

Education Details
· Bachelor of Professional Education - University of Waikato- current
· Diploma In Education - FCAE, Fiji 1999
· Fiji Seventh Form Examination - Queen Victoria School, Fiji 1997
· Fiji School Leaving Certificate- Queen Victoria School, Fiji 1996
· Fiji Junior Cert - Ratu Kadavulevu School, Fiji 1994

I grew up in Kadavu Island at Richmond High School where both my parents taught for 9years. My parents are both school teachers. My dad, Peni Seru Snr is a school Principal at Ra High School in Rakiraki and my mum, Alanieta Wati is a primary school teacher at Navesi in Suva. I graduated with a Diploma In Education from the Fiji College of Advanced Education in 1999 and was teaching for 5 years at St Thomas High School, Lautoka and Ballantine Memorial School teaching Social Science and English Literature for Senior forms.

Connection to my 'dela ni yavu':
Yasana: Kadavu
Tikina: Nabukelevu
Yavusa: Namara I Cake
Tokatoka: Namara
Mataqali: Bure
Manumanu: Kaka
Ika: kawakawa

I am a Fiji Govt sponsored student here in NZ doing a degree in Professional education at Waikato. This study involves critical inquiry into the social, political, cultural, economic and personal theories and practices of lifelong education. My aim is to be a great leader of Fiji and improve Fiji's educational system into a higher quality standard.

I also work as a Residential Assistant at College Hall, Waikato Uni looking after our Pacific Islands students in terms of academic, social and general welfare in the Halls of residence. Also, a President of Fiji students Association here at Waikato University. In 2005 I was awarded the Logo Award for designing the Halls of Residence logo that will be used by the University of Waikato for 12years. This year, I was awarded the Manueli Koro trophy for Outstanding Contribution to Cultural Life at College Hall. Again on 6th October 2006, I received an award at the Waikato University Blues award for Overall Contribution and Service to Contemporary Art and Dance at the University. This after I designed the Logo, "tapa" banners and choreographed dances for the university's cultural & performances night, and Fiji students' winning performance 2years in a row. Performing and fine arts have always been a passion and part of my life. I have been doing art and choreography since high school, teacher's college and during my teaching years.

Other achievement in life that I would like to share is that, I am the first in my family to attend a University overseas. My role models are my parents - very staunch Christians who have been my mentor and have been motivating me all these years. Most importantly the God Almighty for being the source of strength, knowledge, wisdom and talents.

Believe in Yourself and let God be the captain, teacher and counselor of your journey.

If you can't be an oak on top of a hill, be a bush at the foothill, but be the best bush to grow. If you can't be a bush, then be green grass and double the beauty of the sides of a path. You may not be able to be the sun, but try to be a shining star. What matters is that, whatever role you play in this world, big or small, play the best and the most useful one.

Be proud of who you are and enjoy life to the fullest.

Vinaka Vakalevu & Ni sa Moce.

MELISSA LELO: TUWAWA YOUTH OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER 2006

2007-04-21T13:17:00.000+12:00

Bula Vinaka! Na yacaqu ko Melissa Lelo. I was born in Suva, Fiji. I grew up there and went to Yat Sen Primary School till our family moved to Auckland, NZ in 1988.

My family consists of my mum (Marian), dad (Herbert) and younger sister (Brianna). I completed all my secondary and tertiary education in Auckland. I have a Bachelor in Maori Studies, majoring in youth development and postgraduate diploma in Public Health. I enjoy playing most sports but particularly like indoor netball and touch rugby. I have strong determination in succeeding in anything I set my mind on.

My connections to Fiji is noted here below:
On my mothers side:
Mataqali in Gau is called the Takalai-gau
Yavusa is Buraia
Village is Na Korolevu (Sawaieke)
Province : Lomaiviti
Matanitu: Kubuna

On my fathers side:
My grandmother's is related to Tui Namosi
Danfords - Raiwaqa (na koro makawa)
Village in Navua

I have been away from Fiji for 19 years. I travel back to Fiji to visit family every couple of years or so and continue both personal/social and professional links with the Fijian Community both in Auckland and around NZ.

I work as a Health Promotion Advisor, ProCare Network Auckland. (One of NZ's largest - primary health organizations (PHO) www.procare.co.nz
My work involves assisting our people to improve their health and well-being as Pacific people in the Auckland region through good nutrition and regular physical activity.

I am also a committee member of the Action for Children Youth Aotearoa - promoting the well being of children and youth in Aotearoa. Also focusing on UN Convention on the rights of the child. (UNCROC). (www.acya.org.nz). Recently I am the Fijian rep on Pacific Island Advisory Board for Auckland City Council (www.aucklandcity.govt.nz). I am also the branch committee member of theNZ Association for Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) Auckland (www.nzaahd.org.nz) and member of the World Youth alumni (www.swynz.org.nz) and the Fijian youth leadership project (Auckland Fijian Community) www.aucklandfiji.org.nz

I aim to be a recognized leader in my chosen career path. (Areas of interest: health, youth, Pacific, policy) and aim to be able to speak Fijian and have a better understanding of my family history. I would love to travel around Fiji as well as the rest of the world.

My role model is any woman who is independent, intelligent, knows their 'stuff' and is willing to share their knowledge. In particular, one who knows whom they are, where they come from, and has strong family values.

Other achievement in life that I would like to share is I am the first in my family (on my dads side) to attend university and get a degree. (Bachelor in Maori Studies, majoring in youth development). I was also selected to represent NZ on the Ship for World Youth. This was a youth leadership program with 12 other countries from around the world sponsored by the Japanese government. It was a very memorable experience, full of new learning's. Check out www.swynz.co.nz for more details and upcoming selections.

My advice to youths who are reading my profile is to:

Be proud of your heritage and culture. Learn all you can from the older generation because you in turn will hold your family history, which will strengthen who you are as a person.

You don't have to be smart but be curious in seeking answers to the unknown. It's your journey that is the most important lesson not necessarily the end result.

Celebrate being young, especially being a young Fijian person living in NZ!