MEET AKESA DROTINI OF NASAIBITU, WAINIBUKA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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