FijiTuwawa News

APO THE KING OF KAVA RESEARCH

2008-10-22T15:09:00.002+13:00

Aporosa was teaching in a classroom in Kadavu when he started to feel doped from a late night of too much grog. He became acutely aware that he was still intoxicated, and that this affected his concentration, motivation, and that he wanted to sleep more than do his job, which was to impart education to the students.

This prompted him to question the effectiveness of other teachers following yaqona consumption, and to consider whether a link existed between the high under-achievement rate of students in Fiji and heavy yaqona drinking.
Aporosa is the Fijian name this part European traveller Shane was given by his part Fijian mother, a Robinson with links to the chiefly village of Naduri in Macuata.

Abo, as he is affectionately known has been doing his own experiments on the effects of yaqona on education. He has gone to the extreme with a plantation in Rauni, a piece of land in the scenic backdrop behind Richmond Methodist School in Kadavu.

So he conducted his experiment on whether there was a link between poor education delivery by teachers and their consumption of yaqona. Abo found that academic comment concerning yaqona's influence on education delivery was limited, although informal debate and discussion was widespread.

He found that some have even blamed traditional practices associated with the use and consumption of the beverage as a major reason for under-achievement in Fijian education. Shane took a sample of 38 teachers, Ministry of Education staff, academics and education stakeholders were surveyed and interviewed using a structured questionnaire and semi-formal interviews.

He found yaqona, a soporific intoxicating beverage, played a vital cultural and economic role in the rural educational arena and research participants confirmed that the over-consumption of yaqona by some teachers, both during and after school hours, was having a negative impact upon their ability to adequately deliver education to their students.

"Additionally, a number of factors were identified that I argue contribute to the over-consumption of yaqona by teachers in the rural teaching environment. "These include the cultural significance of yaqona, ceremony and presentation, the State/ community education delivery partnership, limited extra-curricula activity, the ethos of vakaturaga, obligation, bole (a non-aggressive form of competitive consumption), kinship, and masculinity.

"Despite these factors, I argue that the complete removal of yaqona from the school campus would be both impossible and detrimental, threatening limited financial resources and the State/community partnership, which is vital to the systems of rural education delivery; together with diluting culture, identity, and notions of self-worth, and therefore perpetuating under-achievement," he said.

It must be noted that while this study has concentrated on one particular research site, Richmond Methodist High School (RMHS), Kadavu, this does not single out any particular educational environment, religious association, or governance structure as being more liberal or restrictive in its approach to yaqona within its education delivery systems.

Aporosa said cultural practices surrounding yaqona at the research site are comparative with most rural Fijian school contexts. "Moreover, as with most semi-autonomous structures, certain practices tend to manifest to greater or lesser degrees.

"For example, two yaqona related experiences, occurrences that could potentially be deemed as amounting to serious professional misconduct, were observed at other secondary schools elsewhere in Fiji, and such behaviours have not been observed during the 400 plus days I have lived at RMHS over the past seven years."

Aporosa said he had been a regular consumer of yaqona for seven years, has a small yaqona farm at Natokalau, Kadavu, and an interest in the etiquette and culture surrounding its use. However, equally alarming in his findings was that only two brief comments linked yaqona consumption and education delivery. One from the Ministry of Education (MoE) which stated in its 515 page 2000 Fiji Islands Education Commission report entitled Learning Together: Directions for Education in the Fiji Islands, "Many teachers in rural areas also become involved in excessive yaqona consumption, with the result that they are less effective in their professional work. Instances have been cited where teachers leave classes unattended while they drank yaqona".

The other comment from a group of researchers from the Department of Education and Psychology at the University of the South Pacific, and the Ministry of Education, which visited Koro schools in 1994-5. Their report stated that yaqona has the "ability to sap energy and support listlessness and there can be little doubt that it substantially inhibits performance of duties in non-traditional professional environments, including the civil service and teaching."

The researchers asked that "individuals in the education service appraise the degree of moderation they bring to the habit, given the other demands on their intellectual powers, and perhaps to take a more parsimonious view of the amount of kava that might appropriately be imbibed at social gatherings"

Abo has found that while Mediherb 9, a professional newsletter produced for companies licensed to distribute herbal medicines, recommends a maximum daily dose of 200mgs of kavalactones, one standard cup can contain 247 mgs of this.

"Following the consumption of one bilo of yaqona, it can take up to nine hours for the kavalactones to reach maximum effect in the body," his research states. "This is because of the time it takes for the kavalactones to pass from the stomach into the bloodstream.

"Food eaten during, or after consumption, can disrupt this time period. It has been determined that the intoxicating effects of yaqona continue to work well after consumption ceases." The study goes in hand with a directive issued by Permanent Secretary for the Public Service Commission Taina Tagicakibau but still yet to be followed by a number of odd government schools and other schools in the country.

The findings of Shane's study are his own but they do confirm what many people already know about yaqona yet fail to address. But you should also understand that Shane does drink yaqona and he has even been to the nakamals in Vanuatu where it is drunk in stiff concentrations but in small amounts - three baby bowls can be the equivalent of any Fijian baby mix - so to speak.

Yaqona does affect productivity in some way or even directly - if you are sleeping during work.
Fijian Teachers Association secretary Maika Namudu said teachers should reduce grog consumption and stop drinking yaqona in schools. "This will keep their mentality sharp so they can teach properly," he said.

"When a person consumes too much yaqona their nervous system gets numb and this affects their alertness. "Hence we ask our teachers to review the way they consume yaqona." Mr Namudu said when a teacher is badly affected by grog consumption their productivity will drop and this will affect students under their charge
"It is not very professional when you see it from a practising teacher's point of view," he said.
"Yaqona should be taken at moderate levels - the best way is to do it during the weekend and stay alert throughout the week. People in rural areas should be aware that parents are watching that lowers the esteem of civil service in general."

Yet kava continues to be consumed in many hidden kitchens and classrooms of our government offices. It may be the reason for the low productivity that some officers are capable of. It may hold the key behind why Fijian students are lagging behind in their studies compared to their Indian counterparts.

Adapted from Fiitimes Online

MEET RONIL SINGH

2008-08-29T09:42:00.002+12:00

He loves village life. Staying among the villagers in Nadrau up in Nadarivatu is the best thing that has ever happened to him. Ronil Singh, a primary school teacher at Nadrau Fijian School never regretted being posted to the interior of Viti Levu.

In fact he wished it had come earlier on in life ahead of all the difficulties he faced. But he believes that it was the reward of all his hard work and sacrifice which he made earlier on. Life had not been fair for this 21-year-old who had dreamt of becoming a lawyer.

After graduating from high school with a gold medal he won for scoring the highest chemistry marks in FSLC in the Ba zone, he enrolled for the University of the South Pacific's Bachelor of Law degree.

While he was accepted to do that program, it was finance that mattered. Since his parents were ordinary sugar cane farmers in Naba Tolu, Ba, there was no chance of him being a private student

He banked on a scholarship, but that too evaded him. Ronil's only other option was to become a teacher. During his two years at the teacher's college, Ronil also worked part time at a freight company in Nadi at the weekend to sustain his wants.

"Whatever I earn from working at the weekend, was used for my LTC affairs," he said. After two years of teacher training, he finally became a primary school teacher. But he waited for 10 months to get his first posting. "When I was posted to Nadrau, I received that opportunity with both hands," he said.

"At first I didn't know where I was going, but I knew that was my calling so I had to go. Being away from home in an unknown environment, Ronil said was one of the biggest challenges in his life.

"I was there alone, I have to cook my own food and wash my own clothes. I felt so lonely I wanted to run away." But he realised that running away from reality was not what life was about. He stayed on and had to counter it. He said that what made life easy there was that he had basic necessities in his two bedroom house like water and electricity.

"The villagers are the owners of Monasavu so we have electricity up there," he said. "And we have television and mobile network there too." To reduce being homesick, he had approached a student to stay with him in quarters.

"So it's me and Voniani at home," he said. Ronil said that Voniani's parents had allowed their son to stay with him. "He helps me and I help with his school fees and other needs." "I thank his parents for realising my request and allowing us to stay together."

"He is a bright student and I feel that there is a need for me to nurture him so that he can be someone in life." Ronil loves his village life so much, he sometimes wishes that he remains there forever.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MEET THE FIRST HIBISUC QUEEN

2008-08-18T12:18:00.002+12:00

Her name will probably never cease in the history books of the Hibiscus Festival but if there is one thing Liebling Marlow has gained from it, it is a gut full of confidence.

The 70-year old has commented on the festival for the past 52 years and was still in a jovial mood to share a bit more about how the festival changed her life.

A resident of Pearce Home in Suva now, Liebling said the title of Miss Hibiscus or Fiji's first Miss Hibiscus never really mattered to her. She said after the festival, she joined her husband Herbert Marlow at the Fiji Visitors Bureau, meeting and greeting tourists who visited Fiji.

From that day she was actively involved in tourism and other Hibiscus festivals with her husband. "I don't know if it changed my life but I know that it gave me confidence. After the festival, I achieved so much and I became involved not only in tourism but in women's affairs.

"Back then the Hibiscus Festival was for two nights and there were 23 of us. The experience will always be a memorable one," she said.

Liebling was crowned the first Miss Hibiscus in 1956 and since then 45 other queens with the same stamina, poise and grace have followed suit to claim the same title at the annual event.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

UNTOUCHED PARADISE IN THE MAMANUCA'S

2008-08-13T10:28:00.002+12:00

BETANI Salusalu is somewhat of a celebrity in the stunning Mamanuca group of tropical islands. Every island he lands on sees staff provide him a homecoming welcome, not to mention a ready bed and breakfast.

It's a relationship that has taken several years in the making, but one which has become crucial to the future that resort and resource owners in these islands envision for themselves.

Salusalu is the coordinator of the Mamanuca Environment Society, a non-profit organisation formed in 2002 "to address environmental issues in the region and specifically work towards the betterment of the region's marine and terrestrial environment".

His work takes him across the spectacular chain of tropical islands scattered to the west of Fiji, visiting resorts, landowners and staff villages, with the chief goal being education and dialogue, along with environmental monitoring.

It's a role that was created by the resorts he visits, all of whom are members of the Mamanuca Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association (MFIHTA) which founded MES. On any given day Salusalu and his team could be either monitoring water quality, surveying a reef system, advising resorts how to manage liquid waste, teaching villagers about composting or talking to land owners about a fishing "tabu" or ban.

It all depends on the needs of a particular site or community. The waters and reef systems around the Mamanucas, Salusalu says, are like the lungs of the west. "We sit around a bay that receives a lot of the runoff from activities in the west of Viti Levu. So we are vulnerable to sedimentation and a lot of waste from human activity is flushed into the area".

With the tourism industry in the area heavily reliant on the spectacular natural beauty of the Mamanucas, it makes sense that owners, workers and visitors take a wholistic approach to environmental protection there. What's been even more fulfilling, Salusalu says, is the support that MES has received financially through sponsorships.

Over the weekend, ANZ Bank's Fiji head Robert Bell handed the group a $25,000 cheque to help continue the environmental work in the area. It's the third time the bank, which is the Gold Sponsor of the program, has provided financial support to the body.

Bell says a big part of the reason for their support is that MES is concerned with creating a better future for Fiji and that it has a lot to do with education - which over the long term should have a wider impact than just policing of environment issues.

"Businesses need to have a broader reach and this program is particularly important because it's about Fiji's future. I've been on Castaway Island for 35 minutes and 35 days of stress just washed away. It's an indication of what tourists to the area can expect, and the environment is a major part of that success formula," Bell says.

MES treasurer Ronnie Chang - who represents Pacific Island Air on the executive committee - says the support of corporates such as ANZ, and silver sponsors AON Risk Services, as well as members spread throughout the Mamanucas, keep the environment in focus.

Salusalu and his team - which includes project assistant Fesi Isimeli, project officer Diana Nagatalevu and volunteer Kenneth Cokanasiga - are kept busy all year round focusing on bettering the environment in the islands. They travel to four schools in the area providing children with the basics on coral reefs, coral biology and ecology, and teaching kids how to conduct basic reef surveys.

They carry out best practice training for watersports activities staff in resorts - providing theory and practical education designed to make staff more environmentally savvy. One ongoing initiative is the bid to eradicate the crown of thorns starfish from the area because it is a coral predator. These are removed from the waters in the area

Twice a year they also conduct water quality analysis from the Nadi Bay area through to Lautoka Wharf, testing for nitrates and phosphates that might encourage the deadly algal blooms that could devastate the Mamanuca ecology.

Their busy program includes turtle conservation, including educating villagers in the area about how to protect turtles and turtle nesting sites. The region has also had one turtle released into the wild which has been satellite tagged, allowing resorts to receive updates of her travels around Fiji and the region. One area of major importance considering the tourism focus of the region is maintaining the health of coral reefs, which are a magnet for spectacular diving and snorkelling.
Part of this process is a drive to restore giant clam populations in the area, because clams are helpful for the development of reef.

Salusalu says mini clam nurseries sites are present at Castaway Island, Tokoriki Reef, Elevuka Reef, Qalito House Reef, and Solevu village house reef. The group also facilitates a Reef Check program which sees 18 separate sites undergo regular checks through trained volunteers. Castaway Island Resort operations manager Steven Andrews says guests are increasingly keen to help preserve the "paradise" they have come to love.

One of the more successful initiatives has been Castaway's Kids Sea Camp where children are educated on the marine environment - and parents more often than not join in.

Environmental issues in the Mamanucas are increasingly recognised as being not just crucial for everyday business, but for the very survival of the way of life of people who live and visit there.
Integrating the two now with the support of industry-led initiatives such as MES means paradise can remain uninterrupted for generations to come.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

JOSAIA TEMO A FIGHTER

2008-08-05T09:24:00.002+12:00

A NINE-year-old boy who partially lost his sight because of his fight with cancer is pleading with donors to assist him so that he can go overseas for treatment.

When most boys his age go to school and play with their friends, Josaia Temo, from Lakeba in Lau, has to stay indoors because of his condition.

Josaia suffers from genetic skin cancer and the disease has infected his left eye and caused partial blindness. He has lived with his grandmother ever since he was born and now 70 years of age, she continues to look after him.

When The Fiji Times visited Josaia and his grandmother Litiana Moce at their host's Raiwaqa home in Suva yesterday, he was lying on a mattress with his forehead and eyes heavily bandaged. Mereoni Taginadavui, a volunteer with the Fiji Cancer Society, said she was taking care of Josaia and helping with his condition.

Ms Taginadavui, a cancer survivor, said despite his serious condition, Josaia is full of life and loves to sing and pray. "We first found out about his case when we went to visit some of the rural islands to meet cancer patients and we found Josaia with his grandmother," she said.

Ms Taginadavui said Josaia was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 but they had lost contact when his grandmother had moved to the village.

"We are thankful to Project Heaven who were able to relocate Josaia during their trips to the island. His grandmother had brought him to the project for his eye infection," she said. She said Josaia has two big sores on his head and his eye infection but they were glad that his condition was improving.

"He was released from hospital one week ago and since we do not have any hospice, we were very glad when Alumita Cokanavula agreed to provide one bedroom in her house for Josaia and his grandmother to stay in,' she said. Speaking in Fijian and with tears in her eyes, his grandmother Ms Moce said she was the only family Josaia had and she had been taking care of him all these years. But she said with her advanced age it had become hard for her and she said she was thankful to all those who were helping them.

Ms Taginadavui said Save the Children Fiji, Fiji Cancer Society and Project Heaven were working to get people to donate money and medicial items to help Josaia. She said the money collected by Save the Children and Fiji Cancer Society would be used for Josaia's travel cost and treatment in New Zealand.

"Josaia is like any other nine-year-old boy and when he is not in pain, he will sing and talk to us. The only time he is in pain is when his bandages are changed and his sores are cleaned and it is very heart-wrenching to see him that way,' she said.

Those who wish to make a donation to help with Josaia's overseas treatment can do so by depositing into the Fiji Cancer Society Sashi Goundan Account.

Adpted from Fijitimes Online

MOSESE RAULUNI AND DAUGHTER ISABELLA

2008-06-25T10:39:00.001+12:00

WHEN Flying Fijians skipper Mosese Rauluni runs onto Ballymore Oval for the Pacific Nations Cup match against Australia A on Sunday, it will be a defining moment in his rugby career which is four years into a new decade.
For the Qarani patriot from Gau island whose family resides in Brisbane, Queensland but plays his trade for Saracens Rugby Club in England, the priorities in life will have to change.
His reaction after spending time off rugby to be with his family has revealed he has found new love in daughter Isabella and the passion for the oval ball will be second.
So the PNC match against Australia A will be his last for the year in the Fiji number nine jersey.
To go by his words (not the first time) it could turn out to be his last competitive international match for the country.
He will not feature against Tonga in the last PNC game next week but he is determined to create history by becoming the first skipper to lead Fiji to victory over Australia A.
It will be special for Rauluni, who was brought up and learned his footy in Brisbane. The city is home for the Raulunis and he has a special bond with Ballymore Oval.
Then there is an inevitable tide of change when he turns 33 on Friday.
A win against the hosts would be a perfect belated gift for the 42-Test veteran. Last year he led Fiji to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup -the first time since the inaugural event in 1987.
Rauluni played for the Australia under-19 in 1993 and 1994.
He debuted for Fiji against New Zealand Maori in 1996 and has been a regular since then.
At the 1999 RWC he was reserve to elder brother Jacob the number one Fiji halfback.
In the 2003 RWC, he played in all four of Fiji's pool matches.
Rauluni went on both Pacific Islanders tours in 2004 and 2006.
After an outstanding performance at last year's RWC, Rauluni was named the Player of the Year' at the 2007 Fiji Rugby Awards.
With nothing decided yet for 2009, Rauluni said he wasn't getting any younger and had to give it another 100 per cent in his last match of the year in the White jumper with the coconut emblem.
"We need to start building depth in the halfback position," Rauluni said. "It is time to give the other guys a break, especially those who will carry the flag in the future."
He said while there was no concrete decision on which direction his career would follow, it was imperative he wasn't selfish.
"It's important I try to get a bit of rest because I have played a lot of rugby not getting any younger," he said.
Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua said Rauluni was a key mover who led and played with a real warrior attitude every time he was on the pitch.
The two played together in the 1999 RWC.
"He is a great asset and motivates his players and they feel a different vibe and energy with him around," Tabua said.
"But we have to understand he needs his break as well and there are younger guys coming through."
Rauluni has never played against Australia A and would want to make the match a memorable one.
"It will be tough and we will have to be prepared," Rauluni said.
"But the players know that they can do it."

ADAPTED FROM FIJTIMES ONLINE

LEVUKA'S PLACE IN HISTORY

2008-06-24T22:39:00.002+12:00

Levuka will always have a special place in the history of Fiji. Not only was Levuka the country's first capital, it was the starting point for commercial trading and life in general. In fact, most people would agree if it was not for the existence of the Old Capital, Fiji would not be where it is today.
Before the seat of Government was transferred to Suva in 1881, Levuka was under the de facto reign of Ratu Seru Cakobau, self proclaimed King of Fiji. From early days of settlement to the first colonial administration, Levuka possessed evidence of early civilisation and modernisation.
Located on the island of Ovalau, Levuka is renowned as the historical site where Fiji was ceded to Britain on October 10, 1874. An initial proposal to cede Fiji was denied some 20 years before that. From the date of cession onwards, the year 1874 has been held in high regard.
However, 134 years later Levuka is once again rewriting the history books on Fiji's official Deed of Cession documents. On June 6, 2008, original Fijian translations of the Deed of Cession were discovered and given to the National Archives for safekeeping and sustainability.
The re-enactment of another Deed of Cession handover at Nasova was a significant event for Fiji despite the occasion seemingly kept low profile. The official document was handed over to Government archivist Setareki Tale by the Tui Levuka. The auspicious ceremony was attended by Government officials from the Ministry of Information, Department of Culture and Heritage as well as members of the Lomaiviti Provincial Administration.
Handover
While many would be familiar with the existence of the English Deed of Cession document at the National Archives, the recent discovery of the Fijian translation has opened up airways to more historical findings in the town.
For the late Tui Levuka Ratu Kolinio Rokotuinaceva, the handover ceremony was an important event. He said although this was a document Levuka was proud to maintain, it would be in safe hands in terms of its preservation. The handover was probably the last public appearance by the Tui Levuka before his untimely death on Monday.
After the framed documents were given to government chief archivist Setareki Tale, provincial administrator Jese Veibuli spoke on the need to sustain important documents that entail the history of our country.
However, details of how the document went unnoticed for more than a century is anyone's guess.
Mr Veibuli has been in office for the past four months. He said the document had been hanging in the PA's office and no one realised it was the original.
"Nobody knows how it ended up there and how it went unnoticed for 134 years. It has been hanging in the district office for a very long time. When I was an internal auditor, I had seen and read parts of the document. Some of the translations were a bit vague and I was trying to find out what the interpreter, David Wilkinson was trying to say.
"We asked a typist to type out as best she can what was written. However, when one reads the document then one can fully understand what it was about. This is a very important document. In fact, back then it was not easy to get the consent of all the chiefs in Fiji to sign the Deed of Cession."
Mr Veibuli said there were a lot of disagreements between the chiefs but as a result of the Fijian translation of the Deed of Cession, they reached an agreement. He said the consensus was also reached as a result of the continuous prayers of the talatala and reverends. Mr Veibuli said this was a fact that was unknown.
"The Deed of Cession was made possible through the intervention and prayers of the people of God. At the time there was a lot of friction and differences amongst the people and these talatala were interceding for a peaceful nation through their prayers.
"Apart from that, the Fijian translations were not fluent or grammatically correct but Mr Wilkinson was able to get the message across. His translations were almost word for word but the chiefs understood the meaning of the translation. This is a very significant document that must be safeguarded for the next generation."
Although he was proud to be part of the event, Mr Veibuli said the documents were in good hands. He said the documents were a part of Levuka and to see it leave the island was a sad moment. Nevertheless, Mr Veibuli said, this was not the last historical find on the island as the possibility of another imperative find in Levuka was endless.
"The handover ceremony is a historical occasion for Levuka. One century and 34 years ago on this site, the 13 chiefs of Fiji agreed to cede the country to Britain because of this translation that was read to them. It is a part of Levuka. There was a petition sent to the office where people disagreed with the transfer of the document.
"Unfortunately, it is a requirement by law that such documents of national benefit and importance be kept at the national archives or the museum. Although we would like it to stay in Levuka, we know we are leaving it in good hands," he said.
Discovery
The exact date when the document was placed in the provincial administrator's office is still an unknown fact. The people who would have had answers to the many questions about the Fijian translation of the Deed of Cession have carried that vital information to their graves. These notable people are former district officers and commissioners.
However, without dwelling too much on the past, the important aspect now is to note the events that led to the discovery of the transcripts.
Government chief archivist Setareki Tale said the first mention of the document came from an Australian volunteer Derek Cleyland who noticed the document hanging on the wall in the provincial administrator's office while in Levuka.
Mr Tale was on the next available boat to Levuka to find out whether or not this was the original Fijian translation of the Deed of Cession. He was able to cross check his findings with a copy of the same translation kept at the National Archives in the United Kingdom.
"There was this atmosphere of excitement at this perceived lost historical document. On the English document of the Deed of Cession, there is an attestation or a note by Wilkinson stating an attachment to the document. So at the moment, the English version is only half of the Deed of Cession. This may as well be the other half or the other attachment as indicated by the attestation to the English version.
"There were two English documents for the signing of cession so there is a possibility there are two attachments or two Fijian translations. One English document went back to Britain, the other was kept in Fiji. However, the English version in Fiji was sent to London in 1937 for restoration. It is still kept there. In 1946, a correspondence was received from Britain stating a copy of the Fijian translation. I am not sure if this copy is legalised or promulgated, a regulation to determine when it was sealed."
Mr Tale said the next step would be to determine the accuracy in translation between the English and Fijian version. He said the original transcripts were very old and had to be restored and repaired for sustainability. Mr Tale said under the Public Records legislations, it was a legal requirement that historical documents or findings be kept at the national archives or museum. In the meantime, Mr Tale said investigations into another possible historical document would take place.
"These documents are of national importance and information on it should be made available for the public. We might investigate whether or not another document which is the supposedly first written proposal for cession is original. As far as we know, the first proposal or request to cede Fiji was turned down and this was in 1854.
"This new development is significant especially highlighting a time when Fiji was going through rough times especially with the collapse of the cotton industry and resistance to tax payments," he said.
Mr Tale added preliminary discussions have been held with the UNESCO to formulate a committee that promotes culture and heritage as well as facilitate accessibility to information of important documents.
Culture and heritage
With Levuka Town still functioning with its commercial centres, the call for more public awareness on maintaining one's culture and heritage is pivotal. Department of culture and heritage director Peni Cavuilagi said the town will always be an important chapter of the country's history.
He said while the Fijian translation of the Deed of Cession is something Levuka is proud of, the message behind its unnoticed existence for 134 years is for more preservation of historical artifacts, culture and heritage.
"It was through Derek Cleyland and a local staff from our department that the document was highlighted. It has been there for many years and even then people did not realise its value and importance. This is very important for Levuka. However, there is a need to change local perception on the issue of culture and heritage.
"We need to convince people to preserve and conserve this part of their lives. This is what defines their identity. We have also been trying to convince members at the provincial council meeting to establish a sub committee on culture and heritage. There are far more significant documents and sights that are not yet seen."
He said the department has a program called Heritage on Young Hands and while the idea of stressing the need for cultural and heritage preservation, Government endorsement is needed.
"Most people have expressed concern about the loss of culture and heritage. We are planning to list Levuka as a World Heritage site. We are grateful to Government for the funding we have received so far which is an allocated budget of $300, 000 for this year," he said.

ADAPTED FROM FIJITIMES ONLINE

COCA COLA 2008 GAMES BEGINS!

2008-04-25T11:08:00.002+12:00

FORMER stars of the Coca-Cola Light Games believe the games shape the character of athletes and prepares them for their future careers.
Commissioner Northern Colonel Inia Seruiratu, a senior boys 200m national sprints champ for Ratu Kadavulevu School in 1983, said confidence "is what you get when you prepare well physically and spiritually for these games".
Seruiratu's 4X100m senior boys relay team won the event that year and RKS won the games.
Former national school girls sprint champion and Islands Business International editor Laisa Taga said the games taught her how to be competitive and work hard for her goals.
"You can't rely on others, you've got to be the best in what you do, and be disciplined."
Former Marist sprinter and shot put thrower Samuela Loiti said the games strengthen the character in a person's life.
About 3000 athletes from 142 schools around the country have converged on Suva for the start of the two-day games at the National Stadium today.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

EMELE DUITUTURAGA and ANARE JALE ties the knot

2008-04-20T13:26:00.002+12:00

TWO former government chief executives tied the knot at the Centenary Church in Suva yesterday in front of about 300 relatives and guests.
Former Public Service Commission chief executive officer, Anare Jale married former Social Welfare CEO, Emele Duituturaga.
Ms Duituturaga wore a two-piece white satin and lace bridal wear and her.
She could not contain her happiness when she entered the church with her father, Pita Duituturaga who gave her away. They arrived in a white Mercedes Benz.
About 12 young girls in pink silk dresses led the bridal procession, before Ms Duituturaga and her father entered the church.
Not even the wet Suva weather dampened spritis with guests coming in their best suits and colourful dresses.
Mr Jale was wearing a two-piece black suit while his four best men wore a blue silk shirts embroided with magimagi (sinnet).
Former President of the Methodist Church, Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi presided over the wedding ceremony.
Guests present at the church included former Vice President Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, Naitasiri paramount chief Ratu Inoke Takiveikata and his wife Adi Lagamu.
Also among the guests were former Finance Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and his wife; Health Minister Permanent Secretary Doctor Lepani Waqatakirewa, former Transport and Civil Aviation chief executive Vuetasau Buatoka and businesswoman Mere Samisoni.
Mr Jale hails from Ono in Lau, while Ms Duituturaga is from Moala.
The reception was held at Tradewinds last night.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

HELICOPTER CRASH IN LAMI, SUVA

2008-04-13T07:21:00.002+12:00

HEAVY rain experienced around the country over the past few days have been blamed for a death, a helicopter crash and landslides.
Dead is 61-year-old Alekesio Nawaqavou, a dalo farmer of Kicukicu settlement in Cakaudrove who was swept away in currents caused by heavy rain.
Tim Gibson escaped with minor injuries after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into the sea off Uduya Point in Lami yesterday and a family was forced to leave their home following a landslide.
The helicopter that crashed about 7.10am is owned by Island Choppers.
Acting police spokesman Corporal Joe Weicavu blamed bad weather conditions for the crash. He said Mr Gibson received cuts and bruises and after medical examination was sent home to rest.
Cpl Weicavu said Mr Gibson would be interviewed later.
Island Choppers managing director, Stephen Green said two helicopters were travelling from Nadi to Nausori, on their way to Fulaga in the Lau Group.
He said Mr Gibson, 45, was flying the first helicopter alone while his colleague Robbie McKenzie was on another with five other passengers travelling to Fulaga.
Mr Green said after leaving Nadi the pilots spoke with the Nausori control centre which informed them of the sudden change in weather conditions. He said they were hoping to make a safe landing when Mr Gibson's helicopter crashed into the sea.
Mr Green said the $2 million helicopter was a write off.
He said Mr McKenzie picked up his colleague and they all returned to Nadi.
Mr Green said Namaka police interviewed Mr McKenzie while Mr Gibson had not been interviewed.
He said Mr Gibson was checked by a doctor and sent home. Mr Green said Mr Gibson who hails from New Zealand has twenty years experience as a pilot.
Attempts to contact Mr Gibson were unsuccessful yesterday. Mr Green said his company had three helicopters prior to the accident, which was used for the purpose of passenger transfers to the Mamanucas.
Meanwhile, the Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad yesterday said people must expect flash floods as a result of the current weather situations.
He said there was a trough of low pressure with associated cloud and rain bands that remained slow moving over the group.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

COCOA PRODUCTION REVIVED IN FIJI

2007-12-17T11:30:00.000+13:00

IT is a small fruit signified on the top end of our national flag and this fruit is customarily used as an essential ingredient that brought chocolates all around the world to life.

For decades this unique fruit has been in Fiji and the people of Namau Village in Naloto, Tailevu are trying to make the best use of it. Better known to them as Fiji's chocolate, cocoa farmers at Namau are on the verge of producing their own organic and pure cocoa products in the country.

Ultimately, they want to build Fiji's first chocolate factory, and thus be the first to make an truly original chocolate that Fiji can call it sown. The village is situated at about 60 feet above sea level, off Lodoni Road on a hill. It is part of the mataqali Navukuta with a population of about 158 people.

The twenty-three families that live in Namau depend essentially on the somewhat 18,000 cocoa trees that surround the village. These families work under the careful guidance of farm manager, Tevita Niumou_ a family man who has spent half of his life babysitting these green treasures.

Tevita says elders of the villager started cocoa farming in the 1960s and taught young youths the importance of the cocoa fruit. "I left high school in 1978 and began working with my father who showed me everything there is to know about the cocoa fruit," he said. Tevita's big dreams for his family and the whole village rests on the cocoa trees.

"Every household in the village has land breeding thousands of cocoa trees; it's our main source of income," said the 46-year-old. He said the village was recently visited by a couple from Sweden who recognised a cocoa fruit pictured on the national flag. He said the couple had inquired with the Ministry of Agriculture looking for the location of a cocoa farm and later found themselves at Tevita's front door.

"It was unbelievable when I later found out the tourists owned a chocolate factory in Sweden and were interested in our cocoa produce," said Tevita. "I gave them a tour around the farm and demonstrated our way of processing cocoa beans," he said.

He said the couple were amazed with the old system used by farmers and offered to donate machines that could extract cocoa liquid for the production of chocolates. Tevita says bumping into the couple from Sweden was sheer luck and it was even more interesting that the Fiji flag was the root cause of it.

He said the project to build a factory in Korovou has the full support of the Tailevu Provincial Council. At a recent meeting, council chairman Josefa Serulagilagi who is also the chairman for the Tailevu Cocoa Growers and Producers Association, said the couple were from the Cocoa Bello of Sweden organisation and had advised villagers not to sell cocoa seeds but to make chocolates here in Fiji.

Mr Serulagilagi said Tailevu cocoa businesses have been running for the past 20 years and the couple's guidance was of great assistance to the Tailevu framers. He said the couple sent experts after returning to Sweden to conduct a two-week training workshop at Namau and also invited eight participants including himself to Sweden for a two-week educational tour.

The objective, he said, was to see and learn how the finest chocolates in the world were produced and to expand their knowledge about manufacturing chocolates. Mr Serulagilagi said the trip was sponsored by Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

He said there was even an organisation in Sweden that was willing to fund the establishment of the fist ever chocolate factory at Korovou town.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com

MEET BRIJ LAL (PROFESSOR)

2007-12-13T13:11:00.000+13:00

Times: What inspired you to write about issues regarding Fiji Indians?
Professor Lal: I wish I knew; for the creative process is mad, full of inexplicable twists and turns. Mysterious even. I suppose it is a desire to make sense of things. I don't quite know what I think, what I have experienced unless I imagine it in words. I feel unfulfilled if I don't write. I feel something vital is missing from my life if I don't read and write. It is an addiction. But there is another reason. The world which formed me, the self-contained, self-sufficient rural lifestyle, is slowly disappearing as people leave the village and as modernity laps its outer-edges. I want to be a witness to that world which was once so important for me but of which I am no longer a part. There is very little written about the village world; the fears and hopes of the rural folks, so you have to recreate that vanishing world through imaginative reconstruction. We hear a lot about the movers and shakers of the world, the politicians and the bureaucrats, but little about 'little people' who lie beyond the range of official statistics, beyond official recognition: the housewives, the lovers, the workers and primary school teachers; those who have lost out on life. I want to capture some of the inner lived experience of their lives.

Times: What are some of the difficulties faced by Fiji Indians in terms of identity here, in their motherland (India) or when they migrate to other parts of the world?
Prof. Lal: I think you become conscious of your unique identity when you step outside your own cultural world. You realise how Fijian you really are when you live in another culture, among other people. Your language, your sense of humour, your food, as well as habits are different, unique. As the years advance, you suddenly realise how important your place is in your life, how deep childhood memories are. I cannot make sense of my life without my Fijian

identity.

Times: How is that a problem?
Prof. Lal: In this country, we are called Indians, but when you meet the real Indians, you suddenly realise how un-Indian you really are in your habits of thought and behaviour. The Indian world of horoscope and hierarchy, the obsession with protocol and ritual, of one's proper place in the order of things, means very little to you. Self-made that we are, we are impatient with things set in concrete, with restrictive tradition. I have met Indians from the Caribbean, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Singapore and Malaysia. One thing we all have in common is our unique identity. We have an affinity for the 'cultural India', not the 'political India'. We have more in common with each other than with Indians from India. In fact, there is a kind of tension which animates our relationship. I don't have any of that with people from the Pacific Islands.

Times: Have attachments to Fiji changed?
Prof. Lal: Our attachment to Fiji is a function of generational change. I was born and educated here. I am a part of its history and culture. Its landscape moves me: the feel of warm rain on freshly mowed lawn, the smell of burning cane, and the swollen brown rivers. Fiji will always remain my spiritual and emotional home. I am not sure that it will be so for my children who have been formed by other influences and who have spent virtually all their lives in other cultures. They don't necessarily share my passion or obsession with Fiji though they honour it. They are, in a sense, citizens of the world.

Times: What feelings do Indians have when they are forced to leave because of political upheavals and land lease expiry?
Prof. Lal: People leave Fiji for a variety of reasons. Many feel uprooted and unwanted, trapped and terrorised. Many leave because they are fed up with uncertainty and diminishing opportunities for themselves and their children. But the emotional bonds linger, especially for the first generation; the umbilical chord is impossible to break. They keep in touch with developments in Fiji through a variety of ways. Travel and technology have revolutionised notions of attachment and citizenship. It is no longer a case of either/or; attachment to a country cannot be measured by a piece of paper. It is a commitment of the heart and the mind that matters.

Times: You grew up in the village but people like you managed to be immensely knowledgeable about the wider world probably more than most children today. Tell me a little about that life that you exposed in the book Turnings Fiji Factions.

Prof. Lal: The world which formed me has vanished. I grew up without paved roads, and running water, without electricity. Both my parents were illiterate. I was the first one in my family ever to complete high school and go on to university. There was no counselling about careers. There was no television, radio was new, there was no Internet, no iPods, and no mobile phones. It was, in some ways, the dark ages. Yet, people of my generation from that kind of background have travelled places, made something of themselves. We were from the village but were immensely knowledgeable about the world. There was a hunger to know more. I really am not sure if that is the case today. We had teachers who took their profession seriously, not as a stepping stone to another career. Our pursuit for excellence was driven by desperation. There was nothing to return to if we failed. There was no safety net, no one to lean on for assistance. So we strove hard and burned the midnight lamp to be successful today.

Adapted from the Fijitimes.com

MEET DIONISIA OF TOKOU, OVALAU, SHE REGAINED HER SIGHT!

2007-12-07T08:49:00.000+13:00

AFTER nine years of darkness, 68-year-old Dionisia Yagose can see thanks to a team of specialists who removed her eye cataract for free.
Mrs Yagose of Tokou Village on Ovalau could not stop crying as she was overwhelmed at seeing her grandson for the first time.
It was wonderful to see my one-year-old grandson, she said.
I was blind for nine years and I see this as a new lease of life.
Mrs Yagoses blindness was caused by a cataract.
I never thought Id see again. Im very happy and thank God for working through the doctors to make me see.
I was so happy after the surgery I cried and cried.
Her nephew Inoke Vuivuwa, 44, thanked the doctors and nurses for giving his aunt her sight back.
We were so happy and could not believe it when she returned last Friday, he said.
We called all the family and had a feast to celebrate. Mr Vuivuwa said Christmas would be wonderful for them.
This is an early Christmas for everyone. We spent nine years guiding her and now shes walking around on her own.
She knew people by their names and voice only. The day she came out of the hospital she kept asking whos this, whos that, when she met someone.
Pacific Eye Institute director Doctor John Seeto said Mrs Yagoses condition was related to age.
Everyone who reaches that age will suffer from cataract, he said.
She was totally blind, incapacitated. Cataract is one of the main causes of blindness.
Mrs Yagose was among 400 people on Ovalau who benefited from the Fred Hollows Foundation team of ophthalmologists led by Dr John Szetu.
The team was able to restore the eyesight of 40 people.
Foundations executive director Carmel Williams says there is a severe shortage of eyecare professionals in the Pacific which must be remedied in order to reduce blindness. More than 80,000 people are blind in the Pacific Islands.
In Fiji there is a backlog of about 6000 cases needing surgery.
This will continue to grow by about 800 new cases each year, unless we have more eye doctors and nurses available in the country.
Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Family seeks compensation

2007-11-30T22:03:00.000+13:00

A man who lost eight fingers while working on a fishing vessel 10 years ago is still waiting for the compensation which was awarded him last year.
Josaia Cama was 20 years old when he found employment on a fishing vessel belonging to Kim Sung Soo and went on a year-long fishing trip to Japan in 1998.
His wife Virisila Wati said Mr Cama was working throughout the night in the freezer in the ship's hold in 1998 when his fingers went numb from the cold.
She said her husband's supervisors soaked his fingers in warm water and wrapped them in woolen gloves to keep them warm.
When the ship returned to Fiji, Mr Cama was admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. The hospital amputated his eight fingers in December that year.
Ms Wati said after that, he would collect $55 as wages from the ship's office every fortnight but it stopped after the 2000 coup.
She said he then started court proceedings against the shipping company after they refused to compensate him.
Ms Wati said last year, Mr Cama was awarded $24,000 in compensation but has not received anything so far.
She said he had gone to the Ministry of Labour and other places without success.
Attempts to get comments from Mr Soo, the Labour Ministry's director for Occupational Health and Safety Standards, Osea Cawaru and Mr Cama's lawyer Suresh Chandra, were all unsuccessful.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Saga nurtures his 36 sons

2007-11-27T12:44:00.000+13:00

Saga Dewan is a man who knows how hard the lives of some young people can be. But that has only strengthened his belief that the youth of today are leaders of tomorrow.

It is why he believes in the importance of developing our children right, of ensuring that they grow holistically to become good citizens and leaders.

It is easier said than done given the increasing distractions and issues, like unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and drugs that mark today's civilisation.

Many of our young people have become victims of these ills. Many have found themselves on the streets through no fault of theirs. While some have found the strength to find a way out of their entrapment, there are many who continue to live on our streets.

Saga knows only too well. That's because he is in daily contact with them, trying to give them hope and inspire them to believe that there is still a chance to better their lives. As the principal of the Chevalier Training Centre, at Wainadoi, located only a few kilometres from the capital city, Mr Dewan has worked successfully with many youths who had gone astray.

The 37-year-old man of slender built calls himself a kai Wainikoro because he was born and bred on Vanua Levu. He lives with his wife and a child in the school compound. While he may be the biological father of his little one, he is father to the 36 young boys who call the centre home.

"Most of these young boys have either been left in the dark by their families, pushed out by society or have deliberately left home because of unbearable circumstances," he said. "Most have at one time in their lives been on the streets or have lived with friends in their respective societies.

"One thing is common in all these boys and that is that they have been victims of the great challenges that youths face today," he said. The youngest ward at the centre is 15 years old and the oldest is almost 19. "These boys are from all the 14 provinces in Fiji and we have quite a multi-racial lot in training," he said.

Mr Dewan said most of the boys were brought in because they felt that they could not make any positive change and contribution to their respective communities. "When they are brought in they are taught life skills. Some of them do not even know they have talents in those particular fields," he said.

"They are taught metal work, wood work, mechanical training, building, agriculture, English and maths." There's a class that teaches values, principles and the benefits of having a positive mental attitude. He said the biggest challenge was trying to convince every student that every cloud had a silver lining.

"I always tell them that no matter how low people think of you or how low your self-esteem there is always a place where each individual will be good at," he said.

"Not only do I have to talk to them constantly I have to help them and guide them in every little thing they do so that they know that even without their immediate family members we are there for them.

"In fact, we are a family and families look after each other through thick and thin," he said. Despite all the challenges Mr Dewan said he was always beside his sons to see them through as they transited from being a boy to a young man who could stand on his own feet in society.

"It always warms my heart and bring tears to me and the seven other staff members here to see one of our students being able to find a secure job and get a steady income," he said. Mr Dewan said students who graduated from the centre always returned there on special occasions not only to visit but to motivate their younger brothers.

"While working for such institutions is a great challenge I do enjoy it because I know that I am playing a part in trying to better someone's life to leave the world better than they have found it," he said

Adapated from the Fijitimes.com November 27th, 2007

NATIONAL Arts Exhibition in Suva, Fiji

2007-11-21T07:34:00.001+13:00

More than 100 artists are showcasing their favoured creations at the annual Fosters Group Pacific Limited-sponsored National Art Exhibition which opened yesterday.
The week-long exhibition at the Ratu Iloilovatu Gallery housed at the Fiji Institute of Technology's School of Arts, Culture and Design in Raiwai is a Fiji Arts Council initiative to promote the work of local artists.
Council Director Letila Mitchell said the response from artists this year was overwhelming.
"Our youngest exhibitor is about 17 while the oldest is in his 70s," she said.
"So there should be real wide variety of art work to view and enjoy during the exhibition."
Pieces of FIT's art students are also part of the exhibition, which is open from 9am to 6pm until Saturday.
Apolosi Bolatu, a local artist, said he was excited and proud to have his work showcased alongside reputed artists.
The first-year art student said he also relished the opportunity to talk to those who appreciate art and wish to purchase their work.
Renowned artist Craig Marlow said it was great to note that more young people were entering the field with great ambitions.
"I hope that this trend would continue as it brings out the hidden talents within our youths," he said.
Ms Mitchell commended the Foster's Group Pacific Limited for being the major sponsor of the exhibition since it began in 1975.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

HEART TO HEART FROM GOLD COAST

2007-11-15T07:51:00.000+13:00

Spurred by a new Pacific Island exchange program, a team of Gold Coast cardiac surgeons is saving Fijian lives. Peter Gleeson reports. HEART surgeon Doctor Shailesh Khatri has just performed his eighth angioplasty procedure for the day and is about to sit and relax with a cup of tea for the first time in nine hours.

Then the sound of wailing sirens and the unmistakable blaring of an ambulance tells him that his long day may not yet be over. It is Monday this week and sure enough, the patient being wheeled into John Flynn's coronary care unit is having a cardiac arrest.

The 41-year-old has collapsed at the wheel while driving, luckily just a few kilometres from the hospital. As paramedics defibrillate the victim, Dr Khatri gets to work, pumping a special dye into the man's heart in preparation for an angiogram, which immediately reveals a blockage in the patient's major cardiac artery.

Within 15 minutes, Dr Khatri has performed angioplasty surgery, a procedure where a balloon is inserted into the artery, effectively blowing out the plaque which caused the blockage. A stent was then placed into the damaged arterial canal to keep it open.

This was life-saving stuff but all in a day's work for the Fijian-born and Australian-educated Dr Khatri. "I guess you could say I get a lot of job satisfaction,'' said Dr Khatri, who had literally saved this young man's life.

"He will be okay. "He is a heavy smoker. "I don't think he will smoke any more. "I hope not anyway.''

John Flynn Hospital has one of Queensland's best and busiest cardiac units, led by eminent cardiologists Dr Ian Linton and Dr David Cody, supported by Dr Khatri, and they have just embarked upon a project aimed at helping cut the Fijian cardiac mortality rate.

"The mortality rate in Fiji from heart disease is among the highest in the world,'' said Dr Linton, the program's brainchild. "I think there's some genetics there and maybe the more modern lifestyle and foodstuffs, not as much fish in their diet, those sort of things.

"We've been working for more than two years on the project and it is a labour of love for myself and Dr Khatri.'' Dr Linton said he had visited Fiji many times and had 'fallen in love with the people'.

"I got to thinking that in Australia we have these great facilities, we can deal with coronary disease issues and give people longevity, but in Fiji they just don't have that luxury and a lot of people die prematurely,'' he said. Dr Khatri was raised in Fiji before moving to Australia to do his medical degree in Queensland, specialising in cardiac surgery.

He has an affinity with his homeland and when Dr Linton told him of his plans, Dr Khatri was enthusiastic and keen to be involved.

The project, which started last month and was announced by the Fiji Government, delivers the equipment and training for diagnostic services in Suva. The services include coronary angiography, which is the X-ray imaging of the arteries in the heart.

These tests are readily available in Australia, and John Flynn does 2500 a year, but until now they have been beyond the reach of people on Pacific Islands. Fiji's interim Health Minister, Dr Jona Senilagakali, described the establishment of the unit as a major step forward for health care in the country.

John Flynn Hospital has supported the project by helping to provide treatment for Fijians suffering serious heart disease. One of the first patients to undergo an angiogram in Fiji had life-threatening blockages in major coronary arteries.

He was rushed to John Flynn Hospital last week and underwent successful bypass surgery. This week, two other Fijian patients underwent angioplasty, where the narrowed arteries are opened with stents. Much of Fiji's heart-disease problem relates to the increase in animal fats in their diet and the availability of tobacco since World War II.

Associate Professor Rod Jackson, of the University of Auckland, said while western countries were becoming more conscious about eating and smoking habits, the South Pacific Islands were going the other way.

"The result is that while we're conquering heart attacks and strokes, the Pacific Islanders are suffering more,'' said Prof Jackson. In Australia and New Zealand, diets and smoking habits had changed dramatically, said Prof Jackson.

"The major cause of coronary heart disease is eating too much animal fat and smoking. "We are dumping the cheaper cuts of meat, with more fat, on the South Pacific nations. We are doing it with butter as well. "What they need to do is rediscover their local foods and realise that foods being imported from Australia and New Zealand are not good for them.''

For the John Flynn team, education is all part of the process and it will tutor more Fijian doctors on how to perform angiograms, and ultimately, angioplasty. Dr Linton said the ultimate goal was to have a well-established clinic in Suva with trained medics, skilled enough to perform life-saving coronary procedures.

"That is the goal, the aim, and we believe we can school the local doctors into being able to treat people with life-threatening cardiac diseases," he said.

"Right now, they have nothing. It costs $45,000 to send a patient to Australia for bypass operation and that is simply not an option for a poor country such as Fiji.'' There are other charitable organisations in Suva to tackle the problem of coronary heart disease in Fiji, including the establishment of a special foundation, comprising local and New Zealand business professionals.

The Friends of Fiji Heart Foundation aims to send to Fiji medical teams comprising cardiac surgeons, technicians and complex and expensive equipment required to perform bypass surgeries on patients suffering particularly from valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease includes the condition commonly known as 'hole in the heart'. This month the foundation sent its first 25-person medical team with equipment and supplies to Fiji, led by Dr Vinod Singh, a consulting physician and trustee.

The team included two cardiac surgeons, three cardiac anaesthetists/intensivists, a cardiologist, technicians and 11 intensive care and clinical care nurses.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 15th, 2007

MASSIVE MUSICAL TALENT IN FIJI

2007-11-13T23:02:00.000+13:00

YOUNG people in Fiji have great talent in the musical world but because many take for granted such talents, success in their music careers only reaches a certain stage, and most fail to pursue this.

It has also been suggested that lack of support from society has contributed to the non-development of young talents and community members need to form groups, including church groups, to help the youths of Fiji develop their singing skills and show the world the unique talents, particularly traditional music that still exist in our society.

Samoan musician and coordinator of the Malaga Group, a well known University of the South Pacific musical group, Igelese Ete spoke to Serafina Silaitoga at the Savusavu Music Festival about the talents that exist in Fiji and what the community can do to make the world recognise the potential among young people.

Times: When did you come to Fiji?
Ete: I came last year in January to teach at the University of the South Pacific, becoming a senior lecturer in music.

Times: What do you think about the talent among young people in the musical world?
Ete: I think it's like the talent in rugby that we see here in Fiji. The natural talents are here and once exposed to development will enable the young people and upcoming singers to become better with their skills and as a result they can sing anywhere in the world. Not only with music but with dance as well. We Pacific islanders are known for these talents and I see a lot of it here in Fiji.

Times: Have you visited members of the community including those in villages to hold consultations on what they can do to develop such talent?
Ete: I have visited villages and seen great talents. I also notice that most of them are in church group choirs and that's where they sing and that is also where their talents in music is developed. Some even join other groups outside the church boundary, singing in bands in nightclubs or hotels and this is also good because it helps develop talent.

Times: What are some obstacles you see that have hindered such talents from being recognised in Fiji?
Ete: The main hindrance would be the non-existence of groups in society that youths can join to help develop their music talents. What I have seen is the lack of support for the young people who want to develop their music talents with the unavailability of groups that will attract the young people or have the type of music that young people enjoy because that will help develop their talents and skills of singing. There are hardly any organisations around that are relevant to young people. There may be some groups in society but the music involved is not relevant to young people and that's why young people don't want to join them. I don't blame them. There are some songs that are popular with our parents or the older generation but are not popular with the young people. It's a different style now and they have to be attracted to what they do and being passionate about the songs they sing. It's a situation that's got to be relevant especially when the locals sing and dance very well. Like the members of this Malaga group, I teach them songs that will inspire them.

Times: So it's important that the young people enjoy the songs and be attracted to it as that helps develop their talents.
Ete: Absolutely. You got to give them songs they enjoy singing because if they are given songs they don't like, they will not give their best. As for me the songs I teach my group has to inspire them and we have seen that those that watch or have heard us sing, tell us that they were also inspired by the songs sung by the group. And it's simply because these young people are inspired by what they do.

Times: Like in athletics, the young people are known or recognised for their talents on the tracks and in this case, for their singing talents, but after that season of fame, there is nothing more. They don't produce their own albums or continue singing in bands or in nightclubs.
Ete: That's true and it is something we need to develop here with big companies in the music industry that will support these young people throughout their singing career from being identified in the initial stages to days of becoming successful. This should also include sending them overseas for exposure as it will develop their skills and talents in singing. Or have music festivals in communities like this Savusavu Music Festival, and bring over the music industry producers from overseas to see the talents we have. And then they get to see the talents available locally and what they can offer our young singers especially when we have our own style of singing here in the Pacific. There is no where else in the world you can hear our type of music and that's the best way to further develop the singing talents of the young people.

Times: What are your views about traditional music?
Ete: I think it's a great art of music and the music of the Fijian culture blending with modern music is just a unique sound and attracts people, like other Pacific island cultural music. In Fiji, Black Rose does, and George Fiji Veikoso in Hawaii and if we continue to develop our own style we will inspire other countries. But we should stick to traditional music and have our own style because there will definitely be something in music that Fiji can offer to the world. Traditional music needs to be grasped by people around.

Times: What's the role of the community in helping young people develop their talents in singing?
Ete: It will be good if members of the community get together and form groups that are relevant to the young people and have the kind of music young people enjoy because when this happens, the youths will take it on from there. They just feed off each other with ideas and encourage each other, becoming role models for each other. Forming such groups also is a positive move for the young people because they will be occupied with the music world instead of turning to drugs or alcohol. It will also instill in these young people a purpose of living, they will think positive and know a purpose in life because they will realise they have talents to become successful, they realise they can do different types of meke and modern day dancing and basically know they can make a difference in society. We also need to encourage them. So it's important that we help our young people in this area. There is so much talent here but there needs to be a lot of support and good organisation. So forming groups is important because that is when we can put together our talents and show the world that we have something to offer because we live in a small country compared to the United States, Australia and other bigger countries that have developed world known singers.

Times: Does piracy affect the potential of developing the talents and skills of musicians?
Ete: Yes and it is something that authorities are trying to crack down on. It affects musicians because there are pirate copies being made and the musician does not gain anything. Musicians need to make a living and piracy does not help at all. Some are put off by this and even lose hope pursing their musical career so it is very important that the crime of piracy is tracked down by authorities.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 13th, 2007

MASI MAKES WAVES

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

TOURISM can be Fiji's answer to many problems.

I have been fortunate to be invited to some tourism workshops where development plans have been highlighted to stakeholders. Fiji has a diversity of tourism products to sell its visitors. Apart from the people, sun and sand, Fiji has so much to offer in terms of art and craft and culture to name a few.

I am proud to be part of some of these workshops highlighting the importance of our culture and everything associated with it. Women have been encouraged to get active by making more products with traditional touch.

The women in Fiji will be able to supply handicraft in various forms creating employment as well as helping keep our culture alive. After several years in fashion designing and my new found interest in art, I am pleased to say that I have contributed to tourism through my Masi bridal designer wear which is loved by all races.

Today I feature one such artwork in masi for Dipti, pictured, who was awarded the "Miss Personality" at the Hibiscus Festival. Dipti's masi outfit for the Fijian/Pacific night was enhanced with rows of feather as well as magimagi and shells.

The bottom skirt had several miniature "iri" or fans with matching feathers and front of the skirt had a curved overlap. The outfit was lined with cotton backing under the masi for continuous strength. I wholeheartedly support Dipti's achievement and she fully deserved the title because her creativity and cheerful personality made my work so easy.

With so many such pageants in Fiji as well as the Pacific and Asia, the demand for the best gowns and ethnic wear would be greater. This can be our chance to cash in.

Fiji has been rated as one of top five inspirational honeymoon and wedding destinations in the world and this would be another chance to show our visitors what we have. There is a whole market of traditional designer wear waiting to be tapped in.

Many that come here end up buying only summer dresses. Shopping in Fiji is a significant tourist activity but you will find that there are lots of imported goods that can be designed and produced.

We can work together to really sell Fiji for its true value. For those of you who have faithfully followed these Sunday features and would like to get involved in a project to sell Fiji, e-mail me on: masibridal@yahoo.com

Adpted from Fijitimes.com November 11th, 2007

MUSIC - A Viable Career Path

2007-11-08T14:24:00.000+13:00

Since its establishment in 1992, the Fiji Performing Rights Association has been battling for the rights of musicians. It has been an up-hill battle in light of the rampant piracy here.

The emergence of programmed music is of concern to the association, which feels it is stifling the creativity of artists and discouraging live sound. Among efforts to promote live music are competitions like the Young Mussos Acclaim and the Fiji Secondary Schools Original Song Competition scheduled for this month.

This week FIPRA chairman Eremasi Tamanisau spoke to ERNEST HEATLEY about the problems composers face and how they hoped to address them.

TIMES: Tell us about the primary work of FIPRA?
Tamanisau: Our core role is to license all users of copyright music, local and international, and to distribute the fees collected as royalty. It has taken quite a lot of awareness work by FIPRA because all businesses were initially reluctant to pay fees but our legal basis is the Copyright Act of 1999.

Times: How many businesses are paying fees to FIPRA?
Tamanisau: There are a number of them, including the Fiji Broadcasting Commission Ltd, Communications Fiji Ltd, World Harvest Centre along with television stations like Fiji Television and PBS. There are other revenue sources like Webmasters who distribute our music on the internet and companies like ANZ, FNPF and Colonial Bank who pay for using music on hold.
Fees are paid for downloads or mobile ring-tones We've signed a reciprocal agreement with the Australian Performing Rights Association to administer all international and local repertoire performed in Fiji. For example, the FBC pays us a certain percentage of its gross advertising revenue as a blanket fee every year.

Times: How concerned is your association about increasing piracy in the country?
Tamanisau: Unfortunately the breaching of copyright is rampant piracy. People are so confident in doing this because the enforcement by police is virtually non-existent. You can be fined $5000 per infringing copy and up to $50,000. A person can face 18 months imprisonment. It is a constitutional requirement for the police to enforce all laws and if they are failing in this, then they are failing in their constitutional duty. The question that comes to mind is whether to take the Commissioner of Police to task on this. It is depriving musicians and composers of a livelihood for their families.

Times: Why is FIPRA concerned about the effect of programmed music?
Tamanisau: There is one use for programmed music in that it reduces labour costs but when you go overboard and have everything done on a computer then that is worrying. A computer does not express emotions. It does not have any feelings. The one thing about it is that it is killing the restive talent of our young musicians. It's not really about going back to the good old days but more about marrying the two together. You can not ignore the progress in technology but at the same time, we do not want to take away the harmony in our music.

Times: Comparing the local music now to decades ago, how much of a difference has there been in terms of the availability of real live music?
Tamanisau: We used to have great live bands in the past at places like The Dragon and Lucky Eddies. There were acts like Ulysees, Sangfroid Ride, Mary Jane, Spinning Wheel. later on you had bands like Rootstrata and Exodus. These were great groups and live musicians. The great thing about live music is their feeling and emotion. There is a feeling of harmony in the music.

Times: Tell us more about the upcoming Fiji secondary Schools Original Song Competition through which you hope to encourage more live music?
Tamanisau: The inaugural event, won by Gospel High School, was held last year on December 1, but it had unfortunately coincided with the military takeover. This year the event is on November 16 at the Suva Civic Auditorium and so far we have had a lot of interest shown by schools from diverse locations like QVS, Sigatoka Methodist, Rishikul and Saint Joseph's Secondary. However, we will be choosing the best 10 schools to compete on that day and we are yet to go through the vetting process.

Times: What will be the criteria for selection?
Tamanisau: Each school will be allowed a maxim of two original songs.
It has to be an original song that has been composed by a student or a group of students and it has to be performed live by students. Only one group is allowed from each school. As a rule we are discouraging the use of cover tunes because this will work against our aim of encouraging originality among the participating students.

Times: What do you generally hope to achieve with this event?
Tamanisau: This is to encourage creativity and originality and to foster the development of live performances of singing and mastery of musical instruments. This even is to encourage students to know that music is a viable career path.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com November 8, 2007

Pacific Islands in Australia, by Dr. Katerina Teaiwa

2007-10-29T22:57:00.000+13:00

When it comes to the prominent Wallaby player, it's pronounced Lote, not "Lotty", and Tuqiri (pronounced Tunggiri), and not "Tukiri".
Pacific communities are some of the fastest growing and visible members of the Australian population, but what do Australians really know about Pacific Islanders beyond the stereotypes of characters such as the reluctant student Jonah from the popular TV show Summer Heights High?
Is Oceania out there or right here in our major cities?
From rugby league and rugby union, to Australian Idol and Big Brother, Pacific Islanders are visibly contributing to the expansion and diversity of Australian popular culture.
But unlike in New Zealand, a country that now describes itself as a "South Pacific nation", prominent Pacific people here are rarely identified by their island heritage.
There are plenty of potential role models in Australia, but if heritage holds no social cache, it does not help young people struggling with identity issues.
A young woman I spoke to in Sydney, concerned with her Fijian boyfriend's snobbish attitude to all things from the land of his heritage, described this to me as the "Anglicise me" syndrome.
Many Pacific Islanders feel pressure to assimilate and forgo their cultures in exchange for acceptance.
The choice impacts particularly on young island men as stereotypes of the violent, unruly Polynesian male continue to circulate in popular imagination.
Recently in a lecture, a student asked me what I thought of the high-rating series Summer Heights High, the final episode of which aired on ABC this week.
The incredibly clever and disturbingly funny serial created by Chris Lilley was flagged because it is one of the few on air with a star Polynesian character.
The 13-year-old Jonah Takalua, who is Tongan, is the epitome of delinquency, obsessed with breakdancing, drives his teachers up the wall and has a violent father.
The Year 7 b-boy crew, The Aussies, rivals Jonah and his Islander mates and allegedly tags their lockers with: "Go home FOB ", "We grew here you flew here", "Get back on the boat".
In Episode 6, the Polynesian Appreciation Day featured an ambiguous Pacific dance followed by a Poly rap video illustrating two of the strongest forces shaping young Pacific migrant lives: Tradition and African-American popular culture.
One is rooted in the strength of culture in the home island.
The other is a strategy for maintaining a sense of efficacy and pride in the urban metropoles that continue to attract Pacific families searching for better opportunities.
What is striking about Pacific Islander migrants and the strategies that help them thrive in the diaspora is the way in which they can build on tradition.
Jonah isn't just obsessed with dancing because he's too stupid to learn. Most islanders come from strong oral and embodied cultures and so excel at sports and the arts for good reasons.
Let's look at a select list of Pacific Islander icons in Australia:
n Lote Tuqiri (Fijian, rugby league and Wallaby), Petero Civoniceva (Fijian, rugby league), Paulini Curuenavuli (Fijian, pop and R&B singer), Trevor Butler (Fijian, winner of Big Brother 4), George Smith (Tongan, Wallaby), Mark Gerrard (Tongan, Wallaby), Mo'onia Gerrard (Tongan, Australian netballer), Wycliff Palu (Tongan, Wallaby), Willie Ofahengaue (Tongan, Wallaby), Mal Meninga (South Sea Islander, rugby league), Jay Laga'aia (Samoan, actor), Jai Turima (Maori, Olympic long jumper).
The numbers of Tongans and Fijians featured in this line-up is fascinating when put into the context of Tongan representation in Summer Heights High, and Australia's stance on affairs in coup-riddled Fiji.
Aside from Meninga and those with Anglo surnames, all other Pacific-Australian icons have their names regularly mispro-nounced or strategically shortened.
Civoniceva is "Thivonitheva," and Laga'aia is "Langa'aia," with a soft ng like "sing".
A small thing like getting this right goes a long way in helping Pacific youth feel they can be proud to be both Australian and Islander.
It goes a long way in the perception of people in the islands who see Australia as culturally insensitive and bossy.
The Howard Government's approach to the region has been of the distant and hard "Big Brother" variety, focused on security with aid tied to the mantra of "good governance".
The Pacific, in the imagination of journalists, policy-makers and scholars, is strangely both paradise and nightmare and regularly focused "out there".
In the meantime, the number of Pacific Islanders is swelling in NSW and Queensland.
Maori numbers, in particular, are growing so much that on October 1, Pita Sharples, of the Maori Party in New Zealand, requested the creation of a new electorate for the one in seven Maori who now live in Australia.
So numbers grow, Fijians and Tongans are scoring the Australian tries, Australian museums and galleries are hankering for Pacific art and artefacts, and there is a strange and simultaneous increasing gap in understanding the islands in the streets, classrooms, sports fields, media and halls of government.
With economic giants such as China and India occupying the minds of students, business leaders, scholars and politicians alike, what is assumed to be the "tiny Pacific" in fact a region that covers one-third of the surface of the planet has slipped from the centre to the margins in the Australian consciousness.
Pacific Islanders must become Australian if they move here, but is it the case that Australia no longer needs to educate itself on the Pacific?
For a region of incredible historical, economic and political significance, such a situation is of great concern.
A 2003 Senate report that never received a formal reply from the Government made a passionate call for more education in Australia about Pacific cultures, lest Australia suffer a "dramatic loss" of influence in the region.
As the Howard Government ignored many of the report's sensible suggestions, I can only hope that if Labor wins, it will take a new and fresh approach to Oceania and the talented Pacific Islander communities that help make Australia the diverse and prosperous nation we know it will continue to be.
Dr Katerina Teaiwa is Pacific studies convener in the College of Asia and the Pacific at the Australian National University
The Canberra Times

FIJIANS on TOP of the WORLD

2007-10-25T16:36:00.000+13:00

THREE Fijians have had their names etched on the BBC's 2007 Rugby World Cup dream team.

After a jittery start, wing Vilimone Delasau and centre Seru Rabeni rose to the occasion against Wales and South Africa turning heads and getting the nod from BBC's top rugby pundits.

Blindside flanker Akapusi Qera is the third Fiji player named alongside some of the world's finest in England's Jason Robinson, Springbok trio Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield, Fourie Du Preez and England's Andy Sheridan.

Tongan Nili Latu was voted the best Openside flanker while there were special mentions for flyhalf Nicky Little, lock Ifereimi Rawaqa and halfback Mosese Rauluni. The make-up of the dream 15 has five Argentines, three South Africans, three Englishmen, three Fijians, one Tongan, and not a single All Black and Wallaby.

Surprisingly, following Australia and New Zealand's early exit, the mainstream media in the two countries seem to have forgotten about their selection of the top 15 unlike the past RWC's. Flying Fijians manager, Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, said it was an achievement everyone should be proud of.

"On the same token, the entire team should take credit for that," Tikoisuva said. "It was a complete team-effort. Everyone gave the best of their ability and in doing so helped these individuals to shine."

Rabeni and Delasau came through the grades in the abbreviated code - a point Fiji sevens coach Josateki Savou yesterday highlighted for budding stars of the game. "It shows that sevens has the potential to groom world class players," Savou said.

"Players vying for selection in the sevens code always have a lot more to play for. "They can use sevens rugby as a platform to make it big in fifteens particularly at the world stage." The make-up of the Dream 15 has five Argentines, three South Africans, three Englishmen, three Fijians, one Tongan, and not a single All Black and Wallaby.

Surprisingly, following Australia and New Zealand's early exit, the mainstream media in the two countries seem to have forgotten about their selection of the top 15 unlike the past RWC's.

BBC's Dream Team:

15 Jason Robinson (England) - One of England's few genuine world-class players at the outset can be pleased with his farewell to Test rugby, despite the pain of being forced off injured in the final. A stirring one-man show in the battering by the Boks was followed by dazzling interventions in the shock victories over Australia and France. The game will be poorer without "Billy Whizz ". Honourable mentions: Chris Latham (Australia), Percy Montgomery (South Africa), Ignacio Corleto (Argentina).

14 Vilimoni Delasau (Fiji) - In a good tournament for wingers, the Clermont Auvergne player just about held off some strong competition, notably France's own impish predator Vincent Clerc. But Delasau epitomised the attacking flair that took Fiji through to the quarter-finals with that thrilling victory over Wales, entertaining the crowds with his lightning forays down the flank. Honourable mentions: Vincent Clerc (France), Drew Mitchell (Australia), Paul Sackey (England)

13 Seru Rabeni (Fiji) - A position where the main contenders beforehand - Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll, France's Yannick Jauzion, Australia's Stirling Mortlock - failed to quite hit the heights despite the odd flashes. The dreadlocked Rabeni on the other hand was an inspirational figure in knocking out Wales and giving South Africa a quarter-final fright. Power and panache. Honourable mentions: Stirling Mortlock (Australia), Jacque Fourie (SA), Tom Shanklin (Wales)

12 Felipe Contepomi (Argentina) - A guiding light in the Pumas' run to the semi-finals, providing flashes of brilliance with ball in hand, a reassuring presence with the boot, landing most of his kicks at goal, and a fiery attitude in everything else he did. Not at his best against Ireland, but his Leinster team-mates still won't thank him for helping knock out his adopted country. Honourable mentions: Luke McAlister (New Zealand), Francois Steyn (South Africa)

11 Bryan Habana (South Africa) - Who else? Began with four tries against Samoa, including one scintillating solo effort, and finished as the World Cup's leading try-scorer with eight, equalling Jonah Lomu's tournament record. Awesome pace matched by speed of thought and eye for a gap; showed in the final he can do the dirty work as well. Pure box office, now a world champion. Honourable mentions: Chris Paterson (Scotland - 100% with the boot), Shane Williams (Wales)

10 Juan Martin Hernandez (Argentina) - "El Mago" (The Magician) was also labelled "the Maradona of rugby" and certainly revelled in being handed the responsibility of directing operations for the Pumas after his switch from full-back. Booming high kicks and touch finders mixed with sublime touch, balance and bravery. Not great in the semis, but still a star turn.
Honourable mentions: Jonny Wilkinson (England), Pierre Hola (Tonga), Nicky Little (Fiji)

9 Fourie Du Preez (South Africa) - The class act in a strong field, in which Andy Gomarsall enjoyed a stirring renaissance. Du Preez announced himself with a man-of-the-match display against England in the pool stages. Lightning pass, strong kicking game, darting breaks and alert brain, invariably making the right decisions at the right time. Fulcrum of the new world champions. Honourable mentions: Andy Gomarsall (England), Agustin Pichot (Argentina), Mosese Raulini (Fiji)

1 Andrew Sheridan (England) - The cornerstone of an England pack that dragged the defending champions from pool stragglers to surprise finalists, giving a career-defining performance in the quarter-final victory over Australia with some formidably destructive scrummaging and barnstorming charges with ball in hand. No tight-head will enjoy facing him from now on.
Honourable mention: Rodrigo Roncero (Argentina - the other outstanding prop in the World Cup)

2 Mario Ledesma (Argentina) - One of the Pumas' most experienced campaigners, the balding 34-year-old hooker was the spearhead of an Argentine pack that barely took a backward step from start to finish. Formidable in the set-piece and inspirational in the loose, his all-round contribution offered more than the man who eventually lifted the World Cup.
Honourable mention: John Smit (South Africa)

3 Martin Scelzo (Argentina) - The other member of an outstanding Pumas front row that had the edge on all their opponents at scrum-time and kept the tournament's shock troops on the front foot throughout with some sterling driving work and tireless defence around the rucks. Carl Hayman can still claim to be the world's premier tight-head, but his impact was not as great. Honourable mentions Carl Hayman (New Zealand), Matt Stevens (England)

4 Simon Shaw (England) - A close call this one, and difficult to leave out Bakkies Botha, the Springbok who has added a skilful dimension to his hard-nosed aggression. But England's gentle giant, finally playing in a World Cup at the fourth attempt, enjoyed an outstanding tournament, producing an array of fine touches with ball in hand to go with the donkey work around the field. Honourable mentions: Bakkies Botha (South Africa), Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)

5 Victor Matfield (South Africa) - Underlined his status as the best lock in the world with a man-of-the-match display in the final, where his line-out dominance was something to behold. Head and shoulders above the rest, quite literally at times, the 30-year-old provided a crucial leadership cog in a Springboks pack that came up with the answers when required. Deserved his winners medal. Honourable mentions: Ifereimi Rawaqa (Fiji), Patricio Albacete (Argentina)

6 Akapusi Qera (Fiji) - Gloucester fans are in for a treat if the dynamic contribution of Qera to the Pacific Islanders' run to the quarter-finals is anything to go by. The big boys all came to the party - Schalk Burger was the pedigree choice, if not always brilliant, Jerry Collins showed flair to go with the brawn - but the pace and power of the 23-year-old Qera was quite something. Honourable mentions: Schalk Burger (South Africa), Jerry Collins (NZ), Serge Betsen (France)

7 Nili Latu (Tonga) - Another highly competitive area, where France found a new back-row star in Thierry Dusautoir, and Juan Smith put in a fair shift for the Springboks. But the bald head of the Tongan captain Latu was always in the thick of the action with his support play, ball-handling and work at the breakdown, playing through injury at times in a superb tournament for his country. Honourable mentions: Thierry Dusautoir (France) , Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina), Juan Smith (SA)

8 Gonzalo Longo (Argentina) - A position where you could make strong arguments for the formidably committed and coiffeured Finau Maka and the athletic Julien Bonnaire - the closest the hosts came to getting a player in this team. But Longo, after taking over from Juan Manuel Leguizamon at number eight, was a key part of a rampaging Pumas back-row in both attack and defence. Honourable mentions: Finau Maka (Tonga), Julien Bonnaire (France), Vasco Uva (Portugal).

Adapted from Fijitimes.com - October 25th, 2007

South Africa - Rugby World Cup Champions 2007

2007-10-22T22:18:00.000+13:00

England's shattered World Cup dreams were plastered all over the Sunday newspapers as the nation handled sporting grief with a stiff upper lip, while the South African papers hailed their heroes.

After the vicious criticism of the nation's football team following defeat in Russia, the reaction to the rugby side's 15-6 defeat by South Africa in Paris was one of saluting a team of heroes who had fallen valiantly at the final hurdle. The Sunday Telegraph's front page featured a full-page photograph of a despondent Jonny Wilkinson emblazoned with the headline "Heartbreak" - a word used liberally.

Incredibly the first five pages of the Telegraph's news section were devoted to events in Paris, with the inside page stating: "Agony then tears as England's brave warriors fall at the last" next to various photographs of Prince William and Prince Harry, who were watching in the Stade de France. The sports pages focussed on Mark Cueto's second-half try that was disallowed by the video referee.

"Killer Touch" said the Sunday Times with a photograph of Cueto diving over the line.
A series of photos at the bottom of the page shows his foot touching the sideline before he grounded the ball. "The hearts of the white lions were finally broken in the Stade de France last night," said its main story.

"The surging, thrilling revival of the team from nowhere is over, the title is gone." Analysing the match itself the Sunday Times said "Boks On Top in Brutal Battle" while another story described the England team as "Accidental Heroes" saying that in the four years since they won the World Cup England have been "average at best". Despite the controversial disallowed try there were very few recriminations.

Only the Mail on Sunday provided any serious whingeing with a front page headline saying England had been "Robbed by Video Ref" next to a photo of Prince Harry signalling for a try next to his apparently praying older brother. The Observer's front sport's page again focussed on a wistful-looking Jonny Wilkinson at the final whistle. "Down and Out in Paris and London" it said accompanied by glum-looking face-painted England fans. "A Game Too Far For England's Old Brigade" opined its inside page.

"At the final reckoning, striving against the rugby Gods once more, they were forced to accept the reality of their shortcomings..." Criticising the match as a spectacle the Observer said a tournament that had "buzzed with the unexpected" from the beginning had ended "lamely".
"Nobody expected a classic running decider, but there were extended periods last night when both teams were treating the tradition of a game started, according to legend, by a schoolboy who picked up the ball and ran, as some form of elaborate joke."

The overriding sentiment was one of great affection and national pride for a bunch of players who had defied logic to drag themselves to the final against all the odds. "The grumpy old men finally ran out of steam, and luck", said the Mail on Sunday. "The chariot could go no further".
'GLORY BOYS'

In South Africa, the headline in the Sunday Independent Read "Boks rule the world!" while the front-page of The Sunday Times merely read "Glory Boys!" over a picture of skipper John Smit and the team holidng the Webb Ellis trophy aloft. For the Afrikaans' Rapport paper, the Boks had made a nation proud - including the anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

"This epic victory is all the sensational given the despair of Rugby World Cup 2003, and for the Springboks to have risen from the canvas to win the title is nothing short of miraculous," said the Sunday Independent. "Enjoy it South Africa, and be proud of your team because it is doubtful there has been a team more deserving of the game's richest spoils." The paper said that the team's veterans were the stars of the show on Saturday night, particularly Montgomery who kicked 12 of the 15 points.

"The senior Springboks were magnificent in marshalling the forces. Among the forwards Victor Matfield, Os du Randt and John Smit were outstanding, at the back Percy Montgomery quite brilliant." The Sunday Times also said the experience of the Boks was vital in ensuring the door was closed on England long before the referee blew the final whistle. "In the end, the most experienced SA test side yet held their nerve better than England .... to effectively shut the match down from as early as the third quarter."

It also pinpointed Montgomery's performance as the key to victory, saying the blonde fullback, who had been dubbed 'Percy the Peacock' by the English tabloids, "got his revenge at the Stade de France". The lack of tries in the game meant that the final was far from a classic, a point that was not missed amid the euphoria over the result. "Both sides will be grateful that there is no column for how it looked in the history books because it was an ugly game," said the Sunday Times.

The crucial moment in the game came shortly after half-time when England's Mark Cueto thought he had scored a try in the corner only for the television match official to rule that he had been pushed out of touch. "It was the turning point of the match," said the Sunday Independent.
"Smit pulled his players into a huddle and they left it with their jaws set. England were given short shrift, the match was controlled and South Africa muscled their way to victory." The front-page of Rapport had a picture of Smit holding the trophy aloft under the headline "Bravo Bokke!"

"The World Cup is ours. Full Stop."

The paper said that it had received a text message immediately after the final whistle from former president Mandela, reading: "We are a winning nation. Excellent! Well done men. You are our pride." The match also made onto the front page of the City Press, which has a mainly black readership, with a picture of Smit and President Thabo Mbeki illustrating a story headline: "Green and Gold Joy".

Adapted from Stuff.co.nz October 22, 2007

Bryan Habana - International IRB Player of the Year

2007-10-22T15:55:00.000+13:00

Winger Bryan Habana, who helped South Africa win the Rugby World Cup, has today (NZ time) been named International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year. View video

Habana scored a record-equalling eight tries in the tournament though he was unable to add to his tally in a tight final the Springboks won by beating England 15-6 at the Stade de France yesterday.

South Africa's Jake White, whose team were the only unbeaten side in the tournament, was voted coach of the year and the Springboks took the team award.

The other four nominees for the award were Argentine pair Felipe Contepomi and Juan Martin Hernandez, France centre Yannick Jauzion and New Zealand flanker and captain Richie McCaw, last year's winner.

Habana, who started out as a halfback, is a fast and powerful runner who equalled the eight-try record that New Zealand wing Jonah Lomu set at the 1999 World Cup.

The 24-year-old also helped the Bulls beat the Sharks 20-19 in the all-South African Super 14 final in Durban in May, scoring one of their tries. Contepomi was the tournament's second highest scorer with a tally of 91, having added 19 points including two tries to his total in Argentina's 34-10 win over France in Friday's third-place playoff.

He was second only to South Africa fullback Percy Montgomery, who kicked 12 of the Springboks' points in the final. First five-eighth Hernandez was at the tactical fulcrum of Argentina's remarkable tournament in which they won six of their seven matches, his kicking reaching a zenith with three superb drop goals in the 30-15 pool-winning victory over Ireland.

McCaw departed the World Cup early when favourites New Zealand went out at the quarter-final stage for the first time, beaten by France.

The French were unable to build on that victory and failed to reach the final, losing their semifinal 14-9 to defending champions England.

Adapted from Stuff.co.nz - October 22, 2007

HEROIC CELEBRATION IN NAIVICULA, WAINIBUKA FOR ILI TABUA

2007-10-21T10:33:00.001+13:00

Flying Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua was lost for words as he received a hero's welcome in his village of Naivicula, in Wainibuka, Tailevu, yesterday.

The national hero was accorded a full traditional ceremony by his elders who have come to see him as an icon. Mr Tabua said he had not expected to receive such a reception and was humbled by what his fellow villagers had prepared for him.

"I was just expecting a small lunch but what I have received today is far more than what I imagined," he said. "I am really happy to see that they are happy ... I am lost for words to describe how I am feeling right now."

Mr Tabua said it was in Naivicula that everything started for him. "To me, this is home and I am really just lost for words to be accorded this reception," he said. "To know that some of my relatives had to come down from the mountains and travel the rugged road to reach the village is just awesome," an emotional Mr Tabua said.

"I am just so grateful. I just really don't know what to say."

The Yavusa Naloto, consisting of the villages of Naivicula, Naveicovatu and Nasau, all converged on the Naivicula Village hall to salute their son. Mr Tabua was dressed in masi and yards and yards of sulu material.

His traditional Fijian seat, of specially made mats made by the women of the three villages, was changed every hour or so.

Each time, Mr Tabua was asked to stand as a new ibe was spread for his comfort before lines of people from the clans of the Yavusa Naloto made presentations of food, mats and yaqona. His cousins continually teased him with dance moves that kept the village hall alive and bubbling with laughter.

He was then treated to a feast of the Wainibuka delicacies of prawns and lalabe (wild ferns).
Mr Tabua said he hoped the village would be able to celebrate a much bigger and better Rugby World Cup 2011.

And, there was none better to share his moving home-coming then his mother, Paulina Tamanivalu.

"This is an occasion that we, as a family, will always treasure because of the achievements of Ili," she said. "We are all proud of him and I hope that I will still be around to see him take the Fiji team to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand," she said.

Adapted from Fijitimes.com October 21, 2007

MEET THE MALAGA SINGERS

2007-10-20T20:11:00.000+13:00

The University of the South Pacific's Malaga Singers proved a hit for thousands of secondary school students and other spectators in Suva yesterday.

The choir and dance troupe entertained pupils from schools like Adi Cakobau and Saint Joseph's Secondary schools with their new Pacific musical production titled Vaka, A Pacific Journey.

The choral show, put together by 30 singers and over 15 volunteers from the USP's Laucala Bay campus, has engaged five performances since Wednesday. The Malaga choir was led by Igalese Ete, who was choir director for the Lord of The Rings Two and the South Pacific Games in Samoa two months ago.

"The production has been well received by the students. They were very impressed," said Mr Ete.

He was proud of the effort put in by the stage crew and performers who are all USP scholars
Mr Ete said the show was a Pacific musical which told the story of ancient voyages by mariners in the Oceania region.

"The production depicts the journey of Pacific people from one island to another uniting people through song and dance," he said.

The use of the term Vaka in the show title, Ete said was interesting, because it was the word for outrigger canoe, in both the Cook Islands and Rotuman languages.

The Malaga Singers staged their final show at the Suva Civic Auditorium last night.

Apadted from the Fijitimes.com October 20th, 2007

QVS Celebrate 100 years

2007-10-11T19:31:00.000+13:00

It was a once in a lifetime celebration and the students, teachers, parents and former students of Queen Victoria School celebrated it in style.
The QVS centennial celebration was one that brought all the former students of the prestigious school back to Matavatucou.
It was trip back to memory lane.
The occasion was graced by the presence of the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo and diplomats.
Current students rocked the Victoria Square with the meke ni waqavuka, which was revised to suit the school's 100th anniversary.

Youth Race for Poverty

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

A race was held in Lautoka to shed light on the issue of poverty.
The event, organised by the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprise N Development, attracted attention.
Event coordinator Jone Nawaikula said with its theme, "Stand up and speak out against poverty", teams from various social backgrounds from schools, security services and businesshouses took time out to participate in the one-day event.
He said the organisation decided against holding a seminar or training-like format in the usual training rooms, opting for an outdoor fun activity but with a serious message.
He said it also gave participants the opportunity to work as a team.
"Humor, passion and courage were displayed here today as 100 young people hustle through Lautoka City," he said.
"Amidst cracking clues and participating in team challenges, the teams visited 16 check points around the city." Mr Nawaikula said at every check-point, teams were presented with information on poverty in Fiji and the social services available when they were in need. "Next year we hope to organise this event on a larger scale where the teams would have to go out to places like Vunato to see for themselves people who scavenge down at the dump and other places in and around Lautoka."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Conservation vs Tradition-Case Study-Macuata

2007-09-17T23:52:00.000+12:00

THROUGHOUT the last two weeks, letter writers, heads of organisations like WWF, the Methodist Church, the Macuata Provincial Council, the Department of Fisheries and the chiefly household of Macuata have been locked in a debate on the harvest of turtles during the annual Methodist Church conference held in Naduri last month.
Some letter writers have had some harsh words to say about the slaughter of the turtles particularly with Fiji having its own moratorium on turtle slaughter.
But like all laws there are exceptions and exemptions and not everyone can police them 24 hours in every inch of the sea.
Director of Fisheries Sanaila Naqali spoke to The Fiji Times about the issue and the interim Government's stand and involvement in the issue.
TIMES: Could you outline for our readers the main functions of the department?
Naqali: The Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests is mandated to manage marine resources.
In order to achieve this goal the department has embarked on a number of activities aimed at ensuring that fish stocks are conserved and managed effectively so that our future generations also enjoy what our current generations are enjoying.
One notable feature of our activities over the last few years has been promotion and establishment of marine protected areas in a number of locations in Fiji and these marine protected areas or taboo areas are already bearing fruits.
There had been reports of increasing population of fish and other marine organisms including turtles populating these marine protected areas.
TIMES: So when were laws introduced to protect turtles in Fiji?
NAQALI: The first moratorium on sea turtles was introduced in 1995 and Fiji was the first country in the South Pacific to introduce a moratorium that year and declared that year as the year of Sea Turtles.
It was further continued in 1996 for five years until 2000 and extended to 2004 when it was reviewed and extended until today.
Basically the moratorium has been placed in Fiji for the last 12 years since 1995.
The current fisheries (protection of turtles) regulation which came into effect on February 6, 2004 will expire on December 31, 2008 and the moratorium prohibits the following:
The molesting, taking or killing of any species of turtles;
Selling offering, or the exposure for sale or export any turtle shell or flesh; and
The digging up, use, take or destruction of turtle eggs of any species.
The policy is quite clear that the sale of turtle meat is forbidden.
Even just offering for sale or exposing meat for sale and exporting flesh or turtle shell is forbidden.
The sale of turtle meat and export of turtle shells has been one of the causes of decline in turtles in Fiji and the moratorium on the sales of meat has been forbidden over the last 12 years. This has assisted in the preservation and effective conservation of the turtle stocks.
However, the spirit of the regulation allows exemptions for the use of turtle meat during a soqo vakavanua and other cultural and traditional gatherings.
This piece of legislation is quite clear it is only the minister who is empowered under this regulation to allow any person to be exempted.
But the person has to request this exemption by writing to the minister.
The administrative process involves an assessment by the senior officials of the fisheries department regarding the request and they submit their recommendation to the minister for his approval. The minister then issues an exemption.
Times: So what happened in Macuata?
Naqali: The ministry only received two requests from villages in Nadogo district.
The requests were approved after the ministry had made its assessment but were reduced from 12 to five.
Both these requests had the support of the Macuata Provincial Council and the exemption approvals were relayed back to the applicants.
There was also a blanket request from the Macuata Provincial Council for a blanket approval for the whole of Macuata.
This was not approved and the ministry's assessment of this request was that each vanua submit separate requests so they could be dealt individually on a one on one basis.
We confirm that the department only received two requests from the tikina of Nadogo which were approved and there were no other requests from the other villages or tikina in Macuata.
It was clear there were some communication problem between the Fisheries Department and the provincial council to allow for each vanua and other tikina to submit their request.
This is a challenge now for the ministry to ensure such gaps in communication are not repeated in future and the ministry will carry out an internal assessment to further ascertain this and try to improve.
The ministry also wishes to note that we had sent two research officers to the Northern Division to collect and record data.
They took measurements of the shell its curve length, and standard curved length and width of the turtles caught during the period.
They were also tasked to do other research work to coincide with the opening of the taboo areas as part of research work.
The preliminary finding showed two species Vonudina (Green turtle) and Taku (Hawksbill turtle).
In their assessment they found 84 turtles were caught from North Eastern Vanua Levu from Udu Point, Lakeba in Namuka, Nabavatu in Dreketi, Cikobia, Kia, Navakasobu, Nasea-Raviravi and Mali Island.
Times: What species of turtles are common in Fiji?
Naqali: The four species in abundance in Fiji include the Green turtle (Vonu Dina) Hawksbill turtle (Taku), Loggerhead turtle (Tuvonu or guru) and the Leatherback turtle (Tutuwalu or Dakulaca).
In 2000 the fisheries department estimated that the population of each of the sea turtle stocks found in Fiji waters were about 8000-12,000.
Green turtles or Vonu dina of all age groups was estimated at around 4000 to 6000.
Times: So what is the greatest threat to turtles?
Naqali: The Fisheries Department has also noted that the greatest threat to sea turtles is not traditional or subsistence but the commercial harvest for their meat.
In the case of Macuata, the issue has been blown out of proportion by the media.
The ministry maintains that the 84 turtles harvested during the church conference is not a threat compared to those turtles kills each year commercially which run into the hundreds of thousands in the Pacific.
The policies were formulated to support turtle protection and management with the low staff numbers it will always be a challenge for the department to monitor and enforce the laws. Approvals had been granted to one tikina while the other tikina had gone through the provincial office.
The department maintains there has been an oversight in the area of communication between the two organisations.
This is an area we are addressing and will improve as we train community leaders and villagers not only in Macuata but throughout the nation.

Adapted from Fijtimes Online

Fiji to Play against Japan in France

2007-09-12T22:50:00.000+12:00

FLYING Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua knows his team will have to withstand early Japan pressure in tomorrow morning's Group B World Cup match.
Injury-hit Japan will be looking to bounce back from Sunday's 91-3 mauling against Australia, while Fiji begins its World Cup program confident of beating the Japanese for the seventh time in their ninth meeting.
"They do everything at 100 miles an hour," Tabua said of Japan. "They will more or less rush everything, while we will try and control it, take the pressure off, and unleash what we have in our fire-armour," Tabua told the Associated Press.
Fiji beat Japan 41-13 at the last World Cup, and 30-15 earlier this year.
"You will see Fijian flair and the running style of rugby," Tabua said.
However, Fiji needs to be vigilant as Japan's all-out pacy, attacking style can unsettle opponents.
"It is hard to play Japan because of the pace, they have a running game as well so what we have to do is shut them down," Fiji's vice-captain and second row Kele Leawere said. "We have to beat Japan to make the quarter-finals."
Tabua will look to Saracens halfback pairing of scrumhalf Mosese Rauluni and flyhalf Nicky Little to unlock Japan's defense.
Centre Seremaia Bai is also expected to show his tough tackling.
Bai has been picked on three occasions for the Pacific Highlanders a mixture of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji players.
Tabua, meanwhile, will become the first Fijian to coach the small nation at the World Cup.
As a player, Tabua had the rare distinction of representing two countries at the World Cup: Australia in 1995 and Fiji four years later. Frank Bunce (Samoa/New Zealand) and Graeme Bachop (New Zealand/Japan) did the same.
Japan's coach John Kirwan the first All Blacks player to play 50 internationals needs to find a way to restore confidence after Saturday's thumping.
Japan, which is 1-17 at World Cups, won its only match 16 years ago a 52-8 crushing of Zimbabwe.
Kirwan's bid to turn Japan's fortunes around took a blow with the news that flanker Takamichi Sasaki, the captain against Aust-ralia, will miss the rest of the competition with a left-knee strain.
"He has been quite outstanding in the last two or three weeks," Kirwan said.
"He never took a backward step against Australia and he put in some big hits."
Kirwan's original World Cup plans have been shredded by a succession of injuries. Mitsugu Yamamoto, Eiji Ando and Daisuke Ohata are also sidelined.
Ohata is the highest try-scorer in world rugby with 69 tries five more than famed Australian David Campese.
Kirwan will give the captain's armband back to No. 8 Takuro Miuchi, who was captain at the 2003 World Cup.
"Everyone needs to have a great game but I'll be looking for Miuchi to really stand up as captain," Kirwan said.
Fiji has a slim chance of reaching the quarterfinal stage, with Australia and Wales tipped to take the top two spots.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

A NEW PARENTING MANUAL LAUNCHED IN FIJI

2007-09-12T06:19:00.000+12:00

A PARENTING manual on positive methods of discipline was launched by Save the Children Fiji (SCF) yesterday.
Titled Positive Discipline: What it is and how to do it is "an approach to parenting that teaches children and guides their behaviour, while respecting their rights to healthy development, protection from violence and participation in their learning" said the manual's author, Dr Joan Durrant.
SCF programs manager Lynette Petueli said the manual would strengthen their work in ensuring the rights of children were protected.
They hope to distribute the manual as widely as possible.
"We have done a lot of work at community level through our mobile play group projects as well as our training with partners and institutions on child protection and on children's rights in general," she said.
"The arrival of this parenting manual will fit into the ongoing process of public awareness."
Ms Petueli said SCF would take the manuals to the various communities.
"We will also contextualise the parenting manual so it can suit the needs of parents here in Fiji. We then plan to take it through our mobile playgroup project which works with several communities in Suva and Labasa particularly."
She said there was a continuous interaction between SCF and the various communities and these were assessed to gauge the different levels of change that took place.
The mobile play group project was established in 2002 and services 17 communities in Suva and Labasa.
"For most communities the value of early childhood education is already there but it is just a matter of having a facility and resources to be able to establish their own early childhood centres or playgroup centres so people are aware of the importance of early childhood education to give children a head start in life."
"For most parents it's a learning experience.
"We encourage people to learn from what has happened and from the awareness programs that we run and hopefully be able to practice it in their daily lives," she said.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET MR. HIBISCUS, EMOSI AH CHING OF SAMOA

2007-09-11T18:59:00.000+12:00

HE was crowned the first Hibiscus King in the history of the Hibiscus Carnival but behind the king is a humble, respectful and down to earth person.
And if there is something 22-year-old Emosi Ah Ching is proud of, it is his Samoan heritage.
He said it was an honour to be a regional student taking part in such an event.
The third-year dental student at the Fiji School of Medicine said he had never regretted entering the pageant although he was in two minds about it when asked by friends.
Ah Ching is from the village of Vailea Tai in Western Samoa.
He started his primary education at Pesega Primary School and then Sackville Street Primary in Australia.
But he wanted to go to school in his homeland so he attended Marist High School in American Samoa before returning to Western Samoa where he joined Saint Joseph's School before enrolling at the University of Samoa.
Ah Ching came to Fiji in 2005 to enroll at the University of the South Pacific and then joined the Fiji School of Medicine.
He is not the first in the family to study in Fiji; his elder sister graduated from FSM last year while his father was a graduate from the institution and now practices medicine in American Samoa.
"The greatest challenge about coming to Fiji is that I am here to study.
"With studies and endless freedom given to us in campus, only the fittest will survive.
"Other than that, everything is just as similar back at home, the lifestyle the culture and tradition and of cause the friendliness of the people."
Ah Ching said it was an essence of the Pacific people the smiling faces one gets to see everywhere.
"There is not much difference. In Samoa the family is the foundation of everything and we have our own resources which we utilise to keep us going and there is also the system of share and care which still exists today.
"This, I believe, is what makes us unique. Even when one is from another Pacific island country he or she should always display some of his characters."
When asked what made him enter the Hibiscus Carnival, Ah Ching smiled and said his friends pushed him into it.
"I'm glad I agreed to be part of it and winning the contest was something I did not expect," he said.
"After agreeing, I made sure I would portray as much traditional custom of my island country as possible."
And this he did when he left the crowd breathless with the lively Samoan dance he displayed at the talent night.
"I think I did a good job and would like to thank all the support I have been receiving from my mates at FSM."
Ah Ching said the perception that pageants were only for women should be brushed aside now because it was also an opportunity for men to showcase what they had and their ideas on national issues that are affecting the country, region and the world today.
He said the funny thing about the contest was that he was supposed to be smiling and waving all the time he was in front of the public.
"At times I was not smiling but laughing at myself for waving and smiling to the crowd," he said.
"But I managed and it was such a great experience in my life.
"I thank the organisers for allowing a regional student to be part of the contest and I hope I will not be the first nor the last to enter such a pageant."
Ah Ching said there were three foundations in life that made a person a better one in life.
"First, one should set a solid relationship with Christ," he said. "Second, with the family.
"Third, with his culture and traditions."
Ah Ching said if all three were built on a rock-solid foundation, everything would fall into place.
For the time being, the Hibiscus King is hooked up with his studies. He said there was one thing he feared the most in life and that was failing his parents.
But for now, the Hibiscus King is concentrating on his studies for his final exams and hopes to be the best dental surgeon in Samoa and the region.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MARGARET LOGAVATU TALKS ABOUT SUICIDE

2007-09-10T23:09:00.000+12:00

TODAY is World Suicide Day, organised locally by Partners in Community Development Fiji.
Senior reporter MARY JOHNS spoke to program co-ordinator Margaret Logavatu.
Times: Why do people commit suicide?
Ms Logavatu: Suicide exists in every society. Some of the causes of suicide are common despite different cultures, while in many societies suicide can have very specific cultural meanings and interpretations. In Fiji it is often a little known fact that suicide is one of our most common causes of death. In any given year in Fiji, more people will take their own lives than will be involved in road accidents (in 2003, 73 fatalities occurred on Fiji's roads versus 102 people who committed suicide).
While it is difficult to generalise why an individual chooses to commit or attempt suicide, one common cause can be addressed. That is, the majority of such people are suffering from severe depression. Depression is a common and treatable mental illness that on average affects one in five people. This makes suicide prevention and mental health awareness so important because if we can catch mental illness early on and intervene and treat the illness, we can reduce the incidence of suicide.
Depression can often result from stress, among all age groups. Stress and anxiety can often result from study, work, employment difficulties, and after traumatic events, such as the loss of a loved one, an accident and the end of a relationship. It is imperative that people receive adequate support during times of stress so they can employ effective coping strategies to deal with a difficult period, and avoid severe depression that can lead to events such as suicide.
Times: What are the telltale signs?
Logavatu: Predicting suicide is difficult. Changes in behaviour outside the person's normal range of behaviour and which do not make sense to those close to them may be a warning sign. Other warning signs may include:
- Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities;
- Giving away prized possessions;
- Problem behaviour and substance misuse;
- Apathy in dress and appearance, or a sudden change in weight;
- Sudden and striking personality changes;
- Withdrawal from friends and social activities; and
- Increased 'accident proneness' and self-harming behaviours.
It is also important to note that all suicide threats should be taken seriously.
Times: Would you recommend people with these symptoms see a psychologist?
Logavatu: It is important for anyone going through a difficult time to be able to draw on adequate social support to help them through their situation. For many of us, that social support or safety net exists in various forms. It can take the form of close family members, friends, sports team coach, priest, teacher, or yes, even a psychologist. The primary issues here are ensuring people are provided with an environment conducive to effective communication and that everyone has someone they can trust to talk them through their intricate circumstance.
Times: How can we tackle these symptoms?
Logavatu: Suicide is often linked to problems of mental illness and mental illness is aggravated by social and physical isolation. In all societies it has been found that in times of change, migration and isolation, suicide rates increase and people's mental health suffers.
The important link to note here is that when people become disconnected they are more likely to suffer from a mental illness and struggle to cope with difficult circumstances.
As a society we can be aware of the issue of suicide and seek to connect people to the appropriate services and support they require to get through difficult times and build their personal resilience. Mental illness is like any other illness in that it is treatable. If you were to break an arm would you just sit at home and wait for it to heal? No, you would seek medical treatment immediately. A person showing signs of mental ill health can still live a productive life if given access to proper treatment and support.
Times: The suicide rate is particularly high among youths. Are parents not spending enough time with their children?
Logavatu: As parents or caregivers not only is it important to be able to communicate openly and honestly with your young ones, but you must also be able to provide them with an environment to do the same with you.
Unfortunately our cultural values dictate that children and youth are meant to be seen and not heard.
This makes it especially difficult for the young person who may bear witness to drug abuse in their school, violence in their home or sexual promiscuity among their peers and need an outlet to express how these things may be impacting them.
Meaningful communication between elders and young people is key, it's vital to their mental wellbeing and how they make sense of the world they live in.
We must also take the initiative to remain clued in about current issues that may have the potential to affect our young people.
Moreover, everyone has a part to play in the fight to address suicide. While the primary foundation should be the home, we must remember that the young person is part of a wider community or network.
Teachers, peers, the media (in terms of responsible reporting) and even the young people themselves need to take responsibility and ownership over this issue as it has the potential to affect many lives.
Times: What is your advice to families, especially parents?
Logavatu: As much as possible try not to place your children or young people in a situation where they may have to compete with your commitment to your church, vanua, or work. While I respectfully acknowledge that these are extremely important components of our way of life, it shouldn't be at the expense of our children and young people.
Times: Are you aware of the statistics on suicide for the first half of the year and if so, what kind of trend do they indicate?
Logavatu: We do not expect to know the suicide rates for this year until the Ministry of Health has had a chance to collate and distribute them sometime next year. We do know however, that the suicide rates over the last couple of years have decreased by some 12-15 per cent.
While this may be due to a number of factors like increased awareness on the issue, or even inaccurate recording, the fact remains that Fiji's suicide rates are still too high for a country with our population size.
Times: How does World Suicide Day help?
Logavatu: We are using this day as a platform to raise awareness on suicide and its connection to mental health, as well as pay our respects to those lives we have lost to suicide in the past.
In preparation for this event, we have made appearances on radio talk back shows in both the English and vernacular languages to talk about our local situation on suicide.
We have also started using our networks to spread the word on this event and as of Friday, September 7, my team have been both overwhelmed and humbled by the show of support and encouragement for this initiative.
I have heard that an entire school grade is interested in attending because they recently lost a friend to suicide.
This goes back to the importance of providing a safe space conducive for young people to come together and express their feelings about something that is affecting them, something that is unfortunately done too often in our society.
Times: What sort of work is planned for after September 10?
Logavatu: Partners in Community Development Fiji (PCDF) will continue to work with government and non-government actors to raise awareness on issues like suicide, mental health, and mental illness primarily at the community level.
PCDF is working at supporting partners such as the Ministry of Health, St Giles Psychiatric Hospital and Marie Stopes International in their extraordinary efforts to raise awareness in isolated rural areas like Nadarivatu, parts of Naitasiri, and the Lau group to name a few.
It is very rewarding to hear of the impact these programs have on our people in the rural areas as they learn about issues such as suicide and mental health.
We are also concerned about the increasing reports of depression among our children, some as young as 14 years old.
PCDF, along with its partner stakeholders, is planning to extend its outreach program into schools in order to address this very important issue.
These plus many other initiatives are what will continue post September 10.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

AKESA OF NASAIBITU WINS GOLD IN SAMOA

2007-09-09T17:22:00.000+12:00

FIJI'S uprising star Akesa Drotini missed out the opportunity to notch her second gold medal after pulling out of the women's 1500m due to a pulled muscle.
Officials from the Team Fiji camp yesterday said it was not serious and the timid 14-year-old Wainibuka lass sat comfortably cheering her team-mates on from the Apia Park Stadium.
"It was nothing serious only a pulled muscle caused after the long distance run in the 5000m race," the official who preferred to remain anonymous said.
"I guess this is was due to the fact that coaches forgot to get her warmed down after the win as everyone was excited and got carried away," he said.
The class eight student made a sterling debut at the 13th South Pacific Games scooping Fiji's first ever gold medal in the 12-round 5000m race.
"It was her decision and we respected that as she's the one that's going to run," the official said.
Drotini who is still the talk of the town amongst athletics fans in Apia said she had no regrets but will be back to defend her gold in four years time.
"I just didn't feel too well to run again because of my pulled muscle on my calf and I'm grateful to the coaches for understanding," she shyly said.
"I feel like I've let them down but I know I have a long way to go in athletics and will train hard to come back to win gold for Fiji in the next SPG," she said.
Drotini heads back to her Nasaibitu village in Tailevu where a grand celebration awaits her.

Adapted from Fijitimes Onine

Jone Delai wins Gold in Samoa

2007-09-09T09:24:00.001+12:00

AN old pair of track shoes is what 100m sprint champ Jone Delai believes helped him win back the title 12 years later at Apia yesterday afternoon.
That plus it was his 40th birthday yesterday that pushed him to win gold for his country as well as for himself.
"Something inside me kept saying that I had to wear the track shoes which I last wore at the 1999 games. I felt I needed to wear it again," he said.
"Imagine, I couldn't locate it for the 2003 games but after a long search at our home in Ba, I found it neatly tucked away in an old sports bag of mine."
Delai said 2003 blue ribbon star John Lum Kon had given him his track shoes prior to the team's departure. But Delai said he longed for his old Asics brand shoes.
"John offered me his new shoes but even up until this morning, my instinct kept telling me to wear the old pair," he said.
"I'm 40 years of age and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present than this."
Delai last won the title at the 1995 SPG.
There was a double celebration at the Team Fiji camp at Lefifi College in Apia after Makelesi Bulikiobo retained her crown, setting a new SPG record of 11.55s. The two athletes attributed their win to their Brisbane-based coach, Lloyd Way.
"I thank Lloyd Way for believing in me in the last three months," said Delai.
"After running a time of 10.52 in Cairns last week, I knew I w as ready."
Said Bulikiobo: "I'm on top of the world right now. I am really happy and I thank my coach Lloyd Way for bringing me back to the form I'm in today."
She confessed that her Papua New Guinea rivals Mae Koime and Toea Wisil gave her a tough run. "It was pretty close and I nearly caused my Fiji fans heartache but I kept on pushing myself to the finishing line," she said.
"I dedicate the win to all the dads back at home for Father's Day and also to my supporters.
"I believe I'm a lot faster and much stronger than the last SPG and I thank Mr Way and his family for looking after me while I was at Brisbane."
Koime of PNG took the silver medal in a time of 11.57s and Wisil, also of PNG, had to settle for bronze with a time of 12s.
Interim Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday sent a letter of congratulations to Akesa Drotini, who won the 5000m event on Tuesday.
"We are all proud of you and your achievement," he wrote, on behalf of the people of Fiji and the interim administration.
"By running barefoot and beating veteran runners, you have also clearly symbolised the theme of the Games, 'Live the Dream'. "Your remarkable victory is not only an inspiration to Team Fiji but the whole of Fiji.
"Once again, congratulations on your gallant victory and best wishes for the future."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET BRAD SHENNAN OF AUSTRALIA

2007-08-31T19:29:00.000+12:00

AN Australian by birth and having lived in Asia for most of his working life, the only thing Brad Shennan had in common with Fiji before he ever saw the country was tourism.
And yet, three months after arriving here to take up the position of director of operations at Treasure Island in the Mamanucas, Brad, as he is known on the island, finds himself very much at home in Fiji.
"It's paradise," says Brad of his new home.
On a two-year contract with the resort, Brad, 42, finds Fiji quite a contrast to his previous experiences in Asia and Dubai.
That's what gives him such an appreciation for his new assignment in this part of the South Pacific.
All that for someone who had no idea what this side of world or Fiji in particular had to offer.
"I got into the industry because I love to travel," he recalls.
"I started in the tourism industry after completing my university studies in Australia, which was around 1984," he said.
"It was the Sheraton hotels in Townsville for three years then on to Ayers Rock for another three years.
"I then went on to Melbourne where I worked for four years before heading off to Malaysia for 10 years. After my work there was completed, I headed back to Australia before moving down to Dubai for a year."
While living in Asia gave him the opportunity to learn about different cultures, Brad decided to continue the journey he began in a different direction when he took up the job in Dubai. When that assignment ended, he was given a choice to either take up a job in Kuwait or come down to Fiji.
"I was flown over here to check out the place and just opted to stay on," he said.
"Let's face it, Fiji is one of the prettiest and most peaceful places in the world.
"Fiji is a lot more relaxed, unlike Dubai where it's very exciting but things are done in the extreme.
"There are mega projects. Things are done on a large scale and a lot of money is being used. It's like Disneyland."
Brad is married to Renai, who is from Bali, where they plan to set up a business.
While this traveller at heart has seen much of the world, he is yet to leave his little corner of paradise on Treasure Island to see what the rest of Fiji is like. But it is clear he has already formed a real bonding with this country.
"I chose Fiji because it's more preserved especially with its culture but Dubai has rushed into development where it has lost its culture. Dubai is the westernised version of the Middle East.
"One of the biggest differences is that there are some places around the world where once you have met a person, you would be wondering when they would start asking things of you.
"But that's not the case here in Fiji. People are genuine and it's fairly unique.
"What's not to like about this place. People come here and relax. It's exciting to the tourist because they are in a foreign country and they are safe."

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

STUDENTS OF ST ANDREWS PLANTS VEGETABLES

2007-08-30T19:46:00.000+12:00

STUDENTS of Andrews Primary school on the Nadi back road, like every other schools in the country, go through their daily curriculum but also use outdoor gardening as a learning process.
The school was established in 1918 and has a roll of 700 students from Class One to Class Eight.
The headteacher, Mohammed Rasheed, said gardening also taught students to have a healthy lifestyle.
He said it gave students an insight of what could be done in their backyard at home.
He said in the Third Term, students and their gardener would plant pumpkin and harvest it in late January or early February.
"When the pumpkin is harvested we plant other crops such as dhania, radish, French and long bean, okra, cucumber, bindhi, tomatoes and eggplant," he said.
"On the hill slopes we plant cassava. The garden is maintained by our school gardener and the children.
"This is one form of substituting our school fees which is very low. This is one of the school's income-generating projects.
"When it's harvest season the older classes go to the gardens and help with the picking.
"Most of the senior students participate in this because it also ties in with their school work."
Mr Rasheed said the school had also been in constant contact with the Agriculture department at Nadi on farming techniques.
He said having a healthy lifestyle and learning business skills was the school's way of equipping their students for the future.
He said the farming skills learning for the students was part of promoting a healthy and enterprising education.
He said the emphasis was given to the students to be part of a health education.
"School gardening plays a key role in promoting health because it enables the children to work in the garden and get a feeling of freshness when the vegetables are priced before they are sold.
"When the children and teachers harvest the produce, they are given priority to buy the fresh vegetables before the rest is sold to members of the public or to the market and to people who place their orders."
Mr Rasheed said the exercise enabled the students to take part in gardening, harvesting and pricing of vegetables for sale and groomed them to be farmers in the future and how to use their land.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

Samuela Sakabua, the BBQ Expert from Cicia, LAU

2007-08-25T22:07:00.000+12:00

By now most of us from the capital city must have eaten a serve of barbecue at the Hibiscus Carnival.
Meet Samuela Sakabua one of the countless barbecue stall operators at Albert Park.
Samuela, 61, is a pioneer barbecue hawker in Suva, cooking up delights from the 1990s.
"I love doing this because you get good returns and you are happy at the end of the day,"he said.
"During the 1990s, I used to make close to $900 per day,"he said.
"The minimum I used to get a day was $400. By selling barbecue I was able to buy a carrier, most household items and most importantly I was able to educate my seven children,"said Sakabula.
He was the most wanted person in the Suva Bus Stand area when he started out, even closely guarding his secret ingredients with which he marinated his meat.
"It all depends on how you prepare the marinade for the chops and sausages,"he said.
"The smell of your barbecue should be able to send the message to the people of how tasty it really is.
"If you fail to produce the smell, it becomes no use selling the food. If people smell and come around, that's good but if the smell is there and they walk away then there's something wrong with your barbecue,"he said bursting out with laughter.
"I always tell my wife never to look at how much a customer spends but be grateful that at least they came to the stall and always try to build a good friendly relationship with them,"he said. Sakabula's passion for running a barbecue business got him into a lot of trouble when he first started but he never gave up.
"I have even ended up in court and been fined in order to keep my business running."He was warned by Suva City Council for not having a hawker's licence, not to sell barbecued food from near the bus stand area and was eventually prosecuted for doing so. Three times he was taken to court and fined $46 each time. "I was told not to sell barbecue at that spot but I kept doing it because that was my only source of income. I had seven children and that was our bread and butter.
"I think the magistrate was tired of seeing my face and she asked me one day why I kept on doing what I was not supposed to. "I explained that I had a family to feed and that that was my responsibility and priority.
"The magistrate then asked the SCC to give me a permit and that was the end of the story,"he said. Sukabula started as out Sam's Tasty Takeaway', doing a booming trade and becoming the most popular barbecue stall operator in town.
"I started at around 5.30pm and went on until the morning, knocking off at 2 or 3am. People used to crowd around my caravan. Apart from barbecue, we sold coffee, tea, Milo and bread,"he said. Sakabula shared his good fortunate by feeding several who begged in the city, saying he felt sorry for them.
He admits at often being frustrated with drunkards who stole food from his stand.
"It was very upsetting sometimes because some drunken people just grabbed the barbecue and ran away with it. It was no use running after them, so I just let them go and there were times when they even broke into my caravan looking for food at night."Sakabula hails from Cicia, in Lau, and came to Suva in 1962 for his secondary education and attended Navuso Agricultural School in Nausori.
He took a break from selling barbecue in 2000, turning to vegetable farming. He plants vegetables at his home in Nausori but could not ignore the easy cash in selling barbecue food at night. That's what brought him back to the Hibiscus Carnival.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

DEANS RUGBY FINAL

2007-08-22T20:23:00.000+12:00

The Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Union's Deans Trophy competition has grown in popularity over the years.
It has unleashed stars who have gone on to represent the country at the highest level. The latest in the crop is 21-year-old national flyhalf Waisea Luveniyali, a Queen Victoria School old boy. Saturday's final, won by QVS was the culmination of weeks of competition in the eastern, southern and western zones. What will be asked now is where to from here?
Only two other stages can come any where near the atmosphere a Deans Trophy final carries the Coca-Cola Athletics finals at the Post Fiji Stadium just before the first term school holidays, and Fiji's sevens rugby victories in Hong Kong.
It's when the adrenalin pumps, passion radiates in the faces of fans, and the atmosphere takes on a scope of magic.
It's when issues like race, colour and creed mean nothing in the face of blinding passion.
It's when the person next to you cheering for your team becomes your new found mate. It's when strangers go against the advice of mothers never talk to strangers.
To sniff victory is exciting, but to taste victory is magic.
I'd gone down to watch the lone school from the western division, Natabua High take on the might of Ratu Kadavulevu School in the final of the Under-17 competition on Saturday.
They were carrying the hopes and aspirations of every westerner who had either made it over to the Laucala Bowl or was tuned in to one of the radio stations broadcasting the game.
I felt their mere presence, despite eventually going down to RKS, was a sign of the times. The side won last year's Under-16 title, beating QVS in the final to step into history. They defeated Dudley in the quarter-finals and QVS in the semi-finals of this year's Under-17 grade to meet RKS in the final.
The only other time Natabua or any other school from the western division had ever reached an important stage of the competition was back in 1992.
That was when Natabua went down fighting to the Orisi Basiyalo captained Suva Grammar in the eliminations at the then National Stadium.
So when Natabua Under-17 number eight and skipper Tevita Navuda led his men out, I felt goosebumps.
I watched as the lead changed hands and marveled at the pace Natabua's openside flanker Rusiate Nawa packed when he raced from inside his 22m line to score a breath-taking try in the closing minutes of the second spell. It lifted Natabua's spirits.
But then exposure and big game'time kicked in to guide RKS to a 21-15 victory.
Natabua led 10-7 at halftime. The late comeback by RKS brought them back to earth.
But I felt there were lessons to be learnt there. Lessons I felt can only make the western side better in the lead-up to next year's competition.
They'd effectively dispelled the notion that the top rugby players only went to schools in the eastern and southern divisions.
That game set the stage, at least for me, for what turned out to be an exciting Under-19 final between RKS and QVS.
Every sign pointed towards a tough clash. The stage was set early in the semi-finals.
Both teams had picked up mistakes and said they'd ironed them out leading up to the final.
It was now about which team wanted the win more.
I watched as QVS players knelt one after the other in a show of respect after shaking the hand of one of their own, Suliasi Lutubula, the president of the FSSRU.
That scenario spoke a thousand words.
It showed respect, acknowledgement and acceptance of a man who had played in the biggest game of schoolboy rugby, and won the coveted Deans Trophy.
It was a touch of humility and humbleness I felt was missed by thousands of people that windy and damp Saturday afternoon.
I felt those few minutes spoke highly of the spirit of the Deans Trophy competition.
Lutubula was one of them. He was a QVS old boy. And the QVS squad showed him respect reserved only for men who had reached the epitome of the sport.
Such moments in sports leave a lasting impression on the minds of those who are fortunate enough to see them.
The question now is where to from here? Especially after QVS won 7-5. Lutubula feels the onus is now on provincial unions in the country to lift their game and get their acts together.
"It is unfortunate that some players disappear after the Deans Trophy final," he agrees.
"If the unions do not get their acts together, development at this level would be wasted.
"Players will always move to greener pastures.
"We are developing players from the base, from the grassroots.
"They can only go up from here, which is why it is very important that the provincial unions set a platform that makes the transition easy for these players.
"We are always talking about frontrowers for instance the fact that we don't have them.
"But look at our competition. You have tighthead and loose head props who can be nurtured for the national team. "The important thing is that they're already playing in those positions at secondary school level and are getting exposure."
Lutubula believes the Fiji Rugby Union would do well to scout for potential talent at the annual schoolboy competition.
"We have to do that now or lose some of these players to other countries," he says. "I think the important question is where do they go from here. I think they can only go up. But for that, work needs to be done by a lot of people and unions and it's for the betterment of the game in then country." It is a sentiment shared by keen followers of the game. I noticed a few members of the champion Lelean side from last year have moved on to provincial union rugby like five eight Kaminieli Neiqisa for Nadi and hooker Viliame Satala for Lautoka. Lelean's exciting openside flanker Sakenasa Aca and centre Tomasi Mawi are now in the national sevens squad heading for the South Pacific Games in Samoa.
It will be interesting to see what happens after the final of the Deans Trophy competition.
Stars have been unveiled. The potential is there. It is now about sitting up, taking notice, and hopefully, the powers that be will be doing the right thing, to nurture these stars.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

SELINA KURULECA talks about stress in Fiji

2007-08-21T08:53:00.000+12:00

IN all facets of life people face stress but hardly anyone knows how to deal with it.
And while more and more people are seeking treatment for its symptoms, others have found other ways one of the most extreme methods is when people are stressed into taking their own life.
A study shows 67 people committed suicide last year, although this was lower than the previous year (2005), which recorded 77 suicides.
Ask Selina Kuruleca, a psychotherapist who has been in the profession for the past five years and has done studies of her own to reveal the above statistics with the help of the Fiji Police Force and the Ministry of Health.
"The reason fewer suicides happened in 2006, in my opinion, was that we had wider awareness on the issues linked to suicide," she said.
Some of the factors identified in a national survey as causes of suicide include:
Boyfriend/girlfriend problems;
domestic problems;
extramarital affairs;
mental problems;
arranged marriage;
alcohol;
losing face/stigma;
loneliness;
poverty;
unwanted pregnancy;
premarital affairs;
health problems;
education failure;
witchcraft;
widowhood; and
rape.
She said this time last year she saw only 34 clients for psychotherapy, compared to the 82 clients (48 more than last year) already this year.
"People are coming as far as Rakiraki and Ba to see me," she said.
Ms Kuruleca said more civil servants and teachers were being treated or diagnosed with stress because of the uncertainty they faced in their jobs and the fact that they had had a 5 per cent pay cut.
"In my private practice without disclosing any confidentiality I have seen an increase in senior civil servants or their partners because of the economic pressure.
"Their husbands have been laid off and they ask what are we going to do now' or their husband is retiring at 55 or 58 this year and they ask themselves what are they going to do?
"We have had many of civil servants and a particular segment of the civil service coming to talk to us and I have heard from teachers as well of similar concerns.
"They have all their years of experience and they are just told they are going to be laid off.
"There is an incident of a particular teacher who walked into his office on Monday morning of the school term, got a fax thanking them for coming and saying that they had to take leave because they are 57-years-old and that would be it. How do you think they will think if they have been in civil service for 37 years and have been told they no longer have a job?
"Having said that, the role of the civil service is not to provide a job for someone but to serve the public.
"If you are not skilled you need to move on or upskill yourself or familiarise yourself on the procedures of Government."
She said there were more attempted suicides this year compared to last year.
"I have a seen more people in the tourism industry and they are not in a good situation because they have been among the worst hit," she said.
"It started with cutting of hours and then number of people but I have seen that many businesses have picked up."
She said she had seen an increase in extra marital affairs. "You know how people start off in a grog session then pick up a partner in the process," Ms Kuruleca said.
"What started off as an innocent grog session or innocent hanging out session developed into something else because people are looking for an outlet that points to marital strife.
"Most of the people who have suffered strife in their workplace whom I have seen are civil servants.
"Many companies, when implementing the five per cent pay cut, did not impose cuts on their staff, but those companies that did cut their pay executed a 15 to 30 per cent cut.
"I think when civil servants were crying they did not get all the support because other sectors said civil service cut was not as bad as theirs," she said.
Ms Kuruleca said Fiji-Indians still dominated suicide statistics but Fijians were catching up.
She said people should start detecting the signs of stress when they experienced sexual dysfunction when you are not eating properly, when you do not sleep properly, inability to separate personal to professional life, unexplained weight loss or gain, not knowing when your day has gone, getting frustrated over every little thing.
"We often say we let things fester we argue and say it's okay but after a while it explodes and the old argument comes up again," she said.
Ms Kuruleca said when people felt constipated a lot, "there is something you keep in your system ... a lot that you need to get rid of".
She said diarrhoea, unexplained skin infections or rashes were a sign of stress.
"Someone I spoke to said boils started to pop up antibiotics were not working. We spoke about her problems and a week later she was drinking beer again and was happy," she said.
Ms Kuruleca said many children were getting into sniffing glue, smoking marijuana and bullying problems were surfacing more than before.
"This is the other side that people need to take into consideration," she said.
"The stress that parents are bringing home from their workplace may be passed onto their children and this is where these things happen."
She said only recently The Fiji Times wrote about children who stole $200 just to buy glue.
"We like to say that we did worse but how many of us actually did worse," she said.
"If you come home at 11pm and your children are asleep that is where problems will happen.
"The elevated levels of stress the body responds the same way to these problems."
Her advice talk to someone you trust and do a lot of exercise "their needs to be exercise available or a fitness program for an office".
"Somewhere where office members can sit down and release that stress," she said.
She said when people drink sweet things and eat too much it is because the body wants more energy.
"This is why it is important that we all eat healthy," she said.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

A Scotsman love for FIJI

2007-08-18T20:13:00.000+12:00

HE is not a Fijian nor of Fiji nationality but remains a Fijian at heart.
Tony Millard came to Fiji in 1976 from Scotland as a volunteer teacher and fell in love with the people and place.
"This is the most amazing place I have ever been to," he said.
"There is no place like Fiji. It is a friendly, warm and welcoming country.
"You don't have to rush around doing things here and there like in other places.
"There is a mix of traditional culture between Fijians, Indians and other races which enrich the nation as a whole and this is what makes it unique.
"We don't have this cultural integration in the UK. In western way of life, I think we take many things way too seriously.
"There are a lot of things to be learnt from the Fijian culture."
He said there are problems and tensions in Fiji but it was nothing compared to other countries.
"Fiji is not as bad as other countries.
"The amount of physical violence and crime happening in the UK is nowhere in comparison to Fiji. That's why I say Fiji is the best country."
Millard taught at Savusavu Secondary School and spent five years in the country before returning to Scotland. During the five years, Millard became so well versed with the local people and culture that he saw himself as a Fijian.
"I am 54 but still young at heart."
He married Loata Navu. They have three children and they live in Scotland.
Millard left Fiji in 1981 but always maintained a close link with people of Savusavu.
His love for the country brought him back in 1999 when he started working on a project to familiarise Fiji with his people back at home.
The Fiji Merchiston Millennium 3 Project is his idea through which young students from Scotland get a chance to visit Fiji and get to taste the lifestyle of a tropical country.
"I liaised with the principal of Batibalavu District School in Savusavu to allow students of Merchiston Castle School in Scotland to come here once a year and experience the lifestyle here because it is so different from what we have back home.
"The project officially got started in 2000.
"This year we raised $30,000 through fundraising at our school and brought a batch of 12 students accompanied by four teachers.
"We ask the students to apply, why they want to be part of the project and come to Fiji and they are selected on that basis.
"The students who come with us are all first-timers here and apart from touring around the country, they also get to stay with a Fijian family in the village to experience the traditional way of life.
"I bring young people because my aim is to keep generating the intercultural relationship and let our people know about this beautiful paradise, the generosity of people, the food, climate and everything which is just so different from our place."
Millard said even though he resided in Scotland, he would always carry the beauty and uniqueness of Fiji in his heart and continue influencing others in his country about Fiji.
"I don't think there is any other place in the world like Fiji."
The group arrived on July 4 and left two weeks ago. Steph Godfrey, one of the students in the batch said he was fortunate to come and visit Fiji.
"This is my first time to this country and this place is just fantastic.
"I think this sort of opportunity is rare and that's why I took the interest to be part of the project.
"It is a very different experience to live with a Fijian family and they are just so generous and nice," said Steph.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

FIJIAN LANGUAGE TO BE COMPULSORY,IN FIJI SCHOOLS

2007-08-17T22:52:00.000+12:00

THE Fijian language should be made compulsory in the school curriculum ahead of Hindustani, the Fijian Teachers Association said last night.
Association general secretary Maika Namudu said the Fijian language should be made Fiji's national language before any consideration could be give to making Hindustani compulsory in the school curriculum.
This follows a Cabinet endorsement for the compulsory teaching of written and spoken Fijian, Hindustani and English languages in all primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Cabinet said spoken and written qualifications of the three languages would also be a pre-requisite for employment in the civil service.
The move is aimed at harmonising the ethnic divide in the country and its inculcation into the school curriculum hinges on consultation the Education ministry has with stakeholders, interim Education Minister Netani Sukanaivalua said.
Mr Namudu said following conclusive consultations, the next step would be train teachers to teach.
"The vernacular taught in schools today is half-pie job. We need professionally trained teachers for this. I would suggest we teach English first, then Fijian and many years later Hindustani," he said.
"Teaching all three subjects all at once would be chaotic. It's not easy to make all three subjects compulsory."

FLYING FIJIANS, READY FOR FRANCE

2007-08-15T21:10:00.000+12:00

FLYING Fijians coach Ilivasi Tabua says Fiji needs an impressive performance in the opening two pool matches of the Rugby World Cup in a bid to reach to the next stage.
Tabua said a win against Japan and Canada was "vital".
He said Fiji will have to set a good platform before its matches Australia and Wales.
"We have to start off well," Tabua said.
"It's Japan and Canada. Those two games are vital. We will not worry what's further down the line. It's what straight immediately in front of us which that is vital. I know Japan will come out firing and Canada as well.
"If we set ourselves a good platform from those two games then it leads us to the next stage which is Australia and Wales.
"So the first two games are vital for us and it's a three day turn around.
"So we have to go out there and be prepared to take the bull by its horn and go hard at it and win for Fiji."
The national side is in its fifth week of camp in Sigatoka. The team held three training sessions yesterday with the main focus on game situations.
Tabua, who took up the job as coach following the resignation of Wayne Pivac early this year, said he could not complain about the time frame given to him to build the team.
"In this fifth week of training the focus is all on game situation," Tabua said.
"Everything we are doing at training is about the game. We are breaking it down and putting them into the game situations.
"So the training varies and that's the plan for this week. The five weeks is what was given to us and this is the best we could do."
The Fiji team flies out to France on Friday.
The team will play against FC Auch Gers and Sporting Club next week as part of its final build for the RWC.
Tabua said the matches would give him a chance to polish up combinations ahead of the against Japan on September 12.
"For us this two matches will be mimicking the Wednesday and Sunday opening round pool games," Tabua said.
"We will be fielding two different teams. Then we have about two weeks before we go into match camp."
Fiji's second pool match against Canada is on September 16.
The national side takes on Australia on September 23 with the final match against Wales on September 29.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET IN HWAN AN FROM KOREA

2007-08-15T20:53:00.001+12:00

WHILE Fiji enjoys continuous support from volunteers who have been coming in from different parts of the world, some have come to love the place more than others.
In-Hwan An, better known as An, Fiji will always be special place for him.
The 29-year-old from Seoul and five others arrived in December through the volunteer program, Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).
"At first, we were nervous about learning English and adapting to a new culture but now I feel we have adapted well," he said.
"For my job, I was placed in the IT section of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
"During my time there, I assisted in developing a new database system, the designing and construction of a new computerised database system which has user-friendly features and easily accessed by users.
"In addition, I ensured that the Local Area Network (LAN) was operating smoothly, that the equipment was correctly configured and standardised and the software was up and compatible.
"I also backed-up the system, checked the equipment, set up user accounts and worked on troubles-hooting"
He helped renew the Youth and Sports ministry website and continually updating it for the users.
"My house is one of the government quarters off Muanikau Road. When I entered my house for the first time, I was surprised to find it had a bad smell and a lot of mould in the house.
"I think it had been a long time since the last person lived in there and it had been sitting empty and growing mildew," he said.
"After I cleaned it and get some fresh air moving through it, PWD came and painted the inside walls. Now it's very comfortable and I really love my house.
"I have done a lot of travelling in Fiji. I have visited Naigani Island where one of my co-workers is from."
The cultural-trip was beautiful because he had lovo food and learnt how to make coconut oil.
He has been to Volivoli near Rakiraki and gone snorkelling and deep-sea fishing.
"I went up to the Friendly North last October to visit some friends. I visited Naboutini Village for a couple of days, slept in an authentic Fijian bure and spent some time reading English books to kindie children.
"I spent several days in Labasa just relaxing and hanging out with my friends."
He made friends with an Indian family at Raralevu where he tasted some fiery Indian curry.
"One of the best things about Fiji was that I met my fiance here."
An met Lindsey who was a volunteer with the Peace Corps with the Ministry of Health.
He said his time here had been "like a dream come true for me, because I found paradise and fell in love in paradise".
"I have really enjoyed my time in Fiji," he said.
"We are hoping to make enough money so we can come back to Fiji in the future for a nice, long, sunny vacation.
"The people, food and weather, everyone and everything have been so nice here.
"I'm happy I had the opportunity to come there and work and learn about the local cultures.
"I enjoy both the Fijian and Indo-Fijian lifestyles.
"I really hope I can come back to Fiji in the near future and meet up with my friends again.
"I want to thank all the people who have invited me to their homes for a nice dinner and to those who have been so kind to me while I've been living in this wonderful country.
"I will never forget you."
An said Fiji was now part of him because of the many beautiful things that happened to his life in this Pacific paradise.

Adapted from Fijitimes Online

MEET WOMEN OF MUANA, REWA

2007-08-14T20:28:00.000+12:00

WOMEN of Muana in Toga, Rewa have a thing going in the floriculture business.
They formed a working group in 1999 and started planting Anthurium on one and a half acres of land for a floriculture company in the Western Division.
From the humble beginning, the group today has 11 members and a large collection of flowers including ginger, crotton, palms among other Vasilli and 20 varieties of Anthurium.
The group's secretary, Loame Dugu, said the hard work, dedication and commitment of the members resulted in their success.
Loame said the women were proud of their achievement and made every effort to make their business profitable.
The women supply fresh flowers to the Suva branch of the Nadi-based South Seas Orchid, the company helping their business.
She Dugu said they cut flower every morning and sell them at prices ranging from $0.38 to $0.70 per flower depending on the size. Despite four groups supplying 200 flowers each to South Seas Orchid every two weeks, they still could not meet the demand.
She said they made sure the flowers were not damaged and kept fresh all the time. When flowers are cut it is kept in buckets of water and transferred to boxes with moist newsprint to keep them fresh.
Group president Liviana Gusu said she always felt at peace looking after her nursery.
"It is my hobby to plant flowers and it is also a beautiful and profitable business," Liviana said.
She urged women to venture into floriculture because Fiji's climate was suited for it. Acting Agriculture Officer (Rewa) Chandra Prakash said the Muana women's group were among the best suppliers of flowers to SSO.

Record low for Supermarkets in Fiji

2007-08-12T21:15:00.000+12:00

THE supermarket sector is at a 10-year low, says the chairman of a leading supermarket chain.
Speaking at a brokers' briefing in Suva yesterday, R B Patel Group Ltd chairman Surendra Patel said only two new supermarkets had opened in the past 12 months the lowest in 10 years.
Mr Patel said the supermarket trade was directly related to the spending capacity of consumers.
He said although the industry was more resilient than most other sectors, most consumers would make some adjustments to their buying patterns.
"In tough times consumers are likely to make choices that will provide more value for their dollar. This will undoubtedly mean they will spend a little less on particular food categories," Mr Patel said.
He said consumers would also become more aware and more demanding under these conditions.
Mr Patel said the forecast by the Reserve Bank of Fiji that the economy was expected to contract by 3.1 per cent this year was a certainly not a positive sign.
He said the group's trading for the first three months was slow, with reduced expenses resulting from new initiatives on cost control.
"Margins also recorded a slight decrease as consumers moved to cheaper options," he said. "These results show a conservative spending pattern with more focus on the basic necessities and seeking cheaper alternatives."
Mr Patel said in addition to achieving growth through expansion, the company's aim was to maintain profitability levels similar to last year within the parameters of the economic obstacles and the competitive nature of the industry.
The group's operating profit after tax for the financial year ending March 31, 2007 was $3.4million compared to $2.9 million last year. The figure represented an increase of 16.13 per cent.

THE STORY OF LAPITA MIGRATION IN FIJI

2007-08-11T21:01:00.000+12:00

We will never know for sure, of course, where the first people on Fiji's shores actually landed.

We will never know for certain who they were, where they came from, or when they arrived.

But there is great interest in these questions both in Fiji and beyond and science is helping us get the best possible answers.

Where did the first people land in Fiji?

The best available scientific evidence that we have at present suggests that the first humans to see the Fiji Islands came ashore for the first time in the southwest part of Viti Levu Island. This is understandable. They arrived in large watercraft probably bamboo rafts which were difficult to manoeuvre through the maze of coral reefs close to many island coasts today. So they stayed outside the largest reefs and followed them along until they were so close to land that they crashed ashore.

If you look at a map of Fiji, you will see that the largest such barrier reef in the west of Fiji runs from west of the Yasawa and Mamanuca island groups towards southwest Viti Levu, where it meets the land for the first time without an intervening lagoon along the Rove Peninsula, just west of Natadola. If you did not know where to look for the earliest human settlement in Fiji, these factors might encourage you to look along the Rove Peninsula. You would not be disappointed.

For the Rove Peninsula is dotted with ancient settlements, dating from the Lapita era in Fiji between 550 and 1100 years before the birth of Christ (years BC). All of these settlements have been discovered in the past four years, by a research team from the University of the South Pacific and the Fiji Museum. The earliest and the largest settlement along the Rove Peninsula is that at Bourewa. All the available scientific evidence points to Bourewa Beach as being the first place that humans walked upon in the Fiji Islands.

Who were the first people in Fiji? We call them the Lapita people, after the place in New Caledonia where their distinctively-decorated pottery was found just over 50 years ago. They were the greatest seafarers of their times, crossing distances of more than 1000 km at a time when people elsewhere in the world could barely sail 100 km.

They were people of the sea, their diets mainly seafood, their preference for living being on boats or in houses constructed on stilt platforms raised above a coral reef.

But most remarkably, and most mysteriously, they have left us signs of a complex belief system that we shall probably never fully understand. For some of their pottery they made very finely, and decorated with intricate designs made from a series of tiny dots something we call dentate stamping. Some of the designs look like faces they have eyes, ears, and noses so perhaps they were intended to represent ancestors. It has been suggested that dentate-stamped pottery was only one element of this decorative scheme, and that the Lapita people were also fine wood-carvers, and tattooed their bodies with the same designs that we find on the remains of their pots.

But this may all be wrong. Recent research has found that almost all the decorative motifs found on Lapita pots can be interpreted as parts of turtles. One emerging idea is that the Lapita people had a belief system that was centred around the turtle.

Where did the first people in Fiji come from?

The people who landed at Bourewa must have been heartily relieved to touch dry land. They would have been at sea for several weeks probably far longer than they had expected to be. The taro and yams that they had brought to plant in the new land they had expected to find had long since died. The dogs and chickens they carried, if any still lived after their horrendous ordeal at sea, were as hungry and thirsty as the people onboard. Bourewa saved them, for the beach is fringed by one of the widest coral reefs in the whole of Fiji it is nearly 3 km broad and even today it is renowned as a source of food. Bourewa shellfish, octopus, and sea grapes (nama) are common foods for the modern inhabitants of the area.

There are many ways by which we can trace the migrations of the Lapita people, including language, genetics (DNA), and through their pottery. With the pottery, we can look at both its mineral composition and the designs. Studies of the minerals in the Bourewa pottery show so far that it was all manufactured locally but we are hopeful that one day we analyse a piece that we can demonstrate to have been made elsewhere. But analysis of the designs on the Bourewa pottery suggests a close affinity with the Lapita people of Solomon Islands, particularly those living at the time in the eastern outer Solomon Islands (Santa Cruz Islands). This is likely to have been the immediate homeland of the Lapita people who landed at Bourewa.

But we know from research elsewhere in the Pacific Islands that the earliest Lapita people lived in Papua New Guinea, on the offshore islands that are today known as the Bismarck Archipelago. In 2005, while we dug at Bourewa, we received spectacular confirmation of a Papua New Guinea origin for the Lapita settlers of Fiji. This came in the form of a beautifully-worked piece of obsidian, a volcanic glass that does not occur naturally in Fiji. This obsidian has since been traced to the quarries of the Kutau-Bao area of the Talasea Peninsula on New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea, which is some 3300km in a straight line from Bourewa. This obsidian was brought to Bourewa by its Lapita settlers an estimated 900 years before the birth of Christ.

When did the first people arrive in Fiji?

Just like most other places in the world, there have been countless migrations of people to Fiji from elsewhere. We remember many of these arrivals in different ways in pictures, in writing, and in oral traditions. But none of these memories are thought to be able to accurately recall arrivals that took place more than a few hundred years ago. The Lapita people lived in several places in Fiji.

We estimate that they occupied places like Natunuku (near Ba), Matanamuani (Naigani Island), and Naitabale (Moturiki Island) about 900 BC.

They may have lived on Yanuca Island (Nadroga) and Ugaga Island (Beqa Lagoon) slightly earlier.

They reached islands like Mago and Lakeba in Lau, and Yadua in Bua slightly later.

But the earliest ages for the Lapita occupation of Fiji all come from the Rove Peninsula.

It is estimated that the Bourewa settlement was established between 1260 and 900 BC. A second group of migrants appear to have arrived between 990 and 720 BC, and a third group after 830 BC.

Each group occupied a different part of the settlement. Recent research at Bourewa has concentrated on trying to understand how this Lapita settlement grew and eventually overflowed into adjoining bays. Satellite Lapita settlements were established close to Bourewa at Qoqo Island (Tuva River estuary) about 1000 BC and on Rove Beach about 850 BC.

The research team from the University of the South Pacific and the Fiji Museum is continuing its research into the earliest period of Fiji's history, and an episode of Noda Gauna featuring the Bourewa site will be shown on Fiji One at 8pm on Monday August 13.

Patrick Nunn is Professor of Geography at the University of the South Pacific and leads the research on the Rove Peninsula. The opinions that he expresses in this article are his own and not necessarily those of the University.

MEET TIONE CHINULA, FROM MALAWI

2007-08-10T09:48:00.000+12:00

Tione Chinula is an aspiring career focused person who believes in equality. Gender equality is a subject that is close to her heart.
gender issues
She works as the advocacy and communications officer at the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Human Development Program in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Tione says she loves her job which she says gives her an opportunity to raise gender related issues.
"I have witnessed disparities between the sexes every where I have been to but nowhere are they more obvious than in the developing world. Although it can be discouraging, I try to accentuate the positive. I admire and am inspired by all the women and men who have enabled progress towards a more balanced society," she said.
"I would like to see that everyone benefits equally in society and there is an equal opportunity for all."
She joined the SPC team last month.
Working at SPC is not a new experience as Tione was involved with the organisation as a consultant in the past, working in what was then the Pacific Women's Bureau and for the HIV/AIDS and STI project.
Tione said that with all the changes afoot, it is an exciting time to come on board. "There's a sense of renewal. It's very motivating to be part of the process. The program has created a new drive and an opportunity to tackle gender, youth and cultural issues and community education more efficiently," she said.
Working with the youth is also a priority area for her.
Youth is an area she is familiar with, having worked for UNICEF New Zealand in 1996.
"Working on issues relating to young people is always very motivating. Young people are dynamic and always so keen to learn and evolve, so it's an area that involves a lot of energy, new ideas and constant change," she said.
Having grown up in South Africa, she always had an interest in cultural issues.
"Just as in the Pacific, culture is part and parcel of life in Africa. In fact there are many similarities between the two regions. African time is the equivalent of Pacific time and the bush wireless in Africa operates along the same lines as the coconut wireless here. On a more serious note though, they have similar values such as hospitality and, in both places, family, in the extended sense, is such an important component of society," she said.
Tione describes herself as a bit of a global citizen.
Her father is Malawian and her mother is a New Zealander.
She was born and grew up in Malawi then moved to New Zealand at the age of 16 to study.
In 1996, she moved to Tahiti where she taught English.
She returned to New Zealand in 1998 to study journalism at Canterbury University in Christchurch.
For the past several years she has been based in New Caledonia working as a travel writer and freelance journalist.
From 2001 to 2006 she wrote several guide books on the Pacific and Africa for the international guide book publisher, Lonely Planet.
In the early 2000s, she was a stringer for Islands Business. Most recently she was a correspondent for Radio New Zealand International. She has produced material for magazines, newspapers and websites around the Pacific and in Australia and New Zealand.
Between 2000 and 2006 she also taught English at the University of New Caledonia and a number of other New Caledonian education institutions.
Tione is married to a French man and has two daughters aged three and three months.
She has never been to Fiji and said she was looking forward to a visit some time in October this year.

Village 6 launch for UNICEF

2007-08-08T06:21:00.001+12:00

THE United Nations International Children's Education Fund launched its 'I'm in Control'campaign at the Village 6 cinemas on Thursday last week.
UNICEF Pacific representative Doctor Isiye Ndombi, while launching the campaign, said it would give the young people in the country inspiration and encourage them to break away from peer pressure.
People at the campaign launch included guests from the Save the Children Fiji, schools and other invited guests.
A special screening of the 30-second campaign at the cinema was followed by refreshments

Pictured is Lynette Petueli and Oghale

Your Rights are you Business

2007-08-06T22:35:00.000+12:00

The issue of human rights, freedom and democracy and the abuse of individual rights has been the core of discussions and courts cases since the turn of the century as a result of circumstances which saw upheavals in government leadership and changes in political power.
It has reached a point where organisations deemed to be upholding and fighting for the protection of basic human rights of citizens have been questioned for their integrity and whether they were upholding the rights of Fiji citizens. Senior reporter ROBERT MATAU talks to human rights advocate Premila Devi, about a project she heads on educating the masses about their rights and freedom of expression and movement as enshrined under the Constitution.
TIMES: MADAM, could you briefly explain about the Human Rights and Values Project you are the chairperson of?
DEVI: THE Human Rights and Values Project is a part of the USP Lautoka campus' continuing and community education program.
It aims to create awareness among high school students in the Western Division of the basic human rights of an individual and the cultural, traditional and moral values that characterise the two major ethnic groups (Fijians and Indians) in Fiji. We organise written competition, research projects, quiz and debates on human rights and values for high school students to not only test their understanding of human rights and culture of the major ethnic groups but also to create awareness and understanding of the topic among the students.
TIMES: WHY was it established and does the project only concentrate on the education of school children on human rights?
DEVI: THE project was established in 2004 in light of the National Unity and Reconciliation campaign by the government of the day. It was realised that reconciliation is not something that can be achieved overnight. It should involve ongoing education at all levels. It just cannot be a top-down policy supported by a couple of meetings and celebrations. We decided that as part of our continuing and community outreach, you make our contribution toward national unity and reconciliation by at least educating the youth who are in high school. Yes, this particular project only focuses on high school students in the West. It is our contribution toward reconciliation, peace-building and multiculturalism in Fiji.
TIMES: DO you think citizens of Fiji are fully aware of the issue of human rights and do you think our governments have done enough to create awareness?
DEVI: I DO not think citizens of Fiji are fully aware of the issues of human rights. Obviously, our governments have not done enough to educate the public. We do not have a culture of independent and critical thinking.
We are very much under the influence of two dominant entities (politics and religion) in our country. I believe that politics and religion are the major mind setters. I also believe the mass media has not done enough to help the governments.
TIMES: DO you think the rights of people in Fiji are adequately protected?
DEVI: YES, the Constitution guarantees adequate protection but how many people know what their human rights are and how can they assert those rights?
Having adequate protection and law on paper serves no purpose if people do not fully understand the laws and/or are not empowered enough to assert their rights.
TIMES: WHAT are some areas you see human rights have been compromised?
DEVI: FREEDOM of expression and freedom of reporting.
TIMES: SINCE the interim regime assumed power, they have been promising to uphold the Constitution and human rights. Do you think they have fulfilled their promise so far and why?
DEVI: THE legal cases challenging the interim regime will be a good judge of whether the promise has been upheld.
TIMES: MADAM, what is you opinion of the work being done by the Fiji Human Rights Commission? Do you think it has been just in protecting the rights of Fiji citizens?
DEVI: THE rights of Fiji citizens are protected in the Constitution. The Fiji Human Rights Commission, to my understanding, is there to educate the public of their rights, provide recommendations to the government on related issues and take up human rights violation and abuse cases based on complaints from the public. I do not think it has done enough in terms of educating the public but its very existence provides people a voice in case of human rights violation. But again, we should not forget that the political climate of a country has direct influence over any organisation, whether the political framework is democratic or non-democratic, it is bound to have an impact on individuals and organisations. But how can we measure whether organisations such as the FHRC are exercising self censor such as the mass media?
TIMES: WHAT are some measures you think should be put in place in order to improve the issue of human rights in Fiji?
DEVI: EDUCATION at all levels. These issues should be part of the formal education at all levels and non-formal education at community level. All sectors including the government, non-government and private, should be involved. The government can initiate a national compact including all sectors and the mass media to work on educating the public on human rights and any issue.
I strongly believe the mass media has the potential to play a key and leading role in educating the public not only on issues of human rights but on any issue affecting us and our country.
By providing information, the media has the potential to create a 'state of mind' and empower the public and decision makers.
TIMES: HOW important is the protection of human rights in Fiji, or for any government, with regards to international acceptance and recognition?
DEVI: THE protection of human rights is crucial and very basic for any government. It reflects good governance and transparency, which is very important in terms of international acceptance and recognition.

Fijian Kids on Kia, Macuata learn about Turtles

2007-08-04T08:10:00.001+12:00

What? Turtles take 40 years to mature and lay eggs?"exclaimed a bewildered Kia islander amid giggles from the women in the classroom.
Villagers and students from Kia Island in Macuata, (off the north coast of Vanua Levu) gathered at the Kia Primary School around midday on a Tuesday not too long ago to discover the biology of and threats to sea turtles Vonu.
Deeply engrossed the elders and youths participated in a debate for and against turtle protection and listened to a presentation held in Fijian by Merewalesi Laveti, of USPs Institute of Marine Resources, and Metui Tokece of WWF Fiji Programme during a turtle road show.
Beneath the shade of a mango tree, classes one to four sang with pride "Fiji has a big blue sea, full of fish and coral reefs Dont litter in the sea."
They also eagerly identified the different species of turtles in the photographs held out by WWF staff and collected their goodies upon correctly answering questions posed at them.
In a room close by classes seven and eight students argued over which turtle they had eaten some time ago or had seen nesting on their beach.
Kia Island is a known turtle nesting site and is one of the traditional fishing villages required to present turtles at traditional functions, in meeting their obligations as the traditional fishers (gonedau) for Tui Macuata.
"When the Tui Macuata summons us, we take turtles and present at traditional functions. Before there were lots of turtles and anyone could eat them,"said 69-year- old Veresi Masicola, from Ligau village, Kia. "As I grow old I notice that not as many turtles are coming to our shores. The consumption of turtles has also decreased,"added Mr Masicola.
He said, "In 1990 the villagers caught a huge Tutuwalu (leatherback turtle) almost the size of a grown man and it was taken to the Fisheries department."
"Turtles have come to our shores for decades now, however they dont come to nest in large numbers anymore. I hope in the years to come our children can still present enough turtles for magitis."
Through an evaluation process, the three tikinas visited (tikina Mali, Sasa and Macuata) expressed interest in protecting turtles and allowing the populations to recover. The evaluation also indicated that the villagers were in favour of extending the moratorium.
"We need to make sure that turtles are around for future generations,"says Savenaca Mara, turaga-ni-koro of Yaro Village, Kia. These ancient creatures travel thousands of kilometres to feed and nest in different parts of the world.
In Fiji, the four common turtles are the Hawksbill (taku), the Green turtle (vonu dina), critically endangered Leatherback turtle (vonu dakulaca / tutuwalu) and Loggerhead turtle (tuvonu).
There have been anecdotal mentions of a fifth species the Olive Ridley, but these are yet to be confirmed through research.
All species of marine turtles are in danger of extinction although at varied stages.
"Everyone who has to catch turtles for any traditional obligation needs to seek permits from Department of Fisheries,"said Kesaia Tabunakawai, WWF Fiji manager.
Between 2004-2007, 85 permits were issued for turtle harvests by the Minister of Fisheries and Forests.
"This however does not mean that people are not catching turtles it is just an indication of people who are following the law."
WWF and partners are now taking the cause of turtle protection all the way to the students and villagers starting from Macuata.
Four schools Mali District School, Bulavou District School, Cadranasiga District School and Kia District School were visited in Macuata during a four-day Turtle Road show supported by FINTEL and WWF Australia. The key outcomes of this road show are to raise awareness levels of communities on the status of turtle populations and subsequently increase compliance of the moratorium.
The road show will continue to other parts of Fiji mainly aiming the areas/villages in Viti Levu where turtles are known to nest. One of the target audience are the younger members of the communities as they are future decision makers and change makers. WWFs partner organisations such as the Department of Fisheries, Institute of Marine Resources and Laje Rotuma Initiative are combining their efforts to conduct baseline survey of nesting sites/beaches, turtle tagging, database recording and awareness.
The underlying aim is to assist the Fisheries Department to collate enough data to support the extension of the moratorium protecting turtles.

INTERNET IN FIJI

2007-08-03T06:34:00.001+12:00

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) are universally acknowledged as powerful tools for development.
In Fiji, growth in internet usage from 2000 to March 2007 was 833.3 per cent.
This means more people are "going on line" and they needed to be exposed to internet-related issues.
For example, women in Nausori have embraced ICT to sell their products online. By accumulating email addresses from government offices, they sold their products directly to email recipients.
Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society (PICISOC) vice chairman Frank Martin, who conducted a workshop for the media yesterday, said ICTs were not only essential to social development and economic growth but were critical to the development of good governance.
They can be effective vehicles for the maintenance of security and vital for sustainable development.
"In the Pacific, ICTs are the key to ending the tyranny of distance, he said.
He said in the Pacific region those who accessed telecommunications and the internet were faced with slower speeds and much higher costs than in the developed world.
"There is inequality in ICT access with women, youth and the disadvantaged being among the most excluded groups even though ICT is a significant tool for social and economic empowerment."
Mr Martin said in order to make good use of ICTs to foster education, health and administration as well as improve communications, a rapid expansion of telecommunications and a reduction in their costs was urgently required throughout the Pacific.
The Pacific's problems are caused by large distances, small scale, scattered populations and markets as well as a low level of investments in telecommunications and human resources.
"All these problems can be addressed and the development of ICTs accelerated by selection of appropriate mechanisms for cooperation market integration and provision of services on a regional basis."
He said small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were a significant and vital sector in the Pacific economy.
ICTs have the potential to globally expand the markets for SMEs, shrink their costs and remove their isolation related problems.
To use this potential requires improved financial access to ICTs, more access to customers within the region, and better legal and financial environments.
Numerous studies have highlighted the potential of and impediments to ICTs for every Pacific islander. The Communication Action Plan (CAP) and Pacific Islands Information and Communications Technologies Policy and Strategic Plan (PIIP) have recently made clear recommendations on actions required for ICTs to reach potential in the region.
However, because of the challenges such as scale, institutional capacity and isolation, countries have been less than successful in following the recommendations.
"The ability to develop ICTs and use them at the business and consumer ends needs significant improvement."
Mr Martin said the challenge by leaders to develop new regional institutional arrangements, through the Pacific Plan and the dynamic technological and commercial environments of the 21st Century offers countries in the region fresh opportunities.
"They can pool existing resources more effectively and accelerate the introduction of infrastructure that would support the use of ICTs in education, health, trade, commerce, security, governance and meet the social needs of the communities.
The regional digital strategy based on the CAP and PIIPP established the following priorities: Improving access to communications technology; reducing costs; establishing higher bandwidth to the global ICT bone; removing inappropriate regulatory environments in order to foster higher levels of investment; strengthening ICT skills.
He said broadcasting which simultaneously used local, regional and global content has been a largely neglected area of ICTs in the Pacific.
"Newer technologies through the internet, audio streaming, community FM broadcasting and digital satellite radio offers means to better achieve coverage, improve the content in broadcasting and to improve on independent, traditional and community media."
He said so far countries in the region have been unable to fully use this cost effective mass ICT, with its potential to provide high quality education, health and other services as well as entertainment. The digital strategy aims to expand the opportunities that convergence and digitalisation offer to broadcasting services through private, non-State agencies and government channels.
Mr Martin said in the Pacific with its range of scale and other diversity there was a demand for thinking globally while acting locally.
"The essence of the digital strategy will be identifying those areas where synergies exist in regulation, market or standards and promoting regional solutions while identifying the needs for local action and providing support to local agencies."
Regional principles recognise: The provision of reliable, competitive and low priced telecommunication, and that ICT services are crucial to the sustainable social and economic development of Forum Island Countries; the Pacific is hampered by large distances, small markets and scattered populations; and that forum island countries have limited technical capacity.
He said there was a need for increased efforts to be made to implement regional, sub-regional or multi country solutions to problems in the telecommunications and ICT sector through: The management of regional public goods such as spectrum; regulatory regimes; a regional interconnection regime; harmonised laws; human resources development, and liberalisation of the regulatory environment.
Mr Martin said there was a need for a central responsibility of government to telecommunications to be established and administered by independent regulatory authorities.
"Telecommunications and ICT services should be open to competition and regulatory barriers to domestic and international providers should be removed to allow for competition in international voice, domestic fixed line, mobile, broadband, data, internet, satellite and other services. There should be transparent and competitive tendering practices within a well regulated environment, where it is deemed markets are too small to sustain more than one operator as well as the removal of regulatory barriers to the unbundling of services." He said telecommunications and ICT services should wherever possible operate on a sustainable commercial basis with consideration of privatising government-owned services and service levels should reflect demand while the price reflected the cost of delivery.
"Where appropriate legislated monopolies should be removed with a view to increasing competition and that clear lines of responsibility for shareholders, board and managements are defined.
"Where telecommunications and ICT providers remain in government ownership and required to perform commercial activities, they should be adequately capitalised," he said.

HOPE FOR VATUKOULA GOLD MINE

2007-08-02T00:02:00.000+12:00

Written by Brad Gordon, Chief Executive Officer Emperor Mines LimitedThursday, August 02, 2007

I write with regard to an article published in The Fiji Times on 21/07, titled "It's time for the gold mine wheels to churn out justice", written by members of the Vatukoula community.
While I applaud the intention of the authors to encourage dialogue between stakeholders involved in the operation of the Vatukoula mine, there are a number of misapprehensions and errors in the article that deserve correction.
The first issue concerns the authors' assumption that Emperor Mines Limited, former owners of the Vatukoula Mine, "owe the people of Vatukoula a number of important obligations", including, according to the authors, "millions of dollars worth of redundancy payments still being owed to more than 2000 former employees".
The first error in this assertion is demonstrated by the simple fact that Emperor Mines Limited, an Australian company, did not employ workers at Vatukoula those workers were always employed by Emperor Gold Mining Company (EGM), the Fijian company that still owns the mine.
Further, with financial assistance from EML, the Fijian company had paid out all redundancies and final pays to redundant employees in full by early February this year, and provided far in excess of the statutory notice period for the majority of employees in some cases, nearly four times the period required by law.
The company made a great effort to ensure that wages continued to be paid during this time, as we felt it was important to help provide a safety net following the closure, and over $F9million was paid out in that period.
During the months following the announcement to cease mining, company management ensured there was no interruption to the company-provided hygiene, power and water services to the local community, at significant cost (approximately FJ$1million each month), and despite the political uncertainty in the country at the time.
This was one of the most personally difficult decisions I have had to make I spent seven years living and working at Vatukoula myself years that I count among the best of my working career to date.
My wife is Fijian, and together with our two sons, we maintain close relationships with friends and family "back home".
It is important to remember that when Emperor Mines made the decision to cease mining operations at Vatukoula, our intention was to undertake further exploration at the mine, in order to try and identify sources of gold that could be mined at a profit, allowing the reopening the mine.
The mine had not operated profitably for a number of years, and no company could sustain such losses indefinitely.
The reasons for the closure were communicated to members of the then Qarase Cabinet, in the days immediately before the coup, and company representatives even waited in Suva during the coup and the days following the takeover, in order to continue our discussions with whoever emerged as the Government.
Our proposal at that time was to work with a multi-stakeholder group to deal with the impact of the closure, and to find ways to ameliorate the impact of the closure on the local community.
We applied, through processes defined by law, for a waiver from the lease condition to continuously mine in order to undertake the proposed exploration project, and this remained our intention until the first week of January 2007, at which time, for reasons yet unknown to me, the new military administration occupied a number of key areas of the mine site and placed restrictions on the ability of management to manage and administrate the mine.
These actions impeded the legal right of the company to deal lawfully with its assets, and placed an increasing financial burden on the company.
The sad truth for those who would believe claims of misbehaviour or misappropriation by the company is that the management of the mine, led by the relatively newly appointed general manager Frazer Bourchier, acted with true integrity and transparency in all their dealings regarding the mine closure.
His leadership was some of the best ever experienced at the mine. Mr Bourchier conducted a review of the operation, and in particular its reserves of gold, at my request, as soon as he commenced his duties at the mine, and it is a testament to his professionalism that he responded the way that he did to the negative findings of that review. The mine could not, and would not, make a profit by following the then mining plan, and the only option was to cease mining, stop the financial drain, and undertake further exploration work.
However, following the actions of the military in January, our priority instead became the need to discuss outstanding issues with the interim administration, including, most importantly, the legal waiver we had applied for, the actions of the occupying forces at the mine site, and a return to ordinary lawful management of the mine by the company.
When the Interim Cabinet was eventually formed, it met to consider the matter, and decided that the company must meet certain conditions (ie, those announced following the Cabinet meeting) before it was able to do anything whether a sale OR continued exploration.
These views were articulated through the media, and through dialogue with management representatives.
This necessarily placed onerous restrictions on the options available to the company, as it constrained our ability to freely deal with and manage the assets in accordance with international and national law.
Further, the conditions would have cost the company approximately $54million over two years an unsustainable loss by any method of accounting!
This led, in turn, to the decision by EML to divest all of its Fijian operations a decision that we had to make to protect the interests of our shareholders.
In order to facilitate this, we met with representatives of the Interim Government, including Commodore Bainimarama, Minister for Lands Tevita Vuibau and Chief Secretary Parmesh Chand, with the intention of developing a social assistance package.
It is a reflection of the positive determination of these men, together with the efforts of Mr Bourchier and other company representatives, that an agreement was reached, resulting in a document called the Vatukoula Social Assistance Deed. The deed places a number of important obligations on the parties to the sale of EGM, including a significant cash contribution of $6million for a social assistance trust fund, the granting of large parts of the Vatukoula freehold estate to community ownership, and the granting of community facilities, such as schools, a clinic, police buildings and other structures to the local community.
All of these conditions are aimed solely at providing significant and equal assistance to the community, including former employees (among which I include the 1991 workers) and their families.
For the first time since the inception of the mine, the community would own and control their land and their town facilities, and there would be money available to assist with retraining, relocation or other purposes as determined by the community themselves.
Under the circumstances, the development of the deed was an extraordinary achievement, and shows what a determined group of individuals can achieve, even during the turmoil created by the political events at the time.
The Interim Cabinet approved the deed at a meeting in March, however, delays in considering other conditions regarding future operations at the mine (unrelated to the community assistance package), created an untenable financial situation for the company, and eventually, we were forced to complete the sale, or risk the liquidation of the Fijian operations, which would have likely meant the end of any social assistance, as liquidators would be required by law to serve the interest of trade and company creditors. The sale involved the legal transfer of all assets and liabilities to Westech, and on completion of the sale, Westech became responsible for trade debts, legal issues and all other outstanding liabilities of the mine. The assumption in the article of July 21 that the sale of these assets by Emperor Mines Limited in some way ignores or abrogates community needs is both false and misleading a great deal of effort and resources were put into developing the deed package, in direct response to community concerns.
It is my genuine hope that operational issues between the new owners of the mine, Westech, and the interim Government can be resolved quickly, as this will trigger the obligations of the deed, providing both immediate relief for the Vatukoula community and a mechanism by which all in the community can help determine the future of the town.
These are, without a doubt, extraordinary times, and the difficulties in reaching resolution on these matters have been significant, but, I believe, have resulted in a community assistance package that is fair, and that takes future needs of the community into account.

MEET LUISA NADAKUCA FROM DRAVO, BAU TAILEVU

2007-07-31T17:35:00.000+12:00

SERVICE to the community pays more than status, says Luisa Nadakuca.
Mrs Nadakuca is a Fiji Girl Guides program adviser who just returned from Korea as an observer of the week-long International Girl Guides challenge camp.
She said she was invited to the Girls Guide challenge in Korea and came back with an insight on how the Fiji Girl Guides Association will hold its national camp in December in Nasinu.
A teacher at Dravo District School in Tailevu, Mrs Nadakuca said serving the community was a passion she held close to her heart and carried out in her daily activities.
She is from Dravo and her husband is from Viria in Naitasiri.
They have four children and the eldest son now lives in Germany.
Her second son plays rugby in Malaysia and one of their two daughters is a a student at Suva Grammar School.
She said if young girls joined groups such as the Brownies or the Girl Guides and followed their oaths daily, they would become responsible citizens.
"The kind of character Girl Guides are made off is different because we take an oath and promise to do our duty to God and serve others before ourselves," Mrs Nadakuca said.
"If they follow the Guides' oath and promise daily and the motto of 'being prepared', our Guides will become better citizens.
"For our young women, if they follow the oaths and make it part of their everyday life from when they are at a young age they will become trusted, better and responsible people in life.
"We need loyal people in society to take charge and take our country forward.
"If the government of the day goes back and implements or encourages our young men and women to join such organisations at an early age, they become responsible and trusted individuals.
"To be a volunteer, don't expect to get any special treatment because service is the greatest career in life."
Mrs Nadakuca said society today lacked loyal and responsible characters to lead the country.
She started as a Brownie in 1961 as a student of Dravo District School.
From Dravo, she went on to attend Ballantine Memorial School at Delainavesi and then studied to be a teacher at the Nasinu Teachers College in 1976.
Since then, she has climbed the ladder from the Brownies, Girl Guides, Ranger, youth leader, district commissioner to divisional commissioner and now to executive member of the Fiji Girl Guides.
"In doing service to the community as a Guide, you get to meet people you would not expect to meet such as the Governor-General of New Zealand or members of the Australian parliament.
"As a Guide, one of the opportunities you get is to travel around the world to places many dream of visiting such as India where we visited Gandhi's palace.
"I have been to New Zealand, Mumbai in India, Tonga, the Cook Islands, Australia, Singapore, Germany and just came back from Korea.
"These are some places most people in Fiji do not get to visit.
"When we travel through airports outside Fiji, we are ushered through without going through checks because of the trust we have earned from the uniform we wear but unfortunately, we do not receive the same treatment when we get back home."
In 1998, Mrs Nadakuca received the Order of Fiji and in 2003 she received the Quality Teacher Award.
Besides being involved with Girl Guides work and teaching, Mrs Nadakuca is also involved in church activities and fellowship programs. In sports, she was the president of the Tailevu Netball Association from 2004 to 2005.

MEET LITIA NAITANUI OF VUTIA, REWA

2007-07-30T22:28:00.000+12:00

LIFE has not been easy for Litia Naitanui but it has not stopped her from doing what any normal person can do.
Litia, 45, is from Vutia, in Rewa, and is a kindergarten teacher in one of the village schools.
Although she is unable to walk properly, Litia has never let that stand in her way.
She proudly joined other people in getting qualifications from the Fiji Institute of Technology.
Whats more, she makes full use of traditional skills to weave mats.
The mats Litia weaves are only presented to the chief.
"When I was in the village school I always liked weaving mats," she said.
"We used to weave baskets and mats, so that is why at this stage I like to do mat weaving and baskets.
"I have four sisters and a brother and they all live in Suva."
She attended Lomaivuna Primary School and Lomaivuna High School, in Naitasiri, before studying secretarial studies at FIT for three years.
Litia then returned home and started teaching at the Tavuya Kindergarten School in Rewa.
"My grandmother taught me how to weave this kind of mat, which is special to Vutia," she said.
"This mat is special because the corners are different.
"It has different designs at the corners from the rest of the mat."
Litia sells the mat at times but it is not for business.
She weaved two mats during the Melanesian Arts Festival last year, with one taken by the US Embassy and the other sold.
"I do not sell mats but when a person wants to buy it, the price will be determined by the buyer," Litia said. Normally the mats can be bought for $20-$25.
"I was born physically disabled and sometimes it is hard to get things I want," she said. "When I want to go to some places it is very hard to go especially in hilly, sloppy and slippery places."
"Sometimes I encourage myself or force myself to go and get what I need and things that I want and not rely on people in helping me just because I am disabled." She is now staying with her mother in the village and in the weekdays she lives in a house provided by the school she teaches at.
Litia said life was hard when she was a young girl since there were five of them in the family and they had only a small family income.
"We faced difficulties in education. My parents sold agriculture produce to earn money, selling coconuts and root crops," she said.
"But I always helped my parents in weaving baskets, mats and then helping to sell and then from that we earned money to support our education."
She has been a kindergarten teacher for 11 years.
"I teach young girls in the village the art of weaving. Some village women come to learn as well." she said.
"I told them that I faced difficulties and financial problems when I was studying and that if they knew some of these skills like weaving mats, it would generate income for their education or for their children.
"If I can do these things with my disability, then we should not look at the disability but look at the ability that we have."
Her message is "do not judge yourself by your disability, judge yourself with what you can do".
"Some of us with disabilities are looked down on but the ability that we have I can challenge you and everybody that if I can do you can do it," she said.
She is president of the Rewa Disabled Peoples Association and while she is in Suva, visits the head office and shares the problems faced by the people in the Rewa district.
She wants to help all people with disabilities in Rewa.

MEET DEVANGI JOGIA

2007-07-23T21:51:00.000+12:00

Despite being married and having a family to look after, Devangi Jogia went ahead to chase her dream.
The young and successful Devangi always dreamt of being a beauty therapist.
Today, the 23-year-old siren has achieved that dream by becoming the owner of Studio 21, a beauty saloon located in Pacific House, on Butt Street, in central Suva.
"I always had an interest and desire to treat peoples face and give them good looks," she said.
"This isn't just a business for me. It means a lot to give satisfaction and the look they desire to my customers," she said.
People go to Devangi with their skin problems and, she says, she is always glad she is able to help them out.
"I feel so happy when I advise people on their problems and later I come to know that those problems have gone away," she said
She is originally from India but has been living in Fiji for the past 10 years.
Besides caring for the people, Devangi loves cooking and reading in her spare time.
Devangi attended Mahatma Gandhi Memorial High School, in Vatuwaqa, Suva, from form three to six.
After that she went studied to become a beauty therapist, attaining a diploma in beauty therapy from the South Pacific Academy of Beauty Therapy.
She specialises in facial, manicure, pedicure, waxing, massaging, threading, henna designing and many other treatments.
She believes marriage should not stop a person from attaining goals in life.
"The fact that I was married didn't stop me from reaching for my goals.
"There was a lot of encouragement from my husband and other family members. They supported me greatly. Without them I wouldn't have recognised my talents and my capabilities," she said.
"After all, I only received my diploma after getting married.
"The credit goes to my family for whatever I have achieved."
She admits it was not easy when she first opened her salon.
She said she had an assistant who did not look after her customers very well and she often got complaints from people.
"I had to study, besides being married so it was difficult as well.
"But my family was very supportive and that helped me come across all the obstacles," she said.
Her advice to women is that marriage should not be a hindrance in life.
Instead, it should become one's strength.
"Everyone should set goals for themselves and try to achieve them in every way possible.
"You just might not know what you are capable of doing."
She always was ambitious, saying that was what kept her going.
She says often her clients seek personal advice from her and she is always willing to share. That personal touch is slowly but surely helping her succeed in her ultimate aim.
But owning and running her own her is not the end of the road for this talented woman.
Business is quite slow but she hopes it will pick up towards the end of the year.
Her ultimate aim is to become the best beauty therapist in the country.
To all young scholars who want to become beauty therapists, Devangi says it is a challenging and interesting field.
"You should follow your dreams and one day you will find out that it has come to be true."

MEET LETILA MITCHELL

2007-07-23T06:20:00.000+12:00

What makes the Pacific so unique. We could come up with many answers but our rich multi-cultural set-up is an example of why we are a colourful bunch of people.
Many different races and religions as well as cultural and ethnic backgrounds form our Pacifc community today, and with this comes many distinctive ways of living.
Different food, languages, customs and traditions, religion makes an interesting mix of Pacific Islanders.
Another thing we are all proud of is our various forms of dances to express moods and occasions.
Dance is a very unique way of expressing our many varied stories.
Much research has been done on the one word "DANCE" with several books written on it. Here in TRNi, we have dance programs introduced through several dance groups some most prominent are the Oceania Dance group, the TRNi Institute of Technology Music and dance classes, the Indian Cultural Center dance group lead by Shobna Channel, to name a few.
Several religious communities express their message of faith through dancing.
Through dance, we as a society develop skills, knowledge and understanding and at the same time learn to be open-minded to new ideas and accept many perspectives.
So it can also be said that art and dance go hand in hand.
Dance is a unique expression of culture and essential to artistic, social and cultural learning. When in art form, one gets to see and perceive the symbolic and best representation of cultural expression at its highest essence. Through art form the dance significance and beauty will remain forever.
Many art collectors have items of dance in many forms. Dance in art form can be perceived as something emotional, happy and beautiful as well as something of great magnitude.
Last week an Art Exhibition at the Alliance Francaise saw some great work from artists. One such artist and dancer was our former Miss Hibiscus Letilla Mitchell, who also was the 1st Runner-up in the exhibition.
When you approach her two displays of "Polynesia

MEET RAJESH KARNA

2007-07-21T16:06:00.001+12:00

HE pulled out of school at the age of eight because his parents had died and there was no one to pay for his school fees.
Rajesh Karna was a Class Three student of Vunivutu Primary School in Labasa, in 1975 when his world fell apart.
Now, 32, and an accomplished entertainer, Rajesh readily admits a poor background, saying he and his family were so poor that he was "lucky to have eaten an egg a day".
"At that time an egg cost 15cents and if I bought one, I considered myself very lucky because my parents never wasted money on such food," he said.
"They would rather keep the money to buy vegetables which fed the family instead of one egg for one person."
Faced with survival early on, Rajesh knew he had to work hard because he did not want to end up in the same situation as his parents.
"Not that I blame them for being poor," he is quick to point out.
"I totally understood their situation but the change was because I knew I could do it.
"I knew I could make a change in my life and live a better life ... where I could financially support myself."
Today he earns a living entertaining people at weddings and church gatherings.
Rajesh is well known in the Northern Division for the amusing characters he portrays and the dances he performs something that puts a lot more than just an egg into his belly.
As part of his entertainment, Rajesh plays the guitar, is a dab hand on the organ and hammers away at a drum slung across his chest.
For entertaining at weddings, Rajesh earns between $200 to $500 a night.
With that money, he supports his younger sister.
"Although she is married, I help her out whenever I can because our parents are no longer around to help so it is my duty as the eldest child to help my younger sister," Rajesh said.
"I have many customers in the division and am booked almost every weekend.
"So in a weekend, I can earn up to $500 and that is good money because it has helped me pay my bills and my travel expenses around the area."
Rajesh, who says he got his name because his father was die-hard fan of former Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna, is equally in demand at Christian gatherings.
He proved that by first singing a Methodist and then the Catholic hymn Lomalagi vanua tautani, clicking time with his fingers.
"I sing with Catholic and Methodist church members in villages in Bua. Everyone there knows me," he said. "I play the piano and the guitar but if it's for the church, then I don't charge because it's for God and only he has helped me with my work."

MEET FRED ARCHARI

2007-07-20T22:51:00.000+12:00

The former president of the Fiji Pensioners Association, Fred Archari, will soon be leaving for Australia but will remain a member of the association. He talks to DORINE NARAYAN about the association, its roles, what it has achieved and what it hopes to achieve in the future for the members.
TIMES: Can you tell us about the Fiji Pensioners Association and its roles?
ARCHARI: According to the Constitution, we promote and protect and the interest of the members the pensioners and their spouses and children directly or indirectly relating to or affecting their pension benefits.
The Constitution allows anyone who receives pension benefits from any source to become members of the association and to ensure that they get their benefits is our job.
TIMES: In what ways has the association progressed since it started in 1973?
ARCHARI: The number of people who have become members of the association has grown immensely.
We started with 50 members but today the membership has gone to almost 1900. Since we started, there have been several negotiations which were fruitful.
In 1978 we negotiated successfully with the government for COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustment) to be paid to pensioners whenever it is paid to civil servants on the same rate as applicable to civil servants.
This has been done over the years and is the practice now.
Before, pensioners were having 40 per cent of their pension money paid to spouses and dependents but now the spouses and dependents are receiving 60 per cent of the pensioners' money.
The changes were made in 2000 after a submission was made by the association.
The pensioners had been paying income tax on their pension but the association successfully negotiated with the Government to give total exemption to all the pensioners.
This was accepted initially for local pensioners only and in 1989 we got the Government to agree to give total tax concession to pensioners living abroad as well.
Previously, we were not given any office to operate from but now we have this office with the kind courtesy of the Public Service Commission.
TIMES: What are some of the things that have yet to be achieved by the association which it had been pushing for?
ARCHARI: It is not very easy for the association to achieve a lot of things because we are not a trade union but at the mercy of the Government.
I think, generally, the Government has been quite receptive to our requests.
We are looking forward to have free medical benefits such as drugs for the members.
We made a written submission to the previous government and Cabinet was to have come back to us on it but until today, they have not done anything and it seems we really have to press for it.
In the area of transportation, we are asking the Government to give the pensioners some concessions.
At the moment, the members are paying full fare on public vehicles.
We are not asking for members to be exempted from the whole fare but just asking to give us some concessions.
We want this to be legislated in the Land Transport Authority Act.
We had also made a submission for this but it was not successful.
In other countries, pensioners receive a number of concessions which are very low compared to ours.
All Fiji National Provident Fund pensioners should be given COLA on pension benefits because at the moment they are not getting it.
We want 100 per cent benefits to be awarded to the spouses or their dependents when a pensioner dies.
At present, 75 per cent of civil service pensioners are receiving pension benefits below $8840 per annum and this amount is below the poverty threshold.
Pensioners should not be denied the COLA given by the Government.
We insist that all pensioners should be given COLA like other civil servants. This has been a long standing policy of the Government.
Civil servants are getting their COLA on the salary they get and pensioners are getting the benefits on the pension amount they contributed.
Most of the pensioners get retired on a low salary and therefore their pension is low.
TIMES: How has the negotiations with the Government been like in terms of increasing pensions with regards to COLA?
ARCHARI: There are some outstanding COLA benefits that have not been given to the pensioners as yet and we have made a submission on this to the interim Finance Minister and hopefully they are looking into it.
TIMES: What were some of the obstacles faced by the association and how did you manage to overcome them?
ARCHARI: The obstacles were faced with some of the things we could not achieve and this was based on the economic situation in the country.
It was hard to keep in touch with all the pensioners because they are scattered all over the country.
In the old days we had teachers and doctors especially going out to the outer islands and rural places for long periods of time and it was really hard to keep in touch with them and hard to get them to come forward and become members.
Another difficulty we faced was transport the shipping and airstrip services to the outer islands was not very efficient and they were major obstacles in us getting hold of more members and updating the present ones.
So it took a lot of time to even get the members to receive their pension benefits. When our members leave for places in the interior places when they retire, we did our best to ask them to come back but this did not always happening. But despite all these, we still tried to gather as many members as possible.
TIMES: What areas would you like the Government to look into in future to help contribute to the progress of the association?
ARCHARI: We have asked the Government to give us a suitable site where we can build our headquarters.
We have already made an application to the Lands Department for an area at Nasese and it is a part of the parliamentary complex being developed.
The Government has shown some interest in it but they have to get back to us on it.
Second, we want 100 per cent pension benefits to be given to the spouses or dependents or members.
I don't see a problem in that. At present, they are being given only 60 per cent and this 60 per cent is further reduced by 12.5 per cent VAT.
It is not fair on the Government to follow this policy.
TIMES: How has the response from the members been like since you took up the post?
ARCHARI: The response from the members has been great since I came in.
Their support had given me great encouragement to continue with the association.
The confidence the members had in me has been clearly shown with me being their choice for rep for the past 12 years.
They wanted me to continue but the circumstances have changed now.
I have to leave to spend some time with my children in Australia.
TIMES: How long have you been with the association and what has been your experience of working in such a field?
ARCHARI: I have been with the association for 12 years and it was my part-time job.
I was a divisional planning officer for the Ministry of Rural Development.
I was vice-president of the association and was selected president in 1995.
The experience has been very rewarding and whatever I have achieved for the association has been very satisfying. It gives me a good feeling to know I was able to help the pensioners' quality of life.
It is more like a voluntary organisation because some of the people in the organisation such as the treasurer and secretary are not being paid for their efforts.

MEET KEMUELI DAKAI FROM YASAWA

2007-07-19T05:25:00.000+12:00

Giving up something you have a passion for is not easy and it takes some time before you can pick up the momentum of life.
This was how 60-year-old Kemueli Dakai felt when he was farewelled at the Quarantine Office in Suva.
With Quarantine officers from Sigatoka, Lautoka, Nadi and Savusavu present for the farewell, it was a day Dakai would cherish for the rest of his life.
Dakai as he was called by those who worked with him, served for 36 years with the Ministry of Agriculture, beginning first as a casual employee before making his way up the ladder of success.
"I joined the service in 1967 under the leadership of Berenado Vunibobo who was working in Lautoka at the time," said Dakai.
"At that time I was assisting vet officers in the construction of fences at Uluisavou in Ra for the cattle farm and it was all a new experience for me and I loved every minute of it," he grinned.
After spending three years in Lautoka, he was appointed as a quarantine examiner in Nadi.
"I remember clearly my first day there where I was told to wear our uniform which was a pair of khaki shorts, khaki shirt and white long socks," he laughed.
"In Nadi I was involved in the boarding of airplanes and whilst still working there, there was an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease and as a precautionary measure we were instructed to spray chemicals on all door mats in the airport and inspect all passengers," said Dakai.
In 1975 he was appointed to the permanent establishment as a senior technical assistant and remained in Nadi until 1990 when he was promoted to agriculture technical officer.
In 2000 he was transferred to post entry quarantine in Koronivia. He attended two training workshops abroad, in 1990 in New Caledonia on fumigation and certification of imports/exports and in 1996 he attended his second course in New Zealand on quarantine attachment.
"You just have a different attitude altogether when you are at work and you know that you have been given responsibilities that you have to perform no matter what and that was the thrill of working for me," he smiled.
"I always loved the challenge and I guess I was brought up that way by my parents and all those who helped in my upbringing."
Delivering a farewell speech, director quarantine Hiagi Foraete said Dakai was going to be missed by those who worked with him and valued his friendship.
"You were an asset to the Department of Quarantine and always will be as our door will always be open to you for your ideas and advice," said an emotional Mr Foraete.
"Thank you very much for your tireless efforts and your dedication during your time with us and I am sure other officers of the department who could not make it to this special day to farewell you will always hold you in their hearts as a father and a mentor," said Mr Foraete.
Dakai addressed the staff and said he was going to miss the hard work and the laughter he had shared with them.
"It's going to take me some time to settle down to island life because I have been used to the hustle and bustle of the office but it will certainly remain a fond memory for me," Dakai said. "We faced a lot of hardships while working in Nadi but through dedication and hard work we persevered through all the hard times just to see that we delivered our services to the best of our abilities."
The Malakake villager from the beautiful Yasawa Islands says life for him now would be on the slow lane as he wants to savor every minute of it.
Dakai said he would take back all the good memories and would spend time with relatives and take more walks on the beach while watching the sun set at his village.

MEET KATALAINI WAIBUTA FROM CICIA, LAU

2007-07-18T06:24:00.000+12:00

LIFE in the islands may sound idyllic but the truth is far from the picture postcard perfection most people imagine.
People who live on outer islands and in the interior of the main islands have to struggle and work hard to get by.
For those on the islands, inter-island trading vessels are usually their only link to other communities while those in the interior often rely on horses or their feet for transportation.
Today people flock from village life for urban centres in search of education and employment.
In all such movements, parents want their children to become somebody in life and that is how a well-spoken island girl went on to become a teacher.
Being encouraged when she was young gave her added impetus to work towards her dream.
The village setting is not a new environment for her because she was brought up in a similar environment.
A simple island girl, Katalaini Waibuta, 41, from Tarukua, Cicia, Lau, was born and bred in the village.
She is the second eldest among five siblings, all of whom were taught by their parents to work hard and persevere in life.
"Father was of a great inspiration,"she said.
"He was a Post Master at the time with his little salary he was able to pay the school fees for my brothers and sisters,"she said.
Katalaini is married to Saimoni Waibuta of Burebasaga, in Rewa, and they have two daughters and a son.
A graduate of the Lautoka Teachers College and a teacher for 19 years, she has worked in rural island schools as well in the urban setting.
She says having taught in Fiji-Indian-run schools, she learnt a lot and that is why she is desperate to do well.
"So I try to make a difference in the Fijian schools that I go to."
It was with that mind-set that she went back to teach at Cicia District School in her village before moving for five years to Kavala Bay Primary School.
"By the end of 1993, I bought a house in Davuilevu, Nausori, which is of great help, especially in trying to meet payments. I found that living in towns is not easy,"said Katalaini. "We have a car now but it is not easy owning one. The high school boarding upbringing helped me try harder and never give up,"she said.
Apart from teaching at the Davuilevu Methodist Primary School, Katalaini is a Scouts District Commissioner for the Nausori District.
She trains young Scouts to become good citizens and responsible leaders of tomorrow.
"With the skills they have now, we have to motivate and encourage them to keep on trying to do their best in order to love God and their country."
She said being away from home when she went to the University of the South Pacific to pursue further studies and raising a family proved a great challenge.
Katalaini made a sacrifice for studies, leaving home to stay on campus so she could keep focussed on her dream.
She tries her best to complete her assignments on time and to study hard before her final examinations.
Katalaini said there she had friends, lecturers and others who helped her achieve her dreams.
"Back in the village, I used to visualise coming to Suva for an education, before finding a job or even going overseas,"she said.
"I am happy with my achievements and I try to help young ones to dream of big things in life, to widen their reach and imagination, so if they do not get there, at least they feel good about themselves.
On top of her responsibilities, Katalaini helps out in the church Sunday school because she believes that without God, life is of no value.
Her advice for young people "is to shoot for the moon, and don't worry if you miss it, you will land on the stars. Never give up. Whatever you do, do it sincerely and honestly. Life is full of challenges. Overcoming them makes you strong.

MEET FILIMONI TAUBALE

2007-07-17T22:28:00.001+12:00

Being handicapped should not prevent one from working and this is what 36-year-old Filimoni Taubale wants to prove.
The fact that he is confined to a wheelchair yet shines shoes for a living is an example for a lot of people, of any age.
Arriving in front of the Harbour Centre in the city of Suva in a taxi at 7.30am, Filimoni begins his day and finishes work by 8pm.
"I live with my father and older brother who look after me," he said.
"My mother migrated to America in 2003.
"My father, who was a driver for the Ports Authority, is now retired and my mother used to be a nurse."
Filimoni said his mother was a Tongan and father was a Fijian.
Filimoni has two brothers and one sister and he is the second youngest.
"I am from an average family," he said.
Born healthy, Filimoni says he was mistakenly injected with a wrong medicine when he was one year seven months old which caused his disabilities.
He said he had been able to walk but was confined to the wheelchair in 2002.
Born in Suva, Filimoni attended Hilton Special School and only reached Class 7.
He has been shining shoes for 18 years now and says he began doing this job in front of the Queensland Insurance Arcade before he shifted to the Harbour Centre in 1992.
"I was the first one to start shining shoes in front of Harbour Centre and slowly I met all these friends of mine who began doing the same thing as me," he said.
Everyone has dreams but Filimonis disabilities have deprived him of being able to fulfill many of his.
He dreamed of becoming a businessman but had to resort to shining shoes because of his financial needs and disabilities.
Filimoni spoke about the cruel nature of some people, and said he used to be robbed of his days earnings.
"I only want to get up and walk like I used to and that is all I ask from God every day," he said.
Business for Filimoni is not going so well these days as he earns less than $10 a day now, whereas previously he used to earn $15 to $20 a day.
This however, has not dampened his spirits as he says he still enjoys the work because he makes lots of new friends.
Being wheelchair-bound has not stopped Filimoni from enjoying his life to the fullest.
"During the week, I go for movies with my fellow shoe-shine boys and on Friday and Saturday, I go clubbing," he said.
His advice to people is to continue with their education if they want to fulfill their dreams and look for a brighter future.

MEET ASHOK KUMAR

2007-07-16T22:49:00.001+12:00

One should not stand back and do nothing in life because one was unable to complete his or her studies, is Ashok Kumar's philosophy.
Ashok, 30, runs a shoe and bag repair shop from Nina House, on Robertson Road, in Suva.
"I learnt sewing from the owner of Shammi's Footwear in 1990," he said.
"The shop is closed now but the knowledge and skills remain in me," he said.
"Practice makes perfect and that is exactly what I have been doing to earn a living."
Ashok, who lives at Six Miles, Nasinu, only went up to Class Six.
He started working at age 16 to support his family.
He started off as a sales assistant in a shoe-shop on Cumming Street, Suva.
"I come from a poor family. My parents could not afford to send me to school."
A corner-turned-room under the stairs in Nina House has been used by Ashok for the past 10 years as a shop.
"The idea of opening up a shop was my own as I had keen interest in this trade as this was something I was good at," he said.
He pays $120 monthly to the owners as rent.
Having opened up the shop in partnership with a colleague, Ashok today is the sole owner and reaping the benefits of his hard work.
His charges $2 to $15 for repairs but repairs can cost more, depending on the wear and tear of the item he has to repair.
"I vary my repair prices according to the customer's needs and requirements and give discounts if people are in real need of it," he said.
Mr Kumar said he normally serviced 10 to 15 customers daily but added times were harder now since because "there is so much competition around". "I sell the shoes and bags and at times belts, brought in for repair if customers do not pick them up after 21 days. I have to do that in order to recover costs or else I will be on the losing end."
Ashok is the sole bread-winner looking after his elderly parents, a responsibility he has shouldered for some time.
"I am the youngest, with two elder brothers and three elder sisters who are all married and live separately."
His dedication to support his parents is evident.
As the owner of Ashok's Professional Shoe and Bag Repairs, he wants to expand his business.
"I have given expanding my business a lot of thought but there is always the money factor," he said.
He finds saving money on such a tight budget is difficult, saying it would be a dream come true if he was ever able to expand his business.
Ashok's advice to students is that if someone has to leave school because of financial constraints or any other problem, he or she should never sit down and accept defeat.
"People should learn to earn their own living and not be dependent on anyone," he said.
He said as children, young people should give back to their parents what they had not been able to provide for them.
Ashok believes the failure to attain education simply means one has to look for an alternative trade or skill that is in demand.
It was how he found himself working as a cobbler and supporting his parents.
"This means making good use of one's undiscovered skills," he said.

MEET PREMILA KUMAR

2007-07-15T08:47:00.000+12:00

Premila Devi Kumar is a strong-willed woman, with a true urge to serve people and work for their best interests.
Her name will be familiar to people who have been cheated as a consumer for she is the Consumer Council of Fiji's chief executive officer, being appointed last May because of her personal interest and will to serve the people
"I had always had an interest and desire to assist people and one of the many ways to do this is to make them aware of their rights and obligations as consumers so that they are not unfairly treated by unscrupulous traders and service providers," she said.
"The profile of the council was low and I was interested in turning this important organisation to a level that it should have been rather than just being a passive organisation serving little purpose."
There is no doubt she has ended up in the right place at the right time as Premila said she loves her job and was committed to it.
"It is interesting, challenging and a very important area of intervention by the Government.
"My task here is to empower people on their consumer rights so they don't have to put up with sub-standard products, faulty weights, adulterated food, exorbitant prices, useless guarantees, poor services and a host of other ills," she said.
What triggers her to stay on with the council is seeing people coming to her office everyday because they believe that the council can address their problem.
Her aim is to promote and safeguard the interests of consumers. She is tasked with the responsibility of building a conscious and assertive consumer movement in Fiji.
Her ambition is to educate herself and to serve the people honestly to make a difference in their lives.
On the personal side, she said she wanted to have a close-knit family and was pleased to have achieved that.
Premila believes in honesty, hard work, transparency, accountability, equity, human values and recognition and respect.
"I dislike dishonesty, disregard for the law, rules and procedures and corruption. I dislike lazy people who depend on government for survival rather then believing in themselves that they can make a difference," she said.
She attended Suva Methodist Primary School and Dudley Intermediate before moving to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial secondary school.
The Suva born and bred girl showed leadership skills from an early age, something she is proud of, saying her leadership qualities helped her climb the ladder of success.
"I attended MGM High School and completed my sixth form education," she said. "While at MGM I was the head girl, so leadership came to me early in life.
"I am the eldest in my family so it was with me from the start. High expectations were always there and became a trend for me later in life. One needs maturity and commitment to handle things in this area
"After high school, I pursued a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemistry and Biology from Sophia College (an all- girls institute), in India. At the university, I again took up a number of leadership roles such as being active drama, oratory and debates and on the student council."
The Premila most people know and hear of evolved from teaching field.
"When I returned from India I taught at Dudley High School in the early 1980s before moving to Indian College where I stayed for 10 years teaching Form 6 and 7 Biology.
"I did my post-graduate certificate in education at USP to become a qualified teacher.
"I was the head of science before I joined the Fiji College of Advanced Education in 1994 where I was teaching teachers how to teach.
"I found that very challenging switching from 'chalk and talk' style to discovery and inquiry learning.
"It was difficult to enter the teaching field at the time and I had replaced the teacher who had taught me.
"It was very challenging at Indian College but I like challenges. I like working in the field where things are not perfect because it gives me a new challenge.
"I liked to challenge my students by telling them that 'You can't do it' and that worked well.
"It challenged and gave them a new confidence to prove me that I was wrong. When I am teaching, I mean business.
"Outside the classroom,
"I was different with them and they approached me to speak on any issue and were very comfortable but it was a different story inside the classroom where I demanded respect and expected students to work hard," she said,
Premila stays in touch with some of her students.
She gives her 100 per cent and is completely focused on the tasks she has to perform, ensuring the best results are obtained.
"To me, work is worship because that is my bread and butter. I can't pick the pay package and not do work worth the money," she said.
"I am known for criticisms but criticisms make you better in whatever you do, especially in workplaces. It's like an evaluation.
"My critical thinking has made my career and people know they can't fool around with me."
Premila gave up teaching to take out time for her children who were growing up and needed a mother's attention and care.
"It was difficult to leave teaching because people had the perception that once a teacher, always a teacher.
'After that my interest in environment grew and I began doing research on young people's attitude towards environment."
She then spent the next 10 years in the environment field, contributing to the formation of Fiji's environment legislations. Even though she has departed from the teaching field, it remains her proudest memory.
"I am proud to be a teacher because imparting knowledge is developed here," she said.
"The foundation to build my career and the confidence I needed started in school as a teacher."
Premila has been happily married for 21 years and is proud of her three beautiful children.
Her husband, Jaindra Kumar is Fiji's Trade Commissioner to Australia.
Mr Kumar is originally from Lautoka and the pair was introduced by a relative.
Premila said she had never thought of getting married because of the responsibilities and commitments that go with it but she gave in to the charms of Mr Kumar a decision she says she can never regret.
"I did not want to marry because of the responsibilities and I married late when my parents pressured me that it was time I settled down," she candidly said.
"Jaindra is not a typical Fiji-Indian man and I think that is what clicked between us.
"We created a respectful relationship with great understanding. I have no regrets of getting married," said Premila.
Yamal, 19, her elder son is at Auckland University in his second year of conjoint studies for Bachelors of Commerce LLB.
Daughter Eshmee, 17, is a seventh former at Indian College and her younger son, Shaman, is in year 11 in Sydney.
Shaman lives with his father in Sydney.
A family to Premila means responsibility, sharing and caring, love and affection and above all strength and respect.
"I have an excellent relationship with my family," she said.
"Everyone is important and we discuss issues affecting each and every one of us.
"So teamwork begins at home. We support and stand by each other.
"My family is very close to immediate extended family as well," she said.
Premila spends most of her time with her daughter Eshmee as her husband and two sons are normally away from home.
In this way Premila said she had lesser demands and expectations to fill.
"Yes, my husband is in Sydney doing an important job for Fiji in promoting exports to and investments from Australia.
"Managing the family is not a problem if one organises him or herself well," she said.
She devoted her success to her husband.
"My husband is very supportive, understanding and always encourages me to strive for better.
"Jaindra encouraged me to do my Masters degree.
"He looked after the kids when I was on study leave.
"Even after marriage, I continued with my education because my husband was very supportive and understanding.
"He believes in my ability to deliver and often says nothing is impossible for me to achieve," she said.
"My children are my angels now growing into adolescence. They are lovable and very caring — something they have learnt from my father-in-law and from my mother.
"I am looking forward to the day when they complete their tertiary education, get a good job and settle in their own life," said Premila.
Because of family commitments and Mr Kumar's job, Premila was unable to take up a scholarship to do her doctorate.
She had to choose between a PhD and her family and she chose her family. She doesn't regret giving up that scholarship. Premila said she had to play multiple roles at times but that was not a problem as she easily fits in whatever role that needs her attention.
"I play multiple roles such as a loving mother, caring wife, a responsible daughter and daughter-in-law and a good sister and so on. I am able to easily fit in whatever role that demands my attention," she said.
Premila comes from a well off background.
He father was a businessman who owned the popular Ram Karan Kava shop on Bureta Street, in Samabula.
After her father's death in 1991, the business was handled by her younger brother.
Premila comes from a big family she has three brothers and three sisters. She is the eldest.
"Being the eldest in the family and the first one to go to secondary school (MGM High) was a proud moment for my parents. They had high expectations of me so I was pressured to do my best not to disappoint them."
Her two other brothers, in Sydney and Vancouver, are businessman who import produce, frozen food and vegetables from Fiji for markets where they are.
Their supplier is none other than their younger brother and Premila said she was proud of the way her family business was being handled.
One of her sisters is settled in Sydney, the youngest is a doctor in Auckland and the one in Fiji runs a family shop.
Premila's mother is a social worker who still lives in the family home on Bureta Street.

MEET EMI NAVUNISARAVI

2007-07-14T01:07:00.000+12:00

Vendors selling produce in the markets always have high hopes of making enough money to live again another day.
Unlike many better off families, these people struggle to put food on the table and provide a shelter for their loved ones.
In this new millennium, people in the cities have to pay for everything in order to get by.
In the village, where money is scarce, people have to work equally hard to cultivate the land for the sake of their families.
Being brought up in a poor family, it is never easy to meet the individual needs and the wants of daily life.
One such vendor and a very well-spoken woman is Emi Navunisaravi, 40, of Vunisinu, Dreketi, Rewa, who is shining example of someone who wants to do well.
"Early morning, before sunrise, I usually travel from my village to get to the market just get to a place before others get in there," she said.
She sells coconuts for a saqamoli per heap, vudi, tavioka and fruit juice, with heaps of limes and other in-season produce.
Emi has been selling in the market for only four months and already can see a steady flow of income for her efforts.
She was born in Vunisinu Village, the fifth eldest of 12 children.
"My parents are not well educated and worked as fisherfolk," she said.
"From that came our main source of income for the family.
"Since there are so many of us in the family, my parents struggled with the aim that we may become somebody.
"Life is not easy, not just a flick of a finger, we have to work hard in order to be succeed," she said.
"Dad did own numerous businesses like running a store, a fish market and cattle farm in the village," she said.
"But he did get not up to the standard I expected. A lot of money was wasted and not used for his children's needs," she said.
She said facing such hardships early in life taught her to be independent and to stand on her own feet.
She said by doing that she learnt to believe in herself rather than relying on someone else.
"But as I grew up, I had an urge to work hard and become somebody," she said.
Emi attended Dreketi District School and Assemblies of God High School, in Kinoya, Nasinu.
She reached fifth form when she was told to quit and find a job to help put her younger brothers and sisters through school.
"After I completed my secondary studies, I started work in a straw factory in 1984," she said.
"Two years later, I worked as a baby sitter.
"Later on, in 1986, I got married and I now have two sons to look after.
"My husband is a fisherman who hails from Nalase, Rewa. He is the main breadwinner for the family."
Emi's eldest son is nearing completion of certificate level studies at the FIT Hospitality School in Suva.
"My son still cannot find a job," she said. "So I encourage him to go back to the village and help his father as a fisherman.
"That is just to do something for the time being in order to earn money for the family.
"My younger son follows his elder brother in helping out. Half my earnings go into my bank accounts for my sons.
"I am doing this for my sons' future," she said.
"If you come from a poor family, these two things you should treasure in life, which is to adopt wisdom and have patience in order for you to overcome the hardships of life," she said.
Her younger brother recently left school and is now thinking of getting married, something his siblings are looking forward to.
Emi believes good things in life do not come easy and that people need to work hard and focus on what they want to achieve in life.
"Start from small things in order to achieve bigger things in life," is her motto

MEET MELA NAIDU,LEVUKA TOWN MAYOR

2007-07-12T22:14:00.000+12:00

HER face lit up with a smile and there was a slight twitch of an eyebrow as she started to relate her story.
Sitting like a royal on her throne, Mela Naidu straightened her emerald green blouse and one could tell this was a woman of perfection.
Ms Naidu, as she is commonly known in Levuka, is the first woman to be the mayor of Levuka.
To add to her royal likeness she decided that her interview be done at the one and only town hall, which was built in 1898 in honour of Queen Victoria's 50 years anniversary on the British throne.
It still houses most of Levuka's municipal offices including the mayor's.
She might not be queen of the old capital but she is respected by all who have made Levuka their home.
She is respected for her role in developing Levuka.
Ms Naidu comes from Waibasaga Village in Naitasiri but for the past 10 years has lived in Levuka.
She has been mayor for 10 months but was a town councillor before that.
"It has not been smooth sailing for us," she said.
"We have endured a lot of challenges and we have been able to tackle them with the assistance of the people of Levuka."
Even though she did not grow up in the old capital, she says she is now at home in Levuka.
She did not imagine for one bit that she would become mayor of a town, let alone Levuka on Ovalau.
She gave a smile as she recalled the time she came to Levuka on a visit with her sister.
It was on that trip that she met Manasa Naidu, the man she is now married to. It was as if destiny brought her to Levuka.
They have three children, two at school in Levuka and the oldest at FIT in Suva.
"Something about this place makes you fall in love with it. I cannot express how much I like this place because it is so laid-back and relaxing.
"The sights around town are a perfect setting of living peacefully in Fiji.
"Despite all that our country has been through, Levuka is still the same, nothing has changed.
"One thing about Levuka is that most people know each other and everyone is always ready to lend a helping hand.
"We are all related and there is always someone to fall back to when faced by a problem.
"This is something I admire about this town our race relations is something visitors from other parts of the world and even locals can only marvel at."
She said this was something people of Levuka would always be proud of.
Ms Naidu said she was humbled to be appointed mayor because her role was one that catered for all citizens of Levuka.
"I would not say it is hard but rather challenging to be able to deliver the goods to people of Levuka.
"So far, we are working together to lift the image of our town and it has improved.
"You only have to come here to see it.
"Levuka is a litter-free town.
"This was the initiative of the council and has really gone down well with the people.
"The response we received was great but this is not the end of the plans we have for our lovely town.
"We need to improve on some areas."
So the next time you happen to travel to the old capital, spare a thought for Mela Naidu, the first woman to be Levuka's first citizen, all the way from Naitasiri.

MEET DUKE BRYSON

2007-07-11T23:04:00.000+12:00

HOME is where the heart is and this aptly describes a teenager who just cannot be away for long from his island home town, Levuka.
For Duke Bryson, there is no feeling of comfort and peace when he is away from the old capital and said it was the same for all those who were born and bred in Levuka.
In typical Levuka dialect of mixed Fijian and English, Duke relayed his experience as a young boy looking after the welfare of guests in a lodge in Levuka.
Duke works at Mary's Lodge, a bed and breakfast accommodation on Beach Street.
He describes himself as very entertaining, confident and likes meeting people.
No wonder the 19-year-old lad makes sure that all guests at the lodge are looked after in the most special way and that their stay in the old capital will leave a lasting impression on their minds.
Duke grew up in Levuka and attended Levuka Public School.
He was in Suva for some time but said something kept telling him to go back to Levuka.
Because of the love for his island and girlfriend who is also from Levuka, he decided that he would follow his heart.
Duke starts his day preparing breakfast for the guests, while it not may be continental or English, what Duke prepares is just so homely and simple and a true reflection of a typical Fijian breakfast.
"I'm not the main man who does all the breakfast here. My aunts cook, fry and toast but I am there to help and make sure that everyone in the lodge gets to have theirs," Duke said.
He would be the first one you meet in the corridor setting up the table, nothing fancy, just enough to impress everyone. "Breakfast is usually buttered toast, banana and boiled egg or parale (pancakes)." Duke said some tourists liked parale because it was simple and tasty.
He said they served breakfast in the front lounge to allow people to watch the waves crash into the seawall and breath the fresh morning breeze from the sea.
Apart from preparing meals, Duke sees that the floors are mopped and in true Fijian style, he makes sure all guests take off their shoes at the door.
"I do the sweeping and mopping and make sure that the furnitures are in place in the rooms as well as in the lounge," he said.
"It may not be the kind of work that most 19-year-olds would love to do but I can say that I enjoy every minute of the work I do.
"Even when I clean the toilets and scrub the bathrooms I enjoy it because I know people would love to come to the lodge if it is clean and tidy.
"I enjoy being busy doing something worthwhile.
"There were opportunities for me to continue my studies but I really just wanted to be in Levuka and be with my girlfriend."
Duke said it was important for him to be friendly to all visitors who entered the lodge.
"I make sure I talk to them in a respectable way and make them feel at home," he said.
Duke said he would love to join the school of hotel and catering in the future and expand his knowledge and skills in the hospitality industry.
"If I join catering school and when I complete my training, I'd love to come back to Levuka and continue to work in an environment that is relaxed and laid-back like the old capital," he said.

2007-07-10T21:40:00.000+12:00

MEET JOHN KHAN

Although he lives in Australia, John Sharif Khan, 51, has great memories of his life here in Fiji.
His father was a Christian and his mother a Muslim and they were the only Fiji-Indian family living in a bure in Raiwai when he was a small boy.
"The greatest memory that I have about my childhood days is that, once I got sick and some villages came and when they saw me, they went barefoot in the night to get herbal medicine for me," he said.
"The screams and tears of my mom brought the villagers to my home and they helped us," he said.
He went to Marist Brothers' Primary School and then to Cathedral Secondary School.
"As a primary school boy with no knowledge of the West, I used to march against nuclear testing in the Pacific," he said.
After his education, he stayed in Fiji for two years and then went to Australia to work.
"I have worked in the hotel industry in Australia and have been manager of drama shows," he said.
He is in Fiji to shoot movies.
He has lived in Australia for more than 30 years but has visited his motherland several times to shoot films.
"My grandfather came from India and lived in Fiji as a girmitiya (indentured labourer)," he said.
"I am more Australian than Fijian but I love Fiji," he said.
"All the things in Fiji are so beautiful."
He said people were more spiritual here, saying Australians were more materialistic.
He said despite having to live in a bure, he and brothers were given a solid education. "I have a lot of pride in Fiji," he said.
He does drama shows on the girmit era in Fiji and wants to shoot a movie here.
"The show will be multi-cultural," he said.
He has three brothers and two sisters who attended Suva Methodist primary and Dudley High schools.
"Before I was born in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, there was a call for migration to England by an English doctor whom my father worked for.
"It was free migration with a house provided but my parents rejected the offer," he said.
"I am so thankful to my mom and dad for taking good care of and getting us educated although we were poor," he said.
"As a little boy my father was liked by all the villagers and the European settlers encouraged my father to send his son to learn cooking," he said.
"I tell the Australians about life in the village and my speech starts with I come from the island of love'," he said.
"We were a true family where dad worked as a cook and as a night watchman and my mom stayed at home," he said.
"Our house was a shack but it was a diamond in the dirt," he said.
He said he always wanted to see people happy.
"I am a motivational speaker and speak from my heart," he said.
In addition, he is a singer and a song writer.

2007-07-09T22:05:00.000+12:00

MACUATA VILLAGERS PROTECT MARINE AREAS

THE people of the Nabekavu, Dreketi, Macuata, Sasa and Mali have, in the past two years, implemented set actions for the use of their i qoliqoli (fishing ground) .
They have successfully set aside nine areas, totalling 117 square kilometres within the i qoliqoli as tabu (marine protected area), for the purpose of restocking the i qoliqoli.
The people of the Qoliqoli Cokovata are talking about larger fish caught near the shore as in the past and different types that had not been seen in recent years are surfacing again.
"This week we went out fishing everyday and came back with a full catch compared to few years ago when we would go out one day and have a good catch and the next three to four days we would hardly catch anything," said Emosi Baya, one of the qoliqoli committee members from Nakawaga, Mali Island.
"These changes have increasingly attracted illegal fishers into the i qoliqoli and the tabu areas," said Baya.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund) Fiji and partners (government, FLMMA) are working with the Macuata communities by assisting in the development and implementation of resource management plans.
It is also educating and training the community to undertake activities outlined in their management plans, training fish wardens and building community capacity (through household financial literacy training, community messaging, community biological and socio-economic surveys).
With WWFs support ending in three years, there is a commitment by WWF to assist the qoliqoli committee to secure funding with which the qoliqoli communities will continue to manage their i qoliqoli.
Long term finance
A 12 month fundraising plan (May 2007 to June 2008), with four activities, targeting $100,000, has been developed to generate funding for the management of the i qoliqoli, spearheaded by the Qoliqoli Cokovata management committee of the vanua of Nabekavu, Tikina Dreketi, Macuata, Sasa and Mali.
"A review of the 2004 management plan showed that the qoliqoli committee lacked dedicated funds or a plan to seek funds for the implementation of this plan which includes the actions by fish wardens in stemming illegal fishing," said Sanivalati Navuku, Project officers, WWF Fiji Programme.
The first fundraising event is the upcoming Great Sea Reefs (GSR) sevens rugby tournament, on November 9-10 at the Subrail Park, in Labasa. The tournament targets to raise $15,000.
Ten top national teams will be invited to participate, with part of their travel and accommodation costs supported by the qoliqoli committee through sponsorship.
A total of 56 teams are expected to participate, including boys teams of 17, 16, 15, 12, 9. The inclusion of the boys team is expected to pull in parents and families to travel to the games venue in Labasa.
Mr Baya who is involved in the fundraiser said, "the GSR sevens is not just to raise money but will help i qoliqoli owners to come together to work towards the protection of their natural resources. Working to manage our i qoliqoli has brought many of us together, from the inland villages and coastal villages for the first time. Some of us are visiting some i qoliqoli in other villages for the first time as well."
"When WWF started this project (MPA) in 2004, I was the only representative from the island of Mali.
"Today the number of representatives from Mali and other villagers has increased," he said.
"These efforts are helping re-establish our traditional links."
Other fundraising activities by the qoliqoli committee includes inviting 50 selected people in Fiji to become honorary qoliqoli owners, targeting $9000, connecting qoliqoli members living outside of Fiji, targeting $10,000 and village based fundraising and dinner by invitation, targeting $42,000.
"Effort is being made to increase the communities' involvement and participation in the management of their resources. The communities need to take ownership in protecting their natural resources starting with MPA projects," said Sanivalati Navuku, Project officer, WWF Fiji.
Fiji's precious marine ecosystem is under attack from overfishing, unsustainable and destructive harvesting of live coral and exotic fish for aquarium, and increasing levels of pollution. Climate change is also playing its part in the degradation of the marine environment.
In November 2005, seven chiefs of the province of Macuata launched the first of the country's networks of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the Great Sea Reef, the third largest barrier reef in the world.
This came about as a result of the Great Sea Reef survey, a first in the area, conducted in 2004 with the support of WWF and partners, which highlighted its unique biodiversity. WWF has witnessed the benefits of MPAs to biodiversity and marine resources and the people who rely on them around the world.
Hence it is supporting the Government and the people of Fiji in the development and implementation of its commitment to have 30 per cent of the country's EEZ under MPAs by 2020.
Together with FLMMA and other key organisations, WWF is facilitating policy dialogue, scientific research, community capacity building and financing.

2007-07-09T21:13:00.000+12:00

MEET MAYURI CHANDRA

SURVIVAL of the fittest is the belief of 23-year-old Mayuri Chandra, a science student at the University of the South Pacific.
Mayuri, a strong career-focused person has never doubted her capabilities but striving high is what she has always believed in.
What is more important for her is believing in oneself and trying to stand out in the crowd by trying to be the best in the field she chooses.
She is majoring in chemistry for her Masters but to complete her degree she majored in biology and chemistry at USP.
Mayuri's passion for chemistry is quite evident.
She was once offered an AUSAid scholarship but turned it down.
"I was offered the scholarship for my MBBS but because of some family commitment, I had to turn the offer down," she says.
Mayuri comes from Ba.
She finished her degree and post-graduate diploma in chemistry at USP before she was offered a Taiwan-sponsored scholarship in February to complete her Masters.
"I was looking for work after completing my degree but found none and then this scholarship came and I am able to further my studies."
Mayuri was the only student in her lot to be awarded the Taiwan scholarship for students in her research field.
She sees it as a great achievement for her but more as a reward for her hard work in her chosen field.
Her research project is aimed at detecting and isolating bioactive compounds in a marine sponge and a terrestrial plant and characterising isolated compounds using spectroscopic analysis.
According to Mayuri, choosing the marine research field was her way out of the family tradition where arts and not science dominated.
She says she was inspired by scientists since her childhood and choosing a science field was her way of exploring new and exciting things.
"I have always admired scientists since they come up with new and interesting things every now and then," she says.
"I feel it is through them that we have progressed in technology and medicine and it was what pushed me to join the research side."
She was awarded a scholarship by the French Embassy to do research in marine and plant natural products in New Caledonia.
Mayuri says she would later travel to France for further analysis of her samples.
She prefers to remain in the research field in future as she finds it challenging and exciting.
"This field is not like some of the other jobs where everything is set to a routine and you have to do the same thing over and over again," she says.
Mayuri feels all one needs to be successful is motivation and belief in oneself and God.
"My parents and supervisors have been my mentors who have inspired me and made me realise what I am capable of," she says.
"My inquisitive nature and self-drive has been my formula."
Mayuri has had a nomadic school life as her father retired manager of the Bank of Baroda took them where he was posted around Fiji.
She is the younger of three siblings.
Her older brother and sister are abroad.
She likes people who are fun-loving, cheerful and friendly.
Her hobbies include reading, travelling, socialising, listening to music and swimming. Standing out in the crowd is her advice to all the young scholars.
"Since everyone these days are competitive, I would advise them to go for the highest competition they can get," she says. "It is the best person who always wins in the end and so being the best."

2007-07-08T06:27:00.000+12:00

MEET CHIRANJILAL GANESH

Chiranjilal Ganesh reckons Labasa is a good place to live in.
Ganesh, 60, a descendant of the girmitiyas was born and raised in Vunika and is married with six children. Selling produce at a roadside market, he maintains a positive outlook.
Like his forefathers, Ganesh continues to live off the land, working his brother's farm, and selling produce at his mini-market.
"Fiji is a good place to live in," he says.
"I love this place. I've lived here all my life.
"Whatever people say, I still believe Labasa is a good place to live."

2007-07-07T23:16:00.000+12:00

MEET EDWARD RAO

Edward Rao, 45, is so fascinated by the beautiful sites Fiji has that he has turned it into a career.
Rao is a tour guide and the senior travel consultant with Good Time Charter and Tours, where he has been working for six years.
He was born in a Fiji Sugar Corporation quarters, in Lautoka, the third eldest of three siblings.
Edward's childhood dream was to become a teacher.
"When we used to attend school, my brothers and sisters and I used to admire the teachers," he said
"After school my sister and I would play student and teacher at home.
"But as I grew my admiration for other work grew."
Edward attended Lautoka Methodist and Nadi Muslim High School.
He was a voluntary teacher at the Lautoka Methodist School from 1985 to 1987.
"After completing my Form Six studies, I worked as a casual labourer at the Lautoka Mill.
"I was called in for painting a section of the mill.
I carted sugarcane from Savusavu, Nadi, to Lautoka Mill on locomotives.
"I used to wake up at 3am as I required to be at work at 4am. At 5am my workmates and I left for Savusavu," he said.
Edward said he worked diligently because he was grateful for the encouragement of his parents, Krishna and Parwati Rao.
"They helped me in my bad times as well as my good," he said.
"My mom supported my every decision and helped me make the right ones.
"I am very thankful to them for what they have done for me.
"They used to tell me that one cannot succeed without struggling to make his stand. In 1987, just two days before the coup, I moved to Suva. I got a job with Cakacaka Travels and Tours as a tour guide.
"My boss, Seva Banuve, trained me as a travel consultant. He sent me to attend workshops on tourism to extend my skills in marketing and promoting Fiji abroad. I was very outspoken, so that's why my chose me." In 1989, Edward started his own travel agency called Rainbow Travel Agent.
"The industry was not booming and we made little out of it."
So he closed his agency and in 2002 joined Good Time Charter and Tours.
"My job is to promote Fiji abroad and tell the tourists how best Fiji can be and inform them what the paradise Fiji is.
"When we get tourists, the response we get from is very good as 80 per cent of the tour is around villages.
"The tourists are fascinated with the Fijian way of life.
"They enjoy feasting on lovo and taking walks in the jungle. They enjoy picking up coconuts, watching wild pigs and swimming in the sea.
"During a tour, we go to five villages a day.
"I enjoy my job because I like meeting new people and getting to know more about their country.
Sometimes we have tourists who are very depressed and have come to a new place to relax.
"Sometimes they want someone who will listen to them, and in that case we, as guides, become their friends.
"I do not go to nightclubs, I don't smoke and I stay away from liquor.
"My mom told me to stay away from these things when I was in Class 8. I have heeded her advice," he confessed.
Edward is a divorcee and has a 15 year-old son, Eron Sumit Rao, who lives in California, USA, with his maternal grandparents.

MEET ILIKENA WAQABACA

2007-07-05T23:13:00.000+12:00

ILIKENA Waqabaca has been fighting fires for 15 years and says he enjoys it.
The senior officer at the Lami fire station loves what he is doing that he is not thinking of leaving the high risk job.
The 43-year-old native of Ono-i-Lau became a fireman in 1992 and within five years was promoted to be a senior officer of the National Fire Authority.
"My parents are from Ono-i-Lau but they moved to Vunimono Village in Nausori because they were teachers," he said.
"Most of my relatives have moved to Viti Levu but I go back to the island now and then, during the holidays."
Ilikena has a younger sister and brother.
"My job starts at nine in the morning and ends at nine the next morning," he said, meaning that he and other firemen were on call 24 hours a day.
"But we do get a lot of rest."
In accordance with international standards, firemen must rest for 48 hours after a 24-hour shift.
Apart from putting out fires, Ilikena also mans the control room.
"My work is challenging and that's why I like it.
"In fire fighting, you go to places where no one would go.
"Some of the greatest fires I have fought were the ones at MH's and the Hanson's supermarket at Makoi.
"Those fires were big but my colleagues and I managed to put them out.
"The important thing in our job is working together."
He said he believed the nature of the job was why he and his colleagues shared a special bond.
"We are like a big family and when we fight big fires, that relationship helps bind us together and put out the fire.
"We look after each other's back to see if any of our friends are in danger."
Before joining the service, Ilikena had been a private in the Fiji Military Forces for five years.
"My childhood dream was to join the army because I used to watch a lot of movies and I was excited about the work military people did.
"I was successful in the army but most of my relatives were in the fire department and after talking to them, I was drawn to their work.
"I wanted another challenge in my life and that is why I made the career change."
Ilikena said his late uncle, Isireli Qasenivalu, who was the chief fire officer at Lami fire station, inspired him to join the fire department.
Another influential person in his life was his father, Tevita.
"My father told us to go school and find a job. If we did not want to go to school, there was a special farming school back in the village. He always wanted us to get a good job and we made sure we found one or we would be transferred back to Ono-i-Lau."
Being raised on the island, when he is not at work, Ilikena is usually sweating it out in his plantation.
"I go to my dalo and cassava patch to do some planting. Sometimes I wait for my children to come back from school and we go to the plantation together.
"I enjoy spending time with my family and we often go fishing."
Ilikena is married to Sainiana and they have five sons and five daughters.
"We are religious and it helps our lives lot. It also gives me strength to fight and overcome problems in life.
"I am the sole breadwinner in my family and it has been God's blessings and my wife's support that helped us succeed."
When asked if he had any pearls of wisdom to share, he said families needed to be vigilant with their young wards.
"Keep a close watch on your children because they do not know the dangers of playing with match sticks and fire.
"It is always wise to practise safe house-keeping."

MEET TEVITA MANU

2007-07-04T21:13:00.000+12:00

BELIEVING in one's talent and putting it to good practice is what 52-year-old Tevita Manu believes in.
Tevita is a man of his own creation and sells mat strippers at Terry Walk in Suva.
The idea of making mat strippers a tool used for stripping mats into fine material is his own.
"This is my own idea and nobody taught me this," he said.
"I collect pieces of tin from the waste material at the tin factory in Valelevu to make this and I buy the wood from the sellers.
"It is better to use the waste material and earn money from it."
Tevita, hailing from Savusavu, said he has been in this business for the past eight years and the heat of the sun or the rainy season was not an obstacle for him to stop doing what he enjoyed.
"I do this because it is easy and I enjoy doing it," he said.
"It takes me about half an hour to make one tool. I thought about making this tool after I saw women weaving mats and the difficulty they were facing in getting thin straps of the pandanus leaves. Using this tool actually makes the work very easy and light as I saw people using nails and other tin materials to do the job.
"This is my talent and I am using it. I believe God gave everyone a talent and we should use in a good way.
"I am using mine and I suggest everyone to use whatever talent they have."
Making mat strippers is Tevita's part-time job.
"To run a family, I have to do two jobs.
"I also do some carpentry work here and there apart from this.
"When I am not sitting here, my wife comes instead of me."
The busiest day Tevita describes is during the weekdays and his customers are from all over Fiji.
"The locals and tourists buy the mat strippers," he said.
"In Fijian we call it the toci and I call it mat strippers in English."
Tevita says he earns well in his small business and is happy with it.
"It really depends how many customers come but at the end of the day I get about $50 to $40 from this creation of mine," he said.
"I am glad my wife helps me out in this."
As a word of advice, Tevita emphasised on the possibility of making something out of nothing.
"One can survive if their heart is into it and people should enjoy what they do, he said.
Tevita's mat strippers sell for $5 each and is quite a handy tool for women who weave mats.

Meet Aisea Rafai

2007-07-03T06:12:00.000+12:00

AISEA Rafai has been a doctor for 45 years and at 73 years of age, he is not planning on leaving the profession soon.
He wants to continue serving the people of Fiji and Rotuma and said he would continue to serve until his services were no longer required.
"I think I am still physically and mentally fit and I will keep working," he said.
"If my performance starts to go down, then I will stop working."
Doctor Rafai came to Fiji from Rotuma in 1948.
After completing primary school he started secondary school at Ratu Kadavulevu School.
Being brought up in the village, he loves country life and enjoyed working in the interior villages where he was transferred to.
"In the village I grew up like a ordinary country boy with my parents."
From RKS he went to Queen Victoria School and then joined the Fiji School of Medicine in 1955.
He was at FSM for five years and went to New Zealand in 1956 to complete his studies.
He always wanted to be a doctor and his sick father was the reason why he wanted to be a doctor.
"My father was sickly and he died before I came back to Fiji.
"It was the one reason why I chose this profession, in memory of my father."
Dr Rafai said being a doctor was a very rewarding profession.
"I do not think I would be happier anywhere else and I would not find any job more pleasant than being a doctor.
"It is true that you have your ups and downs at times and sometimes a patient dies in front of you but the feeling you get from healing sick people is more rewarding.
"In this profession, you serve people who need care and medication with no respect to race, colour or belief.
"Your main intention is to save the patient."
He said it was always rewarding to see his patients get better.
Dr Rafai did his internship at the Colonial Memorial War Hospital before he was posted to Nadarivatu in the interior of Viti Levu.
"At that time I was just a young doctor and very fit.
"I enjoyed my two years up in the highland."
From Nadarivatu, he was posted to the Tamavua Hospital and then to Labasa in Vanua Levu for two years.
After several years of practical work, Dr Rafai went to do his diploma in New Zealand in 1974.
When he returned, he was posted to Kadavu, back to Tamavua and then to Koromumu Hospital in Sigatoka.
He later became the sub divisional Medical Officer for the Western Division and was head at Lautoka Hospital for eight years.
"In 1989, I came to headquarters as Director of Preventive and Primary Health Care Services."
Dr Rafai retired in 1992 and went to New Zealand for a hip operation.
When he returned, he was re-employed by the Ministry of Health on an annual contract basis.
"One of the reasons I want to serve and stay in the profession was that when I came to Fiji, the Government had given me a scholarship to study because I came from a poor background.
"I was tempted so many times to go into private practice where I would have earned more money but I always thought about the scholarship that I was given by the ministry when I was in need of financial help for my studies."
At one stage, Dr Rafai wanted to go to Rotuma to serve his people but he did not have the chance.
"It was when one of my colleagues refused to go and I had opted to go.
"If I do not work and stay home I would be bored because I cannot go to the garden as much as I want.
"If I keep working, my body and mind will be occupied."
He has a brother and three sisters in Fiji.
He goes to Rotuma now and then for a holiday but has no intention to retire there for the rest of his life.
"I have seven grandchildren and they are all in Fiji." he said.
"In my younger days I used to play rugby, hockey, cricket and tennis.
"I liked gardening and one of my hobbies was photography."
Dr Rafai has been married for 45 years and has four children.
He said he found working in rural areas most rewarding because he was able to meet a lot of people.
"I always tell young doctors that this is one of the most rewarding occupations. I always tell them to enjoy the work they are doing and serve the people as best as they can.
"It is an honour to keep serving the country and I thank God for giving me life to serve.
"I think I have used the talent from God and the time he gave me in life as best as I can. The other reason I am still working in my profession is that we are short of doctors in Fiji and I think I am still needed to provide health services for the people.
"It also keeps me occupied and I am moving around and it keeps me mentally fit."
Dr Rafai is fluent in Fijian but did not learn it.
"The first Fijian I knew were swear words."

Meet Elenoa Tupua

2007-07-02T13:18:00.000+12:00

She loves the rainbow for its colours and she loves Naitasiri for its green hills.
Elenoa Tupua, 62, enjoys planting colourful flowers on a part of her seven-acres of land in Vuniniudrovu Village, in Naitasiri.
"I do dalo and cassava farming and my flower garden is about two-and-a-half-acres," she said proudly.
"I have loved flowers since I was a little girl."
Elenoa is a member of Suva Orchid and Horticulture Circle.
She has been selling flowers from a stall near the Suva city foreshore since Monday.
Usually, she can be found selling beautiful flowers under a mango tree in the Suva Market on Saturdays.
She is the widow of an auditor, Jona Tukua, and now lives with her youngest sister in her village.
"I got married when I was 19- years-old and after that I started work at the Tradewinds Hotel.
"I used to work as a waitress, as a room cleaner and then was promoted to receptionist. I worked in other hotels after that.
"When I was young, my parents leased land in Naitasiri and we all moved there.
"After my parents died, the property was passed on to me. I loved the village life because my family and I used to live in Flagstaff.
"But it was in Naitasiri where I gained skills in gardening," she said. "I started planting in small numbers but as my interest grew, so did my garden."
Elenoa has two women working in her garden twice a week.
She has gingerflowers, halacornias, carrabia and many other pot-plants of all colours and sizes.
"It's like my flowers make me relax. When I am upset, I go in my garden and my mind clears and am no longer upset.
"Whenever I am alone at home I go to my flowers and spend time with them.
"My flowers are very helpful to me. I take care of them and they take care of me," she said.
"All the flowers are my favourite, I can not choose among them which is prettier. If I choose I will be thinking low of the other flowers."
She is the eldest of two sisters, has two daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
"My little ones are like flowers, they are very adorable and I like spending time with them.
"As the old people used to say, when you become a mother all your love goes to your children, but when you have great-grandchildren you put aside everyone else and love them. "The little ones love coming over to my place, they really like my flower garden," she said.
"I find myself alone at times but my children and my gardeners help me by keeping me company.
"Every day is like a routine for me. I wake up at five in the morning and clean the house, have breakfast then I soak the clothes. I go to my garden and at about 10 I wash my clothes.
"I arrange for a van to bring us to Suva Market. The van charges me $10 but at times when a cab is arranged, it costs about $30 to come from Naitasiri."
Elenoa is proud to be a student of Mahatma Gandhi High School.
"We were the first lot of student to go to that school. We opened that school and I really liked the principal, Mr Patel. He was a short guy and he was a nice man. I loved that school," she said.
She attended the Fiji Institute of Technology after high school where she did commercial studies.
She likes attending church services, saying her husband was her strength in the work she did.
"My husband was a very good man and very understanding. He used to plant the dalo in our farm and he helped me out with my flower gardening.
"He always used to tell me to do what gave me the most pleasure. And I am doing that," she said.
"Being a retired person, it's good to engage yourself in something with which you are happy with. I have my kids and my flowers, and am very happy."

Meet Hassan Khan

2007-07-01T11:24:00.000+12:00

HE started from humble beginnings. A man who has done much for the poor. A man who is recognised as the face of the Fiji Council of Social Services.
That is Hassan Khan, the executive director of FCOSS who has done his best to overcome every difficulty his organisation came across.
So who is this 65-year-old man with the grey beard that is a dead give-away of his Islamic faith.
Mr Khan's name is always prominently in the news every time poverty, education, health or social change is talked about.
He is, as friends say, a humble person who always does his utmost to help the poor and needy.
Mr Khan was born in Suva, one of 13 brothers and sisters who had a "very tough childhood".
His father used to work as a driver for the Tamavua Hospital and he spent most of his primary to early secondary school life at Tamavua.
That was from 1953 until 1960, exciting years for the young Hassan.
Because they were a big family, Mr Khan said he had to work for a living.
"I had to work for my school fees in primary school from Class Six onwards, as there were many in school and my parents wanted to see that all their children went as far as we could go," he said.
He started off with being a garden boy for an expatriate couple working at the hospital.
He was only in Class Six at Samabula Government School (now, Samabula Primary School) and recalls being paid 50 shillings a day ($1), which was above what others got back in those days.
Reminiscing, Mr Khan said proudly that he was paid more by the Irish doctor a Dr Gerard Murphy who played a huge part in molding him to become what he is today.
A man of discipline and integrity, deeply devout he prays five times a day.
Mr Khan said Dr Murphy had been his role model and mentor.
"He (Dr Murphy) always told me to operate through the front door and you knock on the door. And if the front door doesn't open, never go through the back door even if you have to kick open the front door," he said.
"Those are the values of integrity and forth righteousness that comes from that man.
"Partly because of my spiritual upbringing, I acquired those values at a very early stage in my life. And I live by those principles of respect and dignity."
He collected empty bottles from around the area and sold guavas in order to earn a living.
Mr Khan said after his father died when he was in fifth form at Marist Brothers' High School, it became an even bigger burden on his family because only one of his elder brothers was working.
He got an opportunity for further education and did a Certificate in Radiology at the Fiji School of Medicine in 1963.
Naturally, Dr Murphy helped him get the scholarship.
Mr Khan said he wished to become a doctor but couldn't do so because of financial constraints.
"At that time, we survived on one meal a day and so I know what poverty is. I know what hunger is, that eating meat was a luxury.
"Whenever I have good food in front of me now I think of those days and thank God for that life because it was for that type of simple eating that I'm still healthy today. I don't have diabetes or hypertension," he said.
Mr Khan said those were things that helped him in life.
After his tertiary education at FSM, he was posted to Labasa as a radiographer.
"I had never stepped out of my house and going to Labasa was a very painful thing for my family and myself.
"It was a very traumatic transfer to Labasa but in those days, civil servants had to take the plunge.
"My mother had to do without me," he said.
Mr Khan said one of the best things he did was "save, save and save", as the money he used to study was not a handout.
He said Dr Murphy loaned him the money as the doctor did not believe in handouts.
"He (Dr Murphy) believed we should be responsible and he told me to pay anytime I wanted," he said.
Mr Khan said he eventually repaid the loan after spending three years in Labasa. He paid the 110 pounds, which was big money at the time as he was paid three pounds per month.
He continued working as a garden boy for Dr Murphy and used to travel from his home in Samabula to Tamavua.
Mr Khan said he often walked back home as he didn't have bus fare.
He says roads were seldom tarsealed in those days.
Mr Khan said he worked in his uncle's photo studio Arts Studio (that was located on Marks Street, in Suva) mostly part-time and during the holidays.
He then went and worked in a mobile X-ray unit boat that went from island to island.
At that time, the tuberculosis campaign was on. He then spent a second stint in Labasa.
Mr Khan said there was a joke among the staff that every single person who went to Labasa, came back 'doubled'.
"So I said to them that I would prove them wrong.
"In 1963, I went and in 1965, when I came back, I was still single.
"Then again, I was there in Labasa. So when I returned in 1968 after my second trip, I came back double," he joked.
His wife, Anne Yee Wai, hails from Labasa, and is of Chinese and Fijian ancestry.
She used to work as a bank teller in Labasa.
So many years later, she has become the chief executive officer of Mr Khan's home, as he likes to call her.
Mr Khan said he had been happily married for the last 38 years and has three beautiful girls.
The eldest daughter is Sofyia, then Nooraimah and Naeemah.
All of them are now married, with the second eldest living in Australia.
Mr Khan said what cheered him most nowadays was the fact that his youngest daughter gave birth to a baby girl three months ago and he was now a grandfather.
"Naeemah is following her father's footsteps as she is working at the Fiji Women's Rights Movement," he said.
By 1974, Mr Khan had enough of being transferred all over the country, having endured 11 transfers in 13 years of his service with the Ministry of Health.
His interest in voluntary work began when he became a member of Apex Club, in Labasa.
When he came to Suva, he helped start the Fiji Muslim Youth Organisation and did youth leadership work.
Through that organisation, he became a member of the Fiji National Youth Council and was employed there as an executive secretary, which was when his vocation as a community worker became full-time in 1975. Through his involvement in the council, Mr Khan said he attended many training seminars and workshops.
That was where he got his experience in youth leadership training and community leadership training.
"So my so-called tertiary education started in the practical sense. Writing reports and so on," he said.
In 1980, Mr Khan joined the Fiji Muslim League as an executive officer. He applied for the job as a "joke".
"Because at that time, they offered $3500 per year as salary and I said to them that I would start if you give me $5500.
"I thought it would be very difficult for them to give me that. "After three months, they came back to me and said so would you start.
"So it was my word. And at that time, I was already earning $7500 at the Youth Council. But I started at the Muslim League with lesser pay," he said.
Mr Khan said he never chased money or ever had a desire to move to earn better salary elsewhere.
That, he said, was why he had remained with FCOSS for all these years.
"FCOSS is an organisation that never had any money. And when it did, it was from donor agencies and it was for all the projects that had to be done. There was never a big investment in staff salary," he said.
Mr Khan said bringing up children at that time was very difficult as technological changes swept the world. Fiji was only then becoming accustomed to videoes and the introduction of television.

Meet Agapito Muawalu from Labasa

2007-06-30T02:17:00.000+12:00

IN 1975, Agapito Muawalu was involved in a hit and run accident while returning from school one afternoon.
A Class Two student of Holy Family Primary School, Agapito, who is crippled and blind as a result of the accident, cannot remember that tragic day in Labasa Town.
But he sure does know Catholic hymns as he was happily singing praises when we arrived at his home at Soasoa, outside Labasa Town.
He can recognise people from their voices, which was what happened when we arrived with community worker, Selina Lee Wah.
On hearing her greetings, he yelled with excitement: "Selina".
Agapito is 40-years-old and has been living with his 68-year-old mother, Valavia Ranadi, who is unemployed but is the sole bread winner in the home.
"I go fishing whenever I can because there is no one else here to provide our food or pay for our bills, Mrs Ranadi said.
"At times I go to the plantation while Agapito remains at home, usually in his bedroom singing hymns."
Since the accident, she has looked after her son in their two bedroom home that has no proper toilet and bathroom facilities.
"But I have managed. I thank God for giving me the strength to look after my son and help me move him around the house to have his meals or to have his bath," Mrs Ranadi said.
"After he was discharged from hospital, Agapito could still walk and run around and play with his friends.
"He even returned to school in 1975 but it was not long after that we had to pull him out from school because he started to get fits in the classroom," his mum said.
She said Agapito stayed at home with her and after a few months, his legs could not move anymore.
Soon after he could not walk anymore.
"That was the beginning of his physical disability.
"Agapito has to stay inside the house most of the time because he can not run outside to play with his friends.
"It was touching to see my son at that young energetic age sitting inside the house and watching his friends. All I could see on his face was how much he wanted to join them."
His mother said at the time although Agapito was crippled he could still see things around him and whenever he could, he would help his mum cook, cut up vegetables and clean the house.
In the afternoons he helps his mum around the house but keeps a constant watch outside to see his friends playing rugby.
When he became crippled at the age of seven, his mum started to carry him to the toilet and bathroom.
"I would carry him to the toilet day and night and to the bathroom to bath him.
"At that time it was easy for me because he was younger and lighter.
"Now whenever I call him to come and eat, I have to carry him from behind but at the same time he helps me by lifting his backside off the floor using his hands," she said.
In 1990, Agapito lost his eye sight on a beautiful sunny day when he was in the dining room with his mother.
His mum, who clearly recalls the day, said they were sharing jokes and laughter at home.
"Then suddenly he just went quiet and said, 'mum, I can't see anything, it's all dark around me' and that's when I knew that he had lost his eyesight.
"I took him to the hospital but the doctors could not do anything because he had already lost his eyesight.
"But life has been the same and we have enjoyed one each other's company.
"It's difficult at times but for the sake of my son, I have to do it. I will not put him in any institution because it is my responsibility as a mother to look after my child."

Peniasi Yearns for a Miracle

2007-06-29T06:12:00.000+12:00

PENIASI Serukalou dreams of seeing his children receive proper education and be something in life.
Mr Serukalou, 64, of Tailevu, is often seen on the streets of the capital city with his 13-year-old physically handicapped son begging for money.
His desire to spread the word of God led him to play the harmonica and sing hymns on the streets.
He says singing is the only way he can earn a living.
He spoke of how he injured his left arm when he was a boy.
"My condition deteriorated as I grew older and I was not able to do hard work," he said.
"After completing my primary school education at the Nabua Central Fijian School, I went to Bau Methodist School on Bau Island."
He said it was a Bible school and he was involved in singing hymns and spreading the word of God.
"When I was 16-years-old I was able to play the harmonica well and I became a choirmaster for my church," he said.
"Now I cannot sing that well so I earn my living by playing the harmonica and singing hymns for people.
"I cannot sing any other kind of song.
He has twins. His son, Keni Drakuidreketi is deaf and dumb and cannot move properly while his daughter, Rokomeiva Likuteiba goes to a school in Suva.
"My daughter stays with her aunt when she is studying," he said.
He said he sent his son to school but was not able to pay the fees and now he stays with him.
While he was talking, Keni was getting annoyed and Mr Serukalou said he did not want him to talk to anyone.
He has also worked at the Suva Wharf as an attendant.
"Before starting work at the wharf, I was staying in the village and used to work on the farm to earn a living," he said.
The money he now earns goes to his family's welfare and a little is also put aside for his daughter's school fees.
He has been doing this for the past six years and earns about $6 a day.
"I come to Suva two to three days a week and stay at my sister's place. In the day I come to the city to sing and collect money," he said.
His wife stays home in the village and is partly paralysed.
He prays for a miracle each day as he continues to do his best for his family.

Rugby's Forgotten Warriors

2007-06-28T06:25:00.000+12:00

Former national sevens rugby forward Timoci Wainiqolo harbours a dream. It's the same one former Macuata representatives Viliame Gauna and Jone Dike have. It's to see the development of potential rugby stars on Vanua Levu. They've had their taste of mixing it with the big guns of the game, rode their wave and lapped up the limelight.
It's now about living a dream.
At the grassroots level, budding stars like Vuo hooker Liqorio Toma, and backrowers Nato Bulavakarua, Akuila Matawaqa and Suliano Kaivei share an enthusiasm that's inspired fans of the game in the northern town of Labasa.
They yearn for a taste of the big time.
For them, it's about living a different dream. One that involves a fair share of the rugby cake. It's about carving a name for themselves, churning a path through the stagnant waters of northern rugby.
Being named for trials to select the Macuata squad this year is just the first step of a dream that's entwined with that harboured by their former stars.
Sitting in the province of Macuata, in the north-eastern end of Vanua Levu, Labasa is caged in by three rivers, the Wailevu, Labasa and the Qawa.
The heat is almost unbearable. Humidity levels range on the high scale.
With a population of 24,187 at the last census in 1996, the town struggles economically.
But it's on the sporting field that dreams are realized.
It's when players like Toma, Nato, Puna and Suli build castles.
Their Eden Park is the second ground at Subrail Park.
A park where matches are held up when the ball has to be fetched in from over the corrugated iron fencing that cuts out Subrail Park, every time it's kicked for touch.
Big Jim believes there's heaps of talent in the north. It's a sentiment echoed by Bill and John.
"I think the first thing the FRU should try doing is open up a gym, even if it's a small one here," says Jim.
"We may have talented players here, but we lack size.
"If you talk about speed, flair and guts, we have that in abundance.
"I think we need to nurture these qualities, build on our strengths, improve our knowledge of the game and we should be right.
"I have noticed something here. Players are too lazy to do strength training. But then again, maybe it's to do with the fact that we do not have readily available weight training facilities in the north."
Bill, a centre in the Macuata sides of 1997 through to 2002 which played in the Major Union competition agrees with Jim.
"Apart from the weight training facilities, I think we need to develop the grassroots level," he says.
"Our players have the potential to develop in every aspect of the game.
"I feel we are just not been given the opportunity to realize our potential.
"I understand the level of competition required because I've gone through it. Unfortunately most of our players have not tasted that yet.
"Right now, I'd like to see more emphasis placed on the development of primary and secondary school level rugby.
"An idea would be for organisers of northern secondary schools rugby to try and lobby for a spot in the Deans Trophy competition quarter-finals like what their western counterparts have done.
"It would be an idea to have a competition here pitting the top sides from around the northern division with the winner traveling over to play in the quarter-finals in Suva.
"Then maybe we could move on to holding competitions in tiers starting from a colts grade through to the senior level, which we don not have now.
""I'd like to see more development work done by the FRU here in the north. I'd like to see more coaching clinics, a weights training facility and maybe more focus on our competition here in the north."
Para field
I chuckled to myself when I saw the ground the Vuo rugby side trained on. But this was followed by a sense of sadness.
The ground is situated just before you enter the village on the way to Malau.
It's the size of the 22m area on a normal rugby field.
As you look back towards Vunika, the ground is uneven towards the right, stretching towards paragrass on the left. So when the Vuo team trains in the afternoons, one part of the team stands on uneven ground while the other part stands in knee high paragrass.
At lineout time, the hooker throws in from the road end of the park which is the paragrass end.
The unavailability of a proper training ground fails to douse the enthusiasm in the Vuo side.
I watched with awe when they stretched Service to the wire in the challenge match the other Saturday before going down in an exciting finale to the local competition.
I watched the smaller Vuo scrum hold the bigger Service pack led by giants like Josaia Tadu and Pio Ratavo.
They rode on enthusiasm and adrenalin.
Development
"Whatever happens, I feel there needs to be more effort put into developing the game in the north," says John.
"It's imperative they do that. It'll be for the betterment of the game in the country."
I left Jim at the new courthouse right next to Macuata House. A giant of a man.
Bill retains the size that saw him terrorise midfield backs in his time and John now works at the FSC's Malau Bulk.
For Toma and his gang, the waiting game continues.
They will be at it again this weekend, hoping for a win to keep their hopes alive for a spot in the elimination rounds of the competition.
For them, the door has opened. They played their hearts out at Naodamu against Seaqaqa with hardly a soul watching while thousands either stayed home or went to the Post Fiji Stadium to watch Fiji draw with Australia A.
This week, it'll be business as usual, crowd or no crowd.
But they'll be keeping their fingers crossed hoping someone high up there decides to look their way.
If that doesn't happen, then they'll just be happy to continue playing the game they love, with enthusiasm and tonnes of passion.

Meet Mereseini Nabua

2007-06-27T23:40:00.000+12:00

Imagine at the age of 90 one can still walk from Raiwaqa to the Suva market everyday to sell her produce.
It would take a lot of convincing to get people to believe this, but this is a fact and she has been doing it ever since 1971.
Meet Mereseini Nabua a long time resident of Raiwaqa.
One can only marvel on how this old lady is able to keep fit and able to walk every morning at 4am from her home to the Suva market.
Mereseini is the eldest of six children and to date she is the last surviving member of her siblings who were all brought up at Qoma Island but moved to Suva in her younger years.
Mereseini could easily be identified by those that make the city of Suva as their home because of her compassionate heart.
She would rather give her 65 cents fare in the afternoon to those who request for money and walk home.
She could clearly remember the first day she was given table at the market.
"I was told by the market officer that a table would be made available to me the very next day," Mereseini said.
"I was so happy that I could not sleep well that night thinking of how I was going to sell from the market and what produce to sell.
"In the morning around 4am I woke up and got ready for my first day in the market.
"I have been selling in the market since 1971, that was when the market was small and there were only five Fijian ladies that had tables selling all sorts of vegetable and root crops.
"I was one of them, at that time the market was much smaller than what it is today and prices of vegetables and root crops were cheap."
She said on the first day she walked from her Raiwaqa home to Centenary church to pray and thank the Lord for her life and that she could be given a table at the market.
"This has been my daily routine, I walk to Centenary church and say my thanksgiving prayers before heading down to the market to meet the middle men in front of the market gates," she said.
Mereseini said the only time she had stopped walking down to the market was during the coups that took place in the country.
"It was only when the military was along the road that I did not walk down to the city," she said.
Mereseini said her old age does not in anyway affect her day-to-day sales at the market.
"I can still see clearly and I make sure that I always give the right change to my customers," she said.
Mereseini said never in her 36-years of selling in the market had she received a complaint from a customer.
"It all depends on the produce that we sell, it should be good and edible and in that way one will always have their customers buying from them.
When asked what has been her secret to long life, Mereseini said she does not take butter and never takes any sugar or sugar-based products.
"When we eat the right kind of food especially the fresh one we will be strong and live long. I must say that nothing beats a pot of freshly boiled Fish, with it's soup," she said smilingly.
"Another thing that makes me healthy and fit is relying on the Lord's power to keep me going everyday. Everyday I thank the Lord in church and every Sunday I walk down to the Centenary (church) to attend morning service.
"The only time I miss church is when I'm sick," she said.
Mereseini encourages young people to serve the Lord and at the same time work hard in school so that they can secure bright futures.
I hope that our youths are able to appreciate whatever jobs they can find and commit themselves to it, because only then would they be able to prosper in life," she said.

True Son of the Land

2007-06-27T05:59:00.000+12:00

The island of Moturiki. in the Lomaiviti Group, boasts of many things and two of them just happen to be great rugby players in the likes of Filimoni Bolavucu and tall Semisi Serevi.
Not only that, the island is known for its cultural significance and traditional methods of farming.
One such farmer who has proved his worth on the island is Jese Baledidrokadroka, 44, of Nasauvuki Village.
For Jese, farming has always been his passion and he would not dream of leaving his land for greener pastures as he believes he is already toiling on green gold.
He recalled that back in 1994, he was offered a chance to travel to the Unites States of America to pursue a degree in Christian principles but he declined as he had decided way before that, he was going to keep farming for a living.
"I made the ultimate sacrifice for me and my family and yes, I believe that this is God's calling for me so that I can farm and spread his word to my own village," he said.
"Through all the hardships that I faced when I began farming, I made sure that God was the head of my family and the source of my strength and that is why I am here today."
With so many acres of land to plant, Jese never wasted a minute as his principle in life is to use time wisely.
"I attended the Fiji Bible College in Buabua, Lautoka, and after settling down with my wife, I decided to move back into the village to farm for a living and to spread the gospel among my fellow villagers.
Thus his quest for food security began and the gruelling hours that he spent on his farm every day except for the Sabbath is a story on its own.
"Villagers here in Nasauvuki plant up in the hills and it takes sheer determination to climb those hills everyday. It is a 45-minutes walk from my home to work in the field.
"I have made it a point that I have my lunch up in the field and do not return until dusk as I have so much to do in and around the farm."
Jese plants a host of root crops, with yaqona being his main source of income.
"I make sure that I plant 60 yaqona plants and 20 dalo plants everyday. That has been inter-cropped with other root crops like cassava and vudi and a bit of green leafy vegetables.
"With the increase in demand for yaqona, I believe my farming commitment is going to achieve greater heights in the years to come," he said confidently.
Jese has an impressive dalo planting program but has decided not to sell it to the markets after several deals went wrong for him.
"I plant the tausala variety and sold it several times in Levuka but after the hiccups I had to go through, I decided against it and have been planting it for family use only," he said.
"But now we have been told of a market that has been secured for us by the extension officers of the ministry and this could be a great start to my dalo business once again."
The Ministry of Agriculture has decided that Jese's farm is to be a demonstration farm for other farmers on the island to learn from.
Senior agriculture officer Lomaiviti Aporosa Lalabalavu said the aim of the program was to keep Moturiki dalo pest free.

Brothers Kanaki headline Festival

2007-06-25T09:39:00.000+12:00

MEXEM, the biting New Caledonian Kaneka reggae ragers who gave the world Edou, headline the Fete de la musique.
The group arrives early next Saturday for the climax of the annual French music festival in Sukuna Park, in Suva.
Edou is the brother Kanaki whom Lucky Dubes original band, The Slaves, did an album with during their South Pacific tour that included the French territory and Fiji.
Now, the young generation of the Drueulu tribe of Lifou Island, in New Caledonia, is resurrecting the group that has already released five CDs on which Edou features.
The seven-member group has just launched a new album, with Sese, a tune to listen out for.
Like our homegrown reggae groups Rootstrata and Exodus, Mexem has a cult following.
Their sound is very similar to that of Exodus, the pioneers of reggae in Fiji, and who are scheduled to play at 2.50pm in the festival climax.
That will see a day of music from 10am to 10pm when the food of love will flow freely in the capital city.
Over 30 bands and choirs last Thursday gave a taste of what to expect in a series of concerts held across the first city.
Appetisers this week will see pop and acoustic sounds fused with a touch of jazz take the stage from 6pm on Tuesday at Traps.
The nights main attraction will be ex-Rootsman William Hatchs Jeriko.
On Wednesday, it is the Defence Club where everything happens.
There Talei Burns joins guitarist Tom Mawi as the main act of the night.
All roads lead to Sukuna Park on Saturday where everyone who has appeared in the mid-week gigs get to jam.
With the fine weather in Suva, the Alliance Francaise, organisers of the show, expect Sukuna Park to be jam-packed.
The day will feature finalists of the talent, cultural items and the full-blown music styles of just about everyone who is active on the scene.
It is a way for the Alliance Francaise to keep close to the spirit of the annual music day in France, which is a free day of music where amateurs and professionals playing side by side and thus, the possibility to enjoy an entertaining concert and day of music is given to the people from all walks of life, including the underprivileged, said Alliance Francaise Fiji director Eric Galmard.
Launched in 1982, every June 21, in over 340 cities in 110 nations and counting, the Fete de la Musique brings peoples together.
In Fiji, this year festivities have been spread over a week-and-a-half to give as many people as possible a feel-good feeling.