Naseakula District School

from w
This news in the Fiji Times certainly is embarrassing for former students of this school.  The school management say the school is behind in their rent to the TLTB. They recently had a bazaar to try and raise funds to pay the debt.  But there is more behind the story.  The owner of the land on which the school was built in about 1939 is a clan from  Naseakula village. Also, the people of Naseakula (parents and grandparents of the students of this school) do get money from many leases around Labasa so they are not poor.  Labasa town is close so there is an opportunity for some jobs. There is a lot of land which can be planted in vegtetables etc. to sell.  So why do they ask strangers and 'good samaritans' for money?

On a positive note, the footpath recently built from the village to the school does look good and will be great for the children to avoid getting muddy on the way to and from their school.

Plea to save school

Luke Rawalai
Wednesday, July 30, 2014

A TOTAL of 152 students may have to find new schools with the imminent closure of the Naseakula District School in Labasa.

The management of the school are seeking assistance from good Samaritans for funding to keep the 75-year-old school open.

School manager Isoa Rasousou said the school had unpaid lease money worth $6000.

Mr Rasousou said the school had been approached by the iTaukei Land Trust Board informing them of the looming closure of the school if the $6000 lease fees were not paid off soon.

He said the total lease money was $12,000 and that the management had been able to pay off half of the total with a balance of $6000.

"The school started off in 1939 as a district school serving students from as far as Mali Island, Uluibau, Qawa and Bulileka," Mr Rasousou said.

"We have been holding fundraising (events) but this has not sufficed to pay off the remaining balance.

"We are seeking assistance from kind donors and old students to keep the school doors open for the current 152 students in the school."

Mr Rasousou said the school served students in Naseakula, Wailevu, Nakama and children of civil servants in Labasa.

"On behalf of the school management, I would like to seek assistance of kind-hearted people to help us keep this school going so that children can continue to seek their future in this institution."

Fiji team in Glasgow

from w
Good luck to the Fiji team at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  We probably won't see too much of them as our TV programs mainly concentrate on finals and on Australian swimmers, etc.  Anyway here are a few pictures I found on the internet and a story from the Fiji Times.

Team Fiji in baton relay

Emoni Narawa
Friday, July 25, 2014

+ Enlarge this image

Hands on ... Members of Team Fiji hold the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton in the Team Fiji camp at the Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village in Glasgow. Picture: Press Association

THE Queen's Baton visited Team Fiji's camp yesterday at the Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village in Glasgow.

FASANOC delegates at the Commonwealth Games Federation General Assembly were delighted that the Queen's Baton spent 30 minutes at the camp since it did not make a stopover in Fiji during its relay to the respective Commonwealth countries.

Yesterday, Team Fiji revealed in a statement that it was overwhelmed with the reception.

Team Fiji was excited at being included in the Queen's Baton relay.

Chef de mission Lyndall Fisher and secretary general Lorraine Mar thanked Team Scotland for the kind gesture.

Meanwhile, Fiji flag bearer Litia Tikoisuva started her experience as a flag bearer at the Oceania Flag Bearer Naming Ceremony at the Glasgow Caledonian University Forecourt.

The ceremony was opened by Dennis Miller, executive director of ONOC (Oceania National Olympic Committee) and featured Papua New Guinea's gold-medal-winner Ryan Pini.

A set agenda was followed for each of the nations which involved the chef de mission for each country announcing the name of the flag bearer before the athlete paraded with the flag.

Fisher was delighted to announce that lawn bowler Litia Tikoisuva would be leading the way at Celtic Park for Fiji.

This is Tikoisuva's fourth games, having previously competed at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 competitions.

"That experience of winning includes a successful gold medal campaign at the South Pacific Games. Tikoisuva beamed with pride after receiving the flag and said she felt honoured to be representing Fiji," Fisher said.

Team Fiji is also anticipating greeting the government delegation led by the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau who arrived in Glasgow.

A youtube video of Ratu Epeli in Melbourne

from w
I found this video on the internet of part of yesterday's program at the Hilton South Wharf where we welcomed the Fiji President.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYWRK3hVMU

Fiji Presiden'ts speech at Melbourne

from w
When we met Ratu Epeli Nailatikau yesterday at the little welcome ceremony of Australian Fiji people, I noticed how passionate and articulate he is about his concerns for health in the Pacific. Then this morning
I read tiis in Pacnews.

http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=173203539253cc3a0c13b295414dc6

Push on in the fight against AIDS: Fijian President Ratu Epeli

By Online Editor
09:52 am GMT+12, 21/07/2014, Fiji

Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has called on world leaders to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS beyond 2015.

Speaking at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, the Fijian President said the fight against HIV does not stop with the end of the millennium development goals and now envisioning post 2015.

He told those present the vision is clearer and closer than ever before on achieving the bold declaration of UNAIDS, for zero new infections, zero stigma and discrimination and zero aids related deaths.

“With our dwindling resources, it is a critical time for me and my fellow leaders to be more engaged in the response to Aids. I know that the response to Aids is at a crossroad which means that our task must become substantially stronger and more strategic if our people are to be saved,” Ratu Epeli said.

“The response must be transformed to a strategic one and we as leaders, have a crucial role to play in helping to achieve this social transformation.”

On his part, Ratu Epeli said he would continue to speak about HIV/AIDS and take action and responsibility to initiate and promote the rights based response to aids.

 “For this and to prove the saying, ‘walk the talk’, advocating for prevention and protection is my business and what i do best.

“I come from a country of less than a million in population. I am proud of my country and I do not want to see Fijians perish unnecessarily at a young age. That is the main reason why I take this advocacy seriously.” He urged the other leaders to do so as well as part of their responsibility to protect the people they lead and look after.

Ratu Epeli also shared with those present basic principles that he uses, including his visits to 149 local secondary schools, and also some of his experiences as an advocate of AIDS in Fiji and in the Pacific in the hope it would encourage others and those in the fight against the disease to continue the work they had committed to in 2011 at the UN General Assembly in New York.

He also encouraged leaders to share and exchange information about their experiences and practices that have either worked or not to aid in the fight against AIDS.

Meanwhile, Fijian President  Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was also recognized by the world AIDS community for his tireless efforts in his fights towards eliminating HIV/AIDS through his various methods which have been praised by the international community.

The Fijian Head of State was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts not only as the President of the Republic of Fiji but also in his capacity as the United Nation's AIDS Ambassador to Fiji and formerly to the Pacific.

Ratu Epeli has become only the third recipient of the award this year with Indonesian Minister for Health Her Excellency Nafsia Mboi and the Melbourne City Mayor.

Executive director of UN AIDS HE Michele Sidibe presented the award to Ratu Epeli saying that the world is blessed to have a person of Ratu Epeli's calibre who has dedicated his work, time and life towards the fight against the epidemic.

“We are blessed and honored to have a person of your stature during our generation and your efforts have purely underpinned your commitment towards AIDS," he said.

“The work that you have carried out visiting almost 160 secondary schools is a testimony of your unique ability in reaching out to the masses and spreading the word. The world honours you with this award."

Mboi who was a recipient herself said the Fijian President was worthy of this recognition.

“What he has done in spreading the gospel to high schools students is a unique way of reaching out and I am honoured to be recognized with the Fijian President,” she said.

Ratu Epeli is currently Fiji's Special Representative on HIV/AIDS.

SOURCE: FIJI LIVE/ MINFO/PACNEWS

AND ALSO

Sunday, July 20. Fijian President His Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau was today recognized by the world AIDS community for his tireless efforts in his fights towards eliminating HIV/AIDS through his various methods which have been praised by the international community.

The Fijian Head of State was this morning awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his efforts not only as the President of the Republic of Fiji but also in his capacity as the United Nation’s AIDS Ambassador to Fiji and ​formerly to ​the Pacific.

This award was presented today in Melbourne, Australia ahead of the 20th World AIDS conference which begins tomorrow.

Ratu Epeli has become only the third recipient of the award this year with Indonesian Minister for Health Her Excellency Nafsia Mboi and the Melbourne City Mayor.

Executive director of UN AIDS HE Michele Sidibe presented the award to Ratu Epeli saying that the world is blessed to have a person of Ratu Epeli’s calibre who has dedicated his work, time and life towards the fight against the epidemic.

“We are blessed and honored to have a person of your stature during our generation and your efforts have purely underpinned your commitment towards AIDS,” he said.

“The work that you have carried out visiting almost 160 secondary schools is a testimony of your unique ability in reaching out to the masses and spreading the word. The world honours you with this award.”

Mrs Mboi who was a recipient herself said the Fijian President was worthy of this recognition.

“What he has done in spreading the gospel to high schools students is a unique way of reaching out and I am honoured to be recognized with the Fijian President,” she said.

​Ratu Epeli is currently Fiji’s Special Representative on HIV/AIDS.​

MINFO

Fiji President in Melbourne

from w
This afternoon Peceli and I went up to Melbourne to the Hilton Hotel at South Wharf to meet with the President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli, who is here as a delegate for the International Aids Conference then he and his group will go on to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. It was a lovely occasion with a sevusevu from the YWAM young men and about 24 of us gathered together. John Quai Hoi made a most beautiful cake for the occasion and we had afternoon tea as well as yaqona.  Ratu Epeli was relaxed and each one of us introduced ourselves and he answered several questions. The first three photos were taken from John's facebook page.

A Fijian birthday party in Melbourne

from w

Yesterday Peceli and I attended the birthday party of a little girl, Tau, one year old. Named after a beautiful grandmother who passed away over a year ago. At Wyndam Vale. A lovely afternoon with lots of their relatives and friends of Sailosi Vakaloloma's family. Vina'a va'alevu. Children playing in a jumping castle. Lots of young mothers and babies. Fine food - lovo and much more. A prayer and formalities with a cake and beautiful decorations and mats.

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In case you can't access Facebook for all the photos here are some more.

Naseakula people apologize

from w
In recent years a custom of apology and asking for forgiveness has been prominent in many villages throughout Fiji. Apparently this was inspired by some leaders of the Methodist Church by performing what they called 'cleansing ceremonies'.  The people of Naseakula village on the outskirts of Labasa town have done this custom and it seems to me to always be a good thing to right a wrong and apologize. I don't know what the transgressions were but living communally surely often has some problems in relationships.

Tears and emotion as villagers seek forgiveness

Salaseini Moceiwai
Sunday, July 13, 2014

NASEAKULA villagers in Labasa embraced the spirit of forgiveness following an emotional spiritual cleansing ceremony organised by the village's Methodist Church circuit on Friday.

The young and old from the Tuatua, Wasavulu, Sumunaira, Nakoroicake, Tikinaiqawa and Banito clans shed tears and sought each other's forgiveness during the much-awaited ceremony which took place on the village ground.

In his speech, Wasavulu chief Ratu Savenaca Ritova sought the church and the vanua's mercy for his clan and family's transgressions.

A lot of bad things, Ratu Savenaca said, had happened in the past which created a barrier among villagers.

He said some of his actions also contributed to perceived splits in their relational ties, which he was sincerely sorry for.

Ratu Savenaca told the villagers that it was prudent for them to emulate the lifestyle of their forefathers, one that fostered inclusiveness, forgiveness and togetherness.

He also apologised to the church and its faithful. He added they should forgive and forget the past for the purpose of moving forward and creating a healthy relationship.

Circuit steward Ulaiasi Racaku said the ceremony was initiated by the church in a bid to bring the members of the clans together to seek each other's forgiveness.

He said organising such ceremonies was needed to ensure a better, strong and healthy relationship among the villagers.

Naseakula Village Methodist Church 50th anniversary

Salaseini Moceiwai
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

AI

ABOUT 1000 Methodist Church members converged on Naseakula Village in Labasa last Sunday to commemorate
the church's 50th anniversary. etc.

more photos from the Australian Fijian conference

from w
We weren't at the conference fulltime but here are some photos taken by Vula and Va. The trophy for the choir competition was in memory of Emele, a beautiful young mother, who passed away a year ago.

National Conference of Fijian Uniting Church congregations in Australia

from w
The past four days over four hundred people gathered at the Campaspe Downs Conference Centre near Kyneton, Victoria for the National Conference of Fijian congregations of the Uniting Church and what a great time they had. It didn't rain but it was fairly cold especially for the visitors from Darwin and Brisbane.The hospitality was extended brilliantly by the Melbourne people by self-catering in abundance rather than the Campaspe Downs staff look after the kitchen. Lovo food and everything was available.. The sessions were led by a variety of leaders and there was a special focus on youth and small children - 150 of them On today, the last day, there was a farewell church service which included an action chorus and a song from the children, a splendid sermon by Jone Lotu from Darwin, a prayer in an Aboriginal language from a guest from Darwin, and Communion was celebrated  by Rev Eseta Meneilly. A special presentation was made to Dr Rev Jovili Meo and Lisa, so it was a full service with singing hymns and polotu and prayer. We had an opportunity to catch up with friends from many parts of Australia.  These conferences have been going for several years and in the early days Peceli was involved as a Secretary.  Here are some photos from today.