Jone Siqila: “Youths for Integrity” Role Model

As I enter his room to take my laptop, I just make the right amount of noise to let him know of my presence. As I turn, I see his dad standing in the doorway and he asks me politely if Junior should be woken up.  I firmly say that he should sleep. As I walk out Jone Siqila whispers, “Dr V!” A pause. “May you live long!”

Jone Siqila is like a rare bird you find as you walk up a mountain forest to be pleasantly greeted by the bird nestled on a rock close to a cool spring. This analogy also reflects Jone’s adventurous nature as he organizes the Youths for Integrity climate change / environment programs that result in mountain hikes either in Mt Korobaba or Coloisuva or other locations and the refreshing swim in the cool waterfalls or beaches. The films and pictures that result from these outings are produced by Jone. (He now works for FBC TV and this blog piece covers the period before he joined FBC.)

After writing so many stories about youth leaders in the national print media and on the YFI blog I received persistent queries from youths asking when I would get around to writing about Jone Siqila. The delay has partly been due to his humility.  I had asked to write his story so many times and he had requested for more time to think about it and it was only recently that he agreed.

I first met Jone in 2013 when I volunteered for an NGO called Transparency Fiji. Prior to that, Jone had worked at ANZ in the marketing department. At that time I did part time work as a lecturer and did some Board work. At TF, I worked with Jone on national surveys, civic education workshops and producing films on integrity and anti-corruption. The work on civic youth leadership later extended to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the National Youth Council and UNDP. These assignments took us all over Fiji. Three youth personalities (amongst the many) that stood out in their support of Jone’s work were Ratu Wiliame Nayacatabu, Tupou Nawaikula and Emily Erasito.

Jone is from Bau with maternal links to Rotuma. His mum is Tongan. He has three brothers; Kauata, Bill and Taniela with Jone being the youngest. When we first met, we had spoken to each other in English. I though he was Samoan and he thought I was from Tuvalu.

His Polynesian looks can have its funny moments. In a Tailevu village, some ladies asked in the iTaukei language (in his presence) if he ate rourou and other iTaukei foods. We had to explain that he is from Bau and most certainly eats all local foods! I have also had the situation of people asking me politely how my son was. After seeing my quizzical look, they would describe Jone and I would explain that we are work colleagues. His dad is handsomer! “But you are also handsome,” they often say. “You are too kind,” I reply sincerely.

Jone is very humble, hard-working and is a great role model for young people. He has a talent for producing short films that create impact on viewers in terms of getting across the messages of Integrity portrayed in them. He had attended the CPAC film production training conducted by Macquarie University in Tahiti and came back with valuable skills that matched his personal talent. One of our great music videos on Integrity starring Samu Walosio and Lusi Tupou was produced by Jone. All of our flash mobs, role plays were also choreographed by him.

The many young people who have gone through YFI trainings and have been inculcated film editing and production skills can thank Jone for those skills. I got to writing most of the films produced by Jone because he had taught me script writing skills.

One of the humorous side effects of working with him is that almost everyone thinks we are usually together. I will get phone calls or FB inboxes asking for his phone number or his whereabouts. When I am in the West or any other part of Fiji, youths will invariably ask me how Jone is and request that I give him their warmest regards. The requests can also come from unusual places! I had gone to watch a movie at Village 6 and in the packed crowd, a NYCF rep from Levuka asked me in a loud voice how Jone Siqila was. “He’s okay,” I blurted out the first thing that came to my mind. All the bystanders looked intently at me with eyes that were like sharp drills to see if there was a hint of sensitivity or delicateness in my demeanor. I had told Jone (drily) that with so many people asking me about him I should be his Manager! That might not be a bad idea, he quipped!

Dokanaisuva where Jone lives is a centre for Youths for Integrity training programs. The Australian High Commission had renovated their MYF Hall. This means that I and other facilitators and participants are billeted in homes including Jone’s.

He now works for FBC TV and speaks highly and is very grateful of the mentoring role provided by Andhy Blake.

His tight schedule means that he often is excluded from current YFI trainings and often sleeps late especially in the weekends. As I enter his room to take my laptop I just make the right amount of noise to let him know of my presence. As I turn, I see his dad standing in the doorway and he asks me politely if Junior should be woken up.  I firmly say that he should sleep.

As I walk out Jone Siqila whispers, “Dr V!” A pause. “May you live long!”

Fiji’s World Rugby Sevens Bid #Fijifor7s

Joseph Veramu
Two things have come out clearly from FRU’s bid to host a tournament in the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2019-2020. First, the public spat with Ben Ryan may not necessarily be a bad thing given the international publicity the bid has generated. Second, there appears to be a growing external perception that Fiji needs to be seriously considered in its bid. The South China Morning Post, for example, quotes Referee Rasta Rasivhenge as acknowledging that, “it would be the greatest thing in the world” for a World Sevens Tournament to be held in Fiji.

The same article also notes that, “while all the challenges must certainly be given their due consideration, overall one can’t help but feel that the World Series simply must come here at some stage, preferably sooner rather than later. Fiji is the heartbeat of World Sevens and it’s time to take the game at the highest level back to the people that love it most.”

Rugby like religion is a highly charged topic with everyone holding very strong emotional views. I say this with dread because I now must bring up for discussion the issue of FRU’s bid and Ben Ryan refusal to support it. I use the word ‘dread’ because in the fast moving landscape of national rugby, public opinion is so fluid that I might wake up in the morning to find myself (on social media) transformed into Darth Vader or (if teenagers are involved) Lord Voldermort!

The FRU had alerted Ben Ryan in August 2017 seeking his support for the World Seven bid. Ryan had declined. The FRU had nevertheless decided to go ahead. Ryan has written on his Facebook page that he did not back Fiji’s bid because the costs were high and it would not be possible to make a profit. He said that overseas consultants had requested $1 million to prepare the bid. He also questioned why FRU was wasting money with media ads. The FRU defended itself saying that the figures quoted as the cost of the bid were greatly exaggerated and were not factual. The FRU also clarified that all TV and radio advertisements are being provided free of charge to support the national bid. Media outlets have clarified that they are running the FRU bid ads as a free public service.

Sports tourism is a huge money earner for Fiji. There are big investments in sports facilities throughout the nation and in hosting various international events. As the Americans say, to make money you have to spend money. While the investment may not yield immediate returns, they will eventually do so. Part of this strategy involves the Fiji International Golf Event, the hosting of a Super Rugby match and the World Rugby Sevens bid 2019 - 2020. The Pan - Pacific Swimming Championship, 2019 IWF World Junior Weightlifting Championships and the 2021 INF World Under-20 Netball Cup are happening in Fiji. Fiji will also host the 21st InterHash Super Meet in Nadi this year. This will involve 4000 overseas participants.

It appears that prior to World Rugby bid, there had been some friction between FRU and Ryan which probably could have been ironed out with some good old fashioned talanoa. The friction started after the Rio Olympics win when Ryan had been asked to continue as Fiji’s 7s coach. He had declined preferring to take up new challenges. The FRU thinking was that Ryan had ‘moved on’ meaning that was the end of him as far as Fiji rugby was concerned and FRU would work things out with a new coach. Ryan however had a different perspective feeling that he owed the Fijian rugby loving public a duty to continue to push for the development of the sport locally and internationally.

Ryan was a kind of HSBC ambassador for the sport starting in 2016. In this capacity it appeared that Ryan felt he could continue to support Fiji rugby development. Within this notion, he continued to be critical of challenges like the need to have contracts and better pay for Sevens players even suggesting that they form a franchise.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported in early 2017 that Ryan is passionate about a Super Rugby team based in Fiji. In November 2016 he suggested a AUS$33 million proposal for a franchise to play in a 20,000-seat stadium on Denarau. FRU had pointed out that they had not been involved in these discussions. Reuters reported in February 2017 that SANZAAR CEO Andy Marinos commented (SANZAAR is the body which operates Super Rugby) that "It seems strange that there is a campaign being led by Ben Ryan, mainly in the press, that could impact directly on Super Rugby and yet SANZAAR is completely in the dark about the proposal. SANZAAR would welcome a conversation and is very open to talking with Ben or any of his associates on his proposed plan should he choose to engage with us."

Ryan appears sincere about making rugby a lucrative income earner not just for Fijians but Pacific Islanders. The best way forward for Ben Ryan is to constructively engage with FRU at an interpersonal level rather than on social media and possibly work in partnership with them.  Reuters reports that SANZAAR might be amenable to discussions for an expansion to the tournament at the end of the current TV deal in 2020. FRU would need to be involved in any of these discussions and take the lead role. It will need all the support it can get. A better approach would be to engage directly with FRU rather than on social media.

An Allegorical Tale of Trust

by Torika Dokoni Vosavakadua (Read her inspiring blog: https://torikavosavakadua.wordpress.com/

She was stunned when she first came across it — a beautiful, delicate, small flower pushing through the hard earth. The Creator said it represented her heart. He had warned her she would feel pain as it grew, but she would experience deep joy as well.

Her Creator — whose eyes were continuously on her — smiled with joy when He saw her notice the flower peeking through the earth.

As she viewed it, she grimaced, recalling the intense, sharp pain she felt when the Creator worked to plant the seed into the hardened earth. Afterward, it throbbed, a dull and steady pain. She often doubted the love the Creator proclaimed to have for her. Why must it hurt so?

After He planted it, she would often visit the sacred plot. “I don’t see anything growing,” she would tell Him. He would look at her with eyes full of intense love, and he would say, “Wait and trust Me.”

She waited, often in disappointment because what she longed to see was slow in growing. She could feel the roots deepening, though the flower had yet to be seen. So she continued on the path the Creator led her down, and with every disappointment along the way, the roots of the plant deepened.

One morning, quite unexpectedly, she glimpsed a flower pushing through the earth.  Its petals were a vibrant blue with violet tips and a yellow-white center. It was no ordinary flower. The petals appeared sturdy, and the stem was encased in an intricate sleeve laced with gold and silver.

“Its name is Trust,” said the Creator as she knelt by the flower, examining the beautiful petals.

The Creator chuckled when He saw the delicate way she examined the flower. He knew the flower’s petals would not be torn — they could not be torn. But she was not as confident.

After a thorough inspection, she said, “It’s small but strong.” She paused, hesitating. “It is beautiful, but it is so small … I endured so much pain to grow it. Shouldn’t it be bigger?”

The Creator smiled. “No, Beloved, that will come. Growth will be a little easier now. It will grow into a large, strong and beautiful flower in time.”

They sat together in silence for some time. She continued to examine the flower, transfixed.

Finally, the Creator asked her, “Did you feel it when the roots grew?”

She nodded. “Oh yes, I felt it during difficult and painful circumstances.”

“Yes, Trust is difficult to grow in some of my children. The roots must make it through the very hard ground of unbelief. It is a very painful process for you and for Me.”

“Where did the roots go?”

They were growing toward the Spring of Living Water. That spring is what’s needed to sustain it. I had to send many storms to soften the hard ground, so the roots could make it to the spring.”

She nodded and quietly reflected on the trust that was slowly but surely overriding the doubt, confusion and pain that frequently attacked her.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, recalling a verse from the Creator’s sacred text: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Queen Esther’s Inspirational Stories

Yes she has friends,  Yes she has family,  Yes she has best friends; she’s strong, smart, beautiful, she’s just 21 but she’s also  a fighter...
We are reprinting excerpts from Esther Daveta’s Blog (Queen Esther). It contains stories to inspire, written with heartfelt emotions to give hope….that spoken words cannot describe. PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK:  https://life9056.wordpress.com/

Dr V says, "Had I read these inspirational stories as a teenager I would have navigated life's many challenges more constructively! Be inspired to write narratives of your life's journeys through personal blogs."

A fighter who’s trying to uphold Godly values and morale. It’s hard being a ‘young ‘kirei' (beautiful-Japanese ) Fijian buiniga ’21’ girl with values and godly principles to uphold and stand for.
“Wow, she used to do this before, she was the one who….”,
“Is she really not gonna come with us to the club to celebrate ‘Lu’s 21st'”...
They all ridiculed her and stomped her with ‘her past’. This did not break her down but made her stronger than she was before. Lost some of her friends, her old habits, even the young blonde man that had promised to never leave her, left.
She realized friends, family & even the guy who said he’ll take a bullet for her,  causes you more pain than a bullet, will never keep their promises at times and that God is forever faithful.
Thing is society, has imprinted the thought that we should take revenge on those that have hurt us, that we should hate them, curse them & ignore them.  That’s what society, this world wants us to DO.
But as a young woman and man of God, what would you do. Like for real?
Be honest here! What would you actually do?
Now take that thought and compare of what WOULD Jesus do, more like what DID Jesus DO? *deep sigh* yeah, that’s right. He forgave. He showed love to those that cursed him & he hung on that rugged cross with OUR endless sins with him,  as his blood shed down his nailed feet. That’s what he did for US. That’s why, personally it’s hard to portray the ‘WWJD’ [what would Jesus do] act as young as myself.
People will talk about you, ridicule you, bring up your past against you, even backstab you; But you stand strong,  you fix your eyes on the cross, because thing is, we were never promised  a smooth road. Standing for Jesus, standing for this amazing God is hard but is worth every second of my life.  

Esther pictured with friends at the National Youth Leaders Camp held in Navoci Nadi on Jan 11-13, 2018

Yes, we have our own weaknesses but this doesn’t stop us from proclaiming God’s grace that we don’t deserve & his eternal love. I fell, I came back up, I failed, I came back up, again & again & again & again. A Champion doesn’t give up! 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (For when I am weak, then I am strong ). Try this God. Have a meaningful personal relationship with the risen Christ.
Believe me, he will use you for the greater things ahead of you, because he is doing so for me.💕✊//

Overcoming Challenges and Developing One’s Full Potential: The Story of Joeli Bili

by Joseph Veramu
 One powerful impression I got after getting acquainted with Joeli Bili is that personal challenges are an integral part of our daily lives. However if we have a positive attitude, trust in God to deal with our problems and put our hearts and minds into succeeding, we will achieve our goals.

The Youths for Integrity Network has been an important part of Joeli’s life. He shares that, “I am a living testimony and am forever grateful for my involvement with YFI which has enabled me to come out of my comfort zone and successfully get this job. The YFI workshops are very helpful in making us articulate our views and gain confidence.”
Joeli applied for a civil service job with the Ministry of Economy and was successful. Just a week ago, he was promoted from an Information Officer to a Training Officer. He admits that with so many youths applying for fewer job opportunities, one needs to stand out in the crowd in the sense that one must exude confidence, be articulate, have self-initiative and be imbued with the values of integrity. Of course, since youths are going through their own self-journeys, they will face many personal hardships and that is where one’s spiritual life becomes very important. Alluding to his own example, he says, “We can do all things through God who strengthens us.”

Joeli hails from Lakeba, Lau, from the village of Yadrana with maternal links to Waitabu. He was raised in a very conservative Christian milieu and his family has motivated, inspired and shaped his character building him to become the person that he is today. One important lesson from his family is that one must work hard to develop one’s full potential. This is an affirming message he wants to share with all youths in Fiji and beyond. “Although my parents have raised me in a very conservative setting with very strict conditions, I am deeply grateful to them as it has allowed me to keep track of my goals in life and not being swayed away by unnecessary things.”
Joeli admits that when he was child, he always wanted to become a teacher, seeing it as very appealing especially in shaping future leaders. However, as he grew to adolescence and young adulthood, his interests changed to social science studies.
Currently, he is undertaking degree extension studies in Journalism and Political Science at USP. He says that he “enjoyed it. Last year, I got to experience studying and working at the same time. I love it and encourage young people to excel in their education and try to further their studies whenever they can. I’ve seen for myself how often people would say “I can’t study cause I’ve got full time work.”  I would challenge this thinking! When you have the will, nothing is impossible. I still even got A+ while I’m working! It all comes down to time-management and making the right choices.“
Close friends of Joeli describe him as someone who values serving others and is actively involved in community work. A normal weekly schedule for Joeli would be : Monday to Friday are work days, Saturday is attending to school work and other youth engagements and Sunday is mentoring with students at St. Christopher’s Home through the Mentor Me Fiji Foundation. He is very heavily occupied but even with these tight schedules, he still manages to have fun and have a few bottles of wine with friends!
Joeli admits that, “Life is not about making yourself busy, it’s about making yourself happy. So whatever we do, we should always be happy and know that our Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan of salvation for everyone. So be happy, for God is great and he hears our prayers.”
On the topic of Volunteering Joeli says, “People often have the perspectives that volunteering for a worthy cause is a waste of time mainly because it is unpaid work. But to get a job easily nowadays, I would highly recommend youths to grab internship and volunteering opportunities. It’s not only about serving others but getting to know the real person you are as well as keeping your CV filled with constructive experiences.
Joeli is a private student at USP which means that his studies are self-funded. He admits that, “There came the time where I had to look for a job to help in financing my studies and there were many days when I really faced a lot of challenges. Now that I have secured a job as Information Officer, I am happy as the saying goes “To get to the rose, we have to come across thorns. We should never lose hope as the road is still long to be discovered.”
Joeli says that he has had to learn to be “open-minded in getting to impart issues such as human rights to his close friends and relatives. Joeli admits that the culture of silence is indeed a social issue in itself. “To some of the people close to me, Human Rights is something like the name of Lord Voldemort from the Harry Potter movies that cannot be mentioned under any circumstances. I have had to tell them that human rights issues need to be discussed honestly and openly.”

Joeli’s advice to young people, “Live your life to the fullest, be happy and never lose hope in whatever your wildest dreams are. We are too young to live sad lives! But whatever you do, remember there is a Living God and always give thanks to him even for the very little achievements you have gained.”

A Note from Dr V: “Joeli is one of our very successful youth leaders having actively taken part in YFI events and the National Youth Parliament. He is very generous and has helped to fund three workshops for disadvantaged youths (even though he only had part time work at that time).
Joeli also has a reputation as a great debater and his Oceania Arts and Culture Studies debate team was declared the champions after winning the final debating contest at the 2017 USP FALE Debate Series. One big lesson I have learnt from Joeli is that we must have a positive attitude, persevere in our goals and trust in Jehovah through the risen Christ.”
Blog piece by J Veramu

An Inspiring Story of Success

“She was about midway through her Year 13 studies last year when she found out she was pregnant.” This inspiring story about Raijieli Salabale appeared in the Fiji Sun on November 23^rd, 2017. “Where most would have perhaps put on hold their education two years or more, Raijieli Salabale did not. She was determined to give her child a better life. And it was all thanks to her parents, her mother especially, that she was able to do it.”

Anela Batisele Liwaki a YFI leaders currently studying for a BSc in Environment and Biology commented that, “Her parents are instrumental in her being successful, they supported & encouraged her all throughout. At times we hear of parents shunning their daughters for teenage pregnancy. But this is testimony that support by parents through rough times, can help a person through obstacles & allow them to reach greater heights and achieve their full potential. Also, when there is a will there is a way, Raijieli wanted a better life for herself, she wasn't discouraged and she worked hard to achieve what she did. That is great and brave because usually, a girl in this situation is stigmatized and usually looked down at by society. But she proved that wrong. She is a symbol of a strong young woman. In my opinion, her story will be great inspiration for young girls who finds themselves in this situation.”

“In 2017, Raijieli returned to complete what she started and she reaped a sweet reward as she was announced the dux of William Cross College in Makoi on Tuesday. She beamed as she held onto her trophy and thought of her mother who was present and her child. Reijili dedicated her award to her parents saying that their support motivated her to return to school. “They always told me to do good and get somewhere in life and study hard,” the 19-year-old said.

Sera Vasunitokolau, 47, said: “Today I am a proud mother because she faced all obstacles and won the dux award.” She said as a mother she would not see herself step aside from her motherly role and continue to show love for her daughter. “She is my only daughter, I would talk to her day and night for her to study hard and strive for a better life. “I have five boys younger than Reijili but for her I always told her that every female has to stand on her own two feet to prove their success.”

 Mili Iga a Research Officer at JICA commented that “A strong support system is essential for any child's growth and wellbeing. Most families have forgotten the base which makes us stronger "love". For it is love that forms a family. Reijeli Salabale has proved that nothing is impossible if one has the determination and perseverance to soar to greater heights."

Reijeli Salabale has proved that nothing is impossible if one has the determination and perseverance to soar to greater heights. https://fijisun.com.fj/2017/11/23/young-mum-dux-proves-it-can-be-done/

Empowering Youth Voices in Policy Formulation

By: Herleen Emily

‘Youths are our resources, not our problems,’ this was the main objective of the Ministry of Youth- Youth Review Consultation at the Tokatoka Resort on Monday 20^th November, 2017. I was fortunate to get an invitation by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to contribute in this reviewing consultation. It was one of the best reviewing consultation that I had recently attended.

The main mission of this consultation was to mend the current Ministry of Youth Policies. The four main pillars of the Ministry of Youths were discussed to the grass root people (youths). These pillars were:

·         Personal Development
·         Program Development
·         Institutional & Regulatory
·         Locality & Relational Development

Where youths like us raised our views regarding the registration of youth clubs and why non-registered youth clubs were not recognized by the Ministry of youths and sports. There were many delegates who attended this consultation from the diverse work places who also rose views regarding the programs the Ministry was initiating and if these programs worked for the grass root people.

We had the divisional youth officer with us who tried his level best to answer our questions. Another issue that I brought to light was the complex and complicated youth club registration form where many rural and also urban youth clubs are unable to register due to the form asking the youth club’s bank account number, constitution, etc.

We also talked about the core reasons of generation gap in our society. We have generation gap mainly in the Pacific where there is a culture of silence, not because we young people are afraid but because they have respect for elder people. We had senior citizens in the workshop that raised the issue why elder people were not included into youth clubs. The reason being young people will not be able to speak what they intend to speak with issues like sex, rape, sexual harassment, etc in the presence of an elderly person. I personally believe, that it is time elder people view things in the perspective of a youth to eradicate generation gap. This will also lead to a healthy relationship between the elderly and the young people.

The total number of youth clubs in Nadi registered under the Ministry of Youths and Sports are 376 however, only 40% are active with consultation asking our views on this, I again went back to the complexity of the monthly report form which discourages young people to report to the Ministry due to the fact that some young people cannot write reports and the Ministry officials do not visit these clubs after it has been registered.

We also raised our issue on rewarding youth clubs for successfully completing club projects just to boost the self esteem of youths to do much better the next time they undertake another project. The high number of criminal activities by youths was also highlighted and what are the core issues of this? How Non Communicable Diseases can be prevented amongst youths? Social issues were raised like sexual harassment, rape, child abuse, etc.

In the consultation we also had participants from the Nadi Rugby league and other sport reps to voice their issues regarding the policies of the Ministry of Youths. One thing that I have learnt is that sports are a very powerful took to discipline young people. We were given examples by these reps, for instance rugby clubs. When a youth enters rugby clubs he eventually learns to behave appropriately and also is able to showcase his talents to the world. So it is very vital that we knock the doors of these sporting clubs to involve the younger generation in some kind of sports whether it is recreational or competition.

Under the Ministry of youths Pillar 2 Program development there are many programs the Ministry were carrying out, however the question raised at the consultation was if these programs really work for the youths of Fiji. Some of the programs are:
·         Seeds of success
·         Youth employment training
·         Youth leadership training
·         Youth Camp
·         Cultural exchanges
·         Seasonal programs, etc

We all came out with the key message that these programs should be simple, understandable, workable, relatable and relevant for the youths as these programs are also introduced in rural and maritime areas. A recent survey was done last month and statistics state that there are about 90,000 people living in Nadi. So with this survey presented in the consultation an issue was raised to the Ministry of Youths whether they reach out to the young people or to only the registered youth clubs because not all the youths are part of youth organization.

I personally raised an issue at the consultation for the Ministry of youth to have a youth office or officer based in Nadi, so by early next month a youth officer will be based in Nadi at the DO’s office and five youth officers have been taken in to go to different youth clubs in a month or two to listen to their problems.  Another issue raised was if the community and family members support/encourage their youths to be part of a social organization? Well, after this consultation I was very much pleased with the responses and the views raised by youths and other community members regarding the Ministries policies.

When I personally analyze this consultation, I feel a change will soon come in the Ministry of Youth and sports department. Not only this consultation seeks views of the elder people but also the youths who were representing their different youth clubs. I feel honored to be part of this consultation as we had an opportunity to voice the issues we had with us.