Twenty young people of Fijian descent living overseas will spend two weeks at the chiefly village of Lomanikoro in Rewa during Christmas this year as part of the pilot project of the Voyager Journey Back Home Program where they will learn how to speak in their mother tongue, eat Fijian meals and participate in programs that will promote a better understanding of Fijian culture.
Speaking at the soft launch of the program themed ‘Connecting Heritage and Sustainability for Future Generations.”, the Marama na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa said preparations was well underway in Rewa for the arrival of the young people from Australia and New Zealand.
“This is a very special project that Michael Mausio and the Voyager: A Journey Back Home have come up with. And we in Rewa, particularly at Lomanikoro where these first group will be billetted are excited about their arrival.”
“We have activities planned for them, trips scheduled, various sports to take part in, crafts to learn and understanding and tasting the different delicacies in Fiji especially in Rewa.”
Event and tour coordinator Michael Mausio said the idea came about after he saw a need amongst Fijian young people in the countries that he travelled to.
“On many of my travels overseas I found that while many of the younger generation identified as Fijians they didn’t have much knowledge of our language for starters and this is where this idea came about. We want our young people overseas to learn and be more aware of our cultures and traditions.”
Itaukei Affairs Senior Program Specialist Unaisi Manulevu said the program was a welcome initiative especially so in the fast paced world every Fijian is living in now.
“We are excited about this program because it helps our work in keeping alive the knowledge of our Fijian way of life, and everything about us as Fijians.”
Partners in the project, Sole Fintech’s Semi Tukana said the company was contributing financial assistance to the 20 hosting families to help with looking after the young visitors.
“This program is the significant and we are delighted to be part of it and to help with the financial training to those involved with the hosting and looking after of the delegates.”
The program will take place over 2 weeks in December and for many of the delegates it will be their first time to spend Christmas away from home.
PC: Itaukei Affairs Trust Board
