The 54 villages in the province of Rewa have surpassed the targeted amount and collected $165,000 during the Rewa Day celebrations at Syria Park, Nausori.

The organising committee had initially targeted $160,000.

Chairman and former school principal Pita Tagicakiverata said the amount included $5000 contribution from the descendents of the first Girmitiyas who are now officially members of the province of Rewa.

“Our new family members have requested that their $5000 donation go directly to the education scholarship fund,” he said.

Mr Tagicakiverata also received assurance from them that they would contribute to the fund annually.

From the total amount collected the provincial levies of the 54 villages will be deducted and given to the Rewa Provincial Council, while the rest will go towards the Rewa Education Scholarship Fund which has been running for 10 years.

The scholarship he said was primarily for law, medicine and pilot school studies.

Based on a research, Mr Tagicakiverata said these were three professional areas that the province was lagging in.

There has been only two lawyers from the province, but now they have more than 20 lawyers.

“We are also going to give a share to the Rewa Church circuit. In the district we prioritise the church and education,” he said.

The Roko Tui Dreketi accepted Christianity in 1838.

Mr Tagicakiverata said the Rewa Day and its objective was the initiative of the Marama Bale Na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa. It started in 2006 where they collected $200,000.

Yesterday, the province held a thanksgiving service at the Nausori Methodist Church. He said it was only fitting to thank the Almighty for the successful 2016 Rewa Day.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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