The President of the Methodist Church in Fiji Reverend Tevita Nawadra Banivanua joins the crew of Fiji’s iconic traditional sailing canoe the Uto Ni Yalo this afternoon (Wednesday) at Moala in the Lau group of islands.

Rev Banivanua will also participate in activities on the island that focuses on building community resilience to climate change as well as explore opportunities to advance traditional seafaring as a means of reducing Fiji’s eastern islands reliance on fossil fuels.

Rev Banivanua and his wife will then sail on the Uto Ni Yalo to Matuku where they will join in the environmental and climate change awareness activities as well as officiating at the induction of the Divisional Superintendent of the Methodist Church’s Matuku Division.

“I have followed the voyages of the Uto Ni Yalo and heard a lot about their work and mission from their volunteer chaplain Rev. James Bhagwan,” Rev. Banivanua said.

“The church’s symbol of its new exodus is a drua sailing through rough seas. The work of the Uto Ni Yalo Trust is an example to the church of visionary, courage and commitment to care for the ocean and environment and resilience in the face of climate change through sustainable sea transport,” he said.

“I’m grateful to the Trust for accommodating me on their voyage and look forward to a taste of what they experience in their voyaging.”

Uto ni Yalo Trust secretary Dwain Qalovaki said the Lau group of islands was highly bio diverse in reef fish that support wellbeing and livelihoods.

“The Lau voyage is an opportunity to progress community led solutions to climate change among our maritime islands by employing a faith based approach to environmental stewardship,” Mr Qalovaki said.

Uto ni Yalo is expected back in Suva between September 20-21, 2017.

SOURCE: Methodist Church in Fiji