Climate Change Week: Timoci Talks His Way To Germany
Tailevu Year 7 student Timoci Naulusala is ready for the trip of his life.
While this will be his first overseas travel, he is looking forward to flying to Bonn, Germany for COP23 in November.
The Naivicula District School student won the Climate Week Oratory Contest and his prize is the Bonn trip.
“I could not believe it. I was not expecting to win,” he said.
“But I’m happy with the win and I am looking forward to travelling to Bonn,” he said.
Timoci will be part of the Fijian delegation to be led by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama to the COP23 meeting.
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- PM Voreqe Bainimarama has his thumps up for teary oratory winner Timoci Naulusala of Naivicula Primary School. Photo:Jone Luvenitoga
He said he had never travelled overseas and was looking forward for his first trip.
His mother, Raijieli Tinai, was always pushing him to win.
His teacher, Marica Turaga, helped him and prepared his presentation.
“I spent a lot of time practising my presentation in front of her,” he said.
“She really helped me and my win today is for her, my family and my school.”
His costumes and presentation sent a clear message about the impact of climate change.
Mr Naulusala said the presence of his mother yesterday was a great motivating factor for him.
Ms Tinai who was in tears said: “I’m really a happy mother today and I must thank the good Lord for giving strength to my son to win.”
Her son was announced winner of the Central and Eastern oratory competition. She encouraged him to be strong and aim for the number one position at the closing of the Climate Action Week.
The competitors for the final are: Timoci Naulusala of Naivicula District School, winner of the Central and Eastern Division; Shreya Kumar of Shri Ram Govind Primary School, winner of the Western Division; and Shalvi Shakashi of Nasarawaqa Primary School, Bua, winner of the Northern Division.
The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, said in his keynote address, his spirits had been lifted listening to three exceptional young Fijians speaking about climate change.
“I want to say to Shalvi, Timoci and Shreya of how proud I am of you as Prime Minister and how proud the whole nation should be of the effort you have put into this competition,” he said.
He said while only one would win and represent the young people of Fiji when he spoke at COP itself in Germany in November, the runners-up would be winners too – genuine climate warriors who other Fijian children could look up to as role models.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
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