Paulini Talatoka was hon­oured on Friday night after she received the Highest Voluntary Service and Commis­sioner’s Award at the St John Am­bulance awards night.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun after re­ceiving the award at Suva’s Studio 6 Apartments, Ms Talatoka said the award gave her the impetus to con­tinue her voluntary service.

“I started as a volunteer last year. I want to dedicate my life serving people,” she said.

“I work every day and I thank God for the encouragement.”

Ms Talatoka said the staff at St John Ambulance gave her the sup­port she needed and she was work­ing towards becoming a nurse in the future.

She lives at Wakanisila settle­ment, Nasinu, with her family.

Paulini Talatoka

31-year-old Inoke Rasumusumu won the 1st Respondent of the Year award.

“Being with St John’s Ambulance has been a great pleasure and an honour. I have been working there as a volunteer since 2014,” he said.

Mr Rasumusumu said that he was not expecting to win the award.

“I want to thank the association for giving me a chance to be a vol­unteer,” he said. “We learn a lot in this job. Not only about different types of illness and medicine, but we learn about different types of people and how we interact with each other.”

He thanked God and his family for the award and opportunity.

“I will continue serving the people of Fiji. I thank my family for the never-ending support,” said Mr Ra­sumusumu.

Officiating at the event, Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the event was an opportunity to “look back and be thankful for the dedica­tion and sacrifice of the officers of the St John Brigade in the past 80 years of enhancing the health and wellbeing of all Fijians”.

Edited by Epineri Vula

Feedback: swashna.chand@fijisun.com.fj