The former Ambassador for Fiji to Brussels, Japan and Indonesia, Seremaia Cavuilati, is among four mentors for the Fiji Corrections Service’s Sow A Seed programme.

He said he would be guiding his young charge back into the world.

“We need to provide a leeway that is filled with love, care, trust and acceptance for the inmates who are on their way to being released,” he said.

The inmates were introduced to their mentors by the Fiji Corrections Service psychologists yesterday.

There are four mentors and four inmates under the programme this year.

The Sow a Seed (SAS) programme assists in the delivery of a holistic rehabilitation programme to promote sustainable change in the lives of the inmates.

The 70-year-old retired civil servant said that he will use principles from the Bible to help his charge lead a Christ-like life in our society.

“So that is something that is required for those who are in prison today and that is where I can contribute. Also, in advising them what they can do and what opportunities are there in the society,” the former civil servant said.

A second time mentor, Laiakini Waqanisau said when you do something for the community, the benefits come to you one way or another.

The 40-year-old runs a business that specialises in landscaping and farming.

He started as a mentor for the programme in 2019.

As the prison centres were closed to visitors most of last year, the majority of his mentoring took place over Skype sessions.

His former charge has enrolled at the Monfort Boys Town, starting this year.

The Sow A Seed (SAS) programme is targeted at first offenders between the ages of 19 to 25 who have 12 months left to serve their sentences.

The Sow A Seed (SAS) programme has been running for two years.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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