Children Of Viseisei, Lauwaki Encouraged To Care For Ocean
Taukei Sawaieke of Vuda Village, Iliesa Cebaivalu Namuaira, says now is the time to educate Fijian children to care for the ocean.
He made this comment during a three-day excursion at the Vuda Marina in Lautoka. Children learned about traditional and modern-day sailing.
Mr Namuaira said the introduction for the children was to allow them to become more knowledgeable about both modern and traditional sailing.
“The objective is to relate ourselves to the ocean, how to keep the ocean clean and also learn about sailing,” he said.
“Fijians, iTaukei must know more about traditional sailing because our forefathers used this once as their only mode of transportation when moving from island to island.
“This knowledge has been forgotten and now we are trying to revive that again.”
He said the ocean was the main source of livelihood for all Pacific Islanders, thus the continuous need to care for the ocean was vital.
“Our relationship with the ocean is important because the ocean is part of our life, we should keep it clean,” he added.
The excursion was organised by the Vuda Sailing Club in partnership with the Uto Ni Yalo Trust.
More than 200 children from the villages of Viseisei and Lauwaki, including children from parts of Lautoka and Nadi were involved.
Organisers, Emilie Myers and her husband, Stuart, had been running the programme for seven years.
“We educate children from nearby villages on the importance of sailing and why we must care for the ocean,” she said.
“I hope that after the conclusion of the three eventful days, the children would be able to learn how to swim and sail.”
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