Namosi youth brings village vision to tech hackathon

When 22-year-old Ratu Meli Manumanunitoga arrived in Suva for the Fiji Innovation Hub hackathon, he carried more than ambition — he carried the hopes of his village.

Originally from Wainimakutu in Namosi, with maternal ties to Nasoqo in Naitasiri, Ratu Meli grew up in a rural community where access to technology was limited. But limited access did not mean limited vision.

“Sometimes when you grow up in the village, you feel like big opportunities are only for people in the city,” he said. “I wanted to challenge that.”

The two-day hackathon brings together young innovators and gives them 48 hours to turn ideas into digital solutions in areas such as financial technology and sustainability.

For Ratu Meli, it represents more than competition, it represents access.

For him, joining the programme was not about prize money or recognition.

“I wanted to prove to myself that I can create something meaningful,” he said. “And I wanted to learn skills that I can take back home.”

Growing up in the highlands of Namosi, he saw firsthand the challenges rural communities face — limited access to services, information gaps and fewer opportunities for young people.

“I kept thinking, what if we could use technology to make things easier for our people?” he said.

That thought pushed him to apply for the hackathon.

Walking into a room filled with developers, entrepreneurs and mentors was intimidating at first. But instead of stepping back, he chose to step forward.

“I told myself, even if I don’t win, I will gain experience. That alone is worth it,” he said.

Ratu Meli hopes the knowledge he gains will one day help him create solutions that support farmers, small business owners and students in rural areas.

“I don’t just want to look for a job,” he said. “I want to build something that can help others.”

As teams work through tight deadlines and long hours, Ratu Meli remains focused — not just on the competition, but on the bigger picture.

For a young man from Wainimakutu, standing among innovators and industry leaders already sends a powerful message: talent is not limited by geography.

“Sometimes, it is simply waiting for a chance,” he said.

Feedback: rariqi.turner@fijisun.com.fj