Ex-Drug Addict Graduates from Pacific Polytech
“If we did not receive God at that time, I wouldn’t know if we would come to this school. But that was all God’s plan,” Mr Tagicakibau said.
Thursday 17 April 2025 | 14:14
Once a street kid battling drug addiction, Marika Tagicakibau (right), 20, graduated with a certificate in panel beating from Pacific Polytech. After five years on the streets, his life turned around through faith and support from youth group Team Gideon. "It was all God's plan," he said. On the left is plumbing graduate Maikeli Naulivou. Photo: Ronald Kumar
A former street kid who battled drug addiction for five years has turned his life around after graduating from Pacific Polytech yesterday.
Marika Tagicakibau, 20, graduated with a Certificate in Panel Beating at the institution’s Suva campus in Nabua.
He joined more than 20 former street youths who also graduated with certificates.
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“If we did not receive God at that time, I wouldn’t know if we would come to this school. But that was all God’s plan,” Mr Tagicakibau said.
“This year, Pacific Polytech opened the opportunity. God provided this opportunity for us.”
The Ovalau native shared that he spent nearly five years on the streets after leaving Gospel High School in Form 6.
“I thought I was going to find pleasure in doing drugs that I’ll find something good out of it. But it doesn’t give me anything good,” he said.
Team Youth Gideon
Mr Tagicakibau said his life changed when he joined Team Gideon, a youth group formed under the All Nations Christian Fellowship.
“Last year, we formed this group, the Nabua Youth. All of us, our peers, especially our brothers and sisters, we came to the church and saw that this is good,” he said.
Pastor Joe Tabuya, who is also the counsellor at All Nations Christian Fellowship, explained how the youth group formed.
“It started when my late father passed away and we had this group of kids who come to the community to help out,” Mr Tabuya said.
He stressed that nothing is impossible for youth seeking change.
“My advice to the youth in the community is that nothing is impossible.
“If it’s possible with these kids who come out from the street, then nothing is impossible with them also,” he said.
Pacific Polytech graduates.
Minister praises youth group
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Mosese Bulitavu, who was chief guest, praised the youth group and encouraged those still on the streets to seek similar opportunities.
“They now can find employment, and live that meaningful life, and also go on to become fathers and mothers in the future,” Mr Bulitavu said.
He also urged communities to support these graduates by offering them employment opportunities.
“Most of them are trained with the basic skills and they can have self-employment, like basic plumbing around the community.
“We should assist and this will encourage and motivate them as well as build up their self-esteem,” Mr Bulitavu said.
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