Students Row Their Way To School
“We live in Nabuna outside Votua Village in Lekutu, Bua, with about five houses, and it takes us about 15-minute bilibili ride to reach the main village. From there, we’re connected to road, schools, and shops.”
Thursday 01 February 2024 | 07:54
Selaima Radinibeqa, Sisilia Mereadani of Nabuna, Lekutu, Bua take a 15 minute bilibili ride to school everyday. They attend Lekutu District School. Primary and Secondary school's across the country started the new academic year on January 30, 2024.
Meri Ravono, Sisilia Mereadani, and Selaima Radinibeqa continue with an age old tradition of transportation to school on their first day of the new academic year
While many urban students take the bus or private vehicles, cousins, Meri, Sisilia, and Selaima are among students who use the bilibili.
Photos of them went viral yesterday on social media, after their aunt, Emele Buluilagi, posted photos of them onboard a bililbili (bamboo raft) in the uniform and a knapsack.
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“I was really surprised because it didn’t even take one hour for my post to be widely shared, and it’s not new, I have been doing it.
When I was in school, our parents used the same mode of transportation,” Ms Buluilagi said.
Sisilia Mereadani, Meri Ravono, and Selaima Radinibeqa on their way to first day of school on January 30, 2024.
“Our water source has dried up. Now we get water from this creek and for drinking purposes from Votua Village,” Ms Buluilagi said.
“When there is inclement weather, there is no school so they miss out on school work.
“We have been using this mode of transport for years, a 15-minute bilibili ride, a five-minute walk through the forest to reach Votua Village.”
“I wouldn’t call it a problem, but this is the humble beginning many urban children don’t experience.”
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