Tin-drumming Sessions Funds Back-to-School Shopping for Wailoku Youngsters
Mr Baleloa thanked kind supporters and parents who had backed them through money and kindness.
Friday 19 January 2024 | 10:36
Members of Wailoku Tin Band with their stationery at Korolailai Settlement, Wailoku on January 17, 2024. Photos: Wati Talebula-Nuku
Nine young students out of the Wailoku Tin Band are excited to go back to school after raising $1584 to help fund their back-to-school shopping.
Nine bags, each packed with eight exercise books, one Math’s 4C book and stationeries were presented to them at the Korolailai Settlement in Wailoku on Wednesday.
After presenting the books and stationaries band leader, Joseva Seroa Baleloa, 23, said it was a proud moment for him because it built the band members capabilities to earn through proper means rather than rely on handouts.
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“After receiving about $2,500 from our last tin-drumming sessions in Suva last week, the group came back to me and asked if we could do another session to help buy school stuff because the $200 government assistance could only buy them their footwear and uniforms,” he said.
Not thinking twice about their request Baleloa put rugby on hold and regrouped band members to practise for another fundraising drive around the Suva- Nausori corridor.
The group has 16 children, nine of whom are still in school.
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Baleloa thanked kind supporters and parents who had backed them through money and kindness.
“Ever since featuring in Doctor T’s Facebook live feed, we have been getting a lot of praise, even to the extent where people sent in money via M-PAiSA,” he said.
Everything worked out well because group members upheld the one value he asked them to observe “obedience”.
Viliame Rayawa, 15, has been with the band since 2016.
Being the oldest of three siblings, Viliame saw this as a way to help his parents.
He said other bands could do the same thing by using their skills and talent to help themselves first.
Mr Baleloa hopes their story will inspire others to do the same and even more.
There is no stopping the determination of the Waliloku Tin Band members and Baleloa who are grateful for humble beginnings with an aim to do more by setting good examples for others to follow.
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