Youth camp to help restore hope amid rising drug and HIV cases

The Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma will host its inaugural combined Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) Central Division camp from December 8 to 12, 2025.

This will be its first major youth gathering of this scale in more than a decade.

The milestone event will bring together young people from all 14 Methodist divisions in the central region, with sessions set for the Methodist Lay Training Centre and Lelean Memorial School in Davuilevu, Nausori.

Social pressure

With rising HIV cases, the surge in drug-related offences and growing social pressures affecting young Fijians, church leaders said this year’s gathering was both timely and urgent.

“We are leaving no gaps behind,” said Reverend Inoke Waqanisau of the MYF Central Division Camp Organising Team.

“Our young people today face the realities of drugs, online influence, mental health challenges, unemployment, and peer pressure. This camp aims to bring them hope, grounding, and direction.”

The MYF Central Division Camp forms part of the Methodist Church’s annual youth programme, which will see all four major regions host camps simultaneously.

While the Central Division meets in Davuilevu, the Western Division will gather at Tavua District School, with parallel camps planned for the Northern and Maritime Divisions—ensuring nationwide participation.

The Methodist Church’s Young People’s Department caters to a wide age range, from Sunday School children to Junior MYF teens and full MYF youth members.

Although the upcoming camp is primarily for MYF youth, younger participants from children and teen ministries are also expected to attend.

Theme

Organisers anticipate at least 500 young people at the Central Division camp alone.

Rev. Waqanisau said the camp theme, “Discipleship and Evangelism: Voices of Hope,” reflects the church’s commitment to supporting youths at a time when many feel overwhelmed by social and economic pressures.

“Our youths are navigating the rise of methamphetamine in communities, increasing sexual health risks, cyberbullying, gambling temptations, and even violence in schools and settlements,” he said.

“These are not distant issues these are challenges happening in our villages, in our urban centres and sometimes even inside our church halls.”

The camp will incorporate spiritual sessions, counselling, leadership training, and open discussions to help young people build resilience and confidence.

“This is more than just a camp it is a movement to shape grounded and hopeful young leaders who can stand firm despite the pressures around them,” Rev. Waqanisau said.

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