Villagers from Matuku Island in Lau have successfully raised nearly $300,000 to support the establishment of the Matuku Secondary School, a crucial step for the community’s educational development. The fundraising event took place during the annual Matuku Day celebrations at Yaroi Village, coinciding with Fiji Day, and carried the theme “Education at Matuku’s Progress.”
Jiujiua Tikoilakeba, representing the Matuku USA, lauded the efforts of the international community in supporting this initiative. He emphasized the importance of the project not only as a financial endeavor but as a means to promote development through collective unity.
Naisa Tuinaceva, the Assistant Minister for Public Works, Transport and Meteorological Services, and a native of Lomati Village on Matuku, praised the villagers for their resolve and vision. He highlighted the spectacle of community cooperation, known as solesolevaki, which symbolizes the driving force behind rural communities. Tuinaceva remarked that the villagers are proactively shaping their future rather than relying on external aid.
The construction of the secondary school, alongside teachers’ accommodations, aims to address rural-urban migration by enabling local children to remain with their families while pursuing their education. Tuinaceva described this as an initial step in tackling broader societal issues and reinforcing resilient family structures.
Ratu Lorima Niumataiwalu, the Turaga na Tui Matuku, shared that the journey toward establishing a secondary school on Matuku began in 1967 but faced numerous challenges. He expressed gratitude to the villagers for uniting to transform a long-held dream into reality. Ratu Lorima also acknowledged a traditional matanigasau, or apology, for prior financial mismanagements that contributed to delays in the project.
“This day marks not only the realization of a vision but promises greater opportunities for our island ahead,” Ratu Lorima said.
The commitment to education on Matuku resonates with ongoing initiatives across Fiji to enhance academic opportunities for youth. In Macuata, for instance, twelve districts have pledged to collectively raise $360,000 to improve education, responding to growing concerns over the recent results of the Fiji Eighth Year Examination, where thousands of students did not pass. These community-driven efforts highlight a shared commitment to creating future possibilities through education.
The overall momentum from these efforts illustrates a hopeful trajectory for the people of Matuku and surrounding regions, as they work together to build a brighter future for their children through education and community involvement.