Thirty-five-year-old Salesi Biu Baleikivuya attributes his transformative journey to the rehabilitation programs provided by the Fiji Corrections Service. Currently in the final year of his 14-year sentence, Baleikivuya has actively participated in the Corrections Business Unit’s joinery program.
Hailing from Bua, he spent his early years in various informal settlements in Suva, including Raiwaqa, Raiwai, and Jittu Estate. Reflecting on his past, Baleikivuya acknowledges that his upbringing and the influence of his peers played significant roles in the decisions that led to his incarceration. However, he is now committed to rebuilding his life.
At the Fiji Corrections Service, Baleikivuya has been employed in the joinery unit, where he earns four dollars per day. He emphasizes that this experience has not only enhanced his professional skills but also contributed to personal growth. “I believe everything happens for a purpose. The lessons that come with it have helped shape who I am today. Being here has moulded me personally,” he remarked.
Even before his imprisonment, Baleikivuya possessed some joinery skills, but he credits the training and experience gained through the program as instrumental in honing his craft. Looking to the future, he aspires to return to Bua after his release and launch his own joinery business. Moreover, he is committed to sharing his story with young people, encouraging them to make wiser choices and steer clear of trouble.
Baleikivuya’s journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of rehabilitation and personal determination. His hopes for a better future and advice to the youth underline the potential for positive change and growth, even in the most challenging circumstances.