On Christmas Eve, Jese Saukuru, the Minister for Youth and Sports, took a significant step by visiting rural communities in Vanua Levu to distribute Income Generating Project (IGP) grants. His first stop was at the Nailou Village, where he engaged with the Nailou Youth Club, consisting of 25 members who were awarded a $5,000 grant to support their beekeeping initiative. The group received essential equipment, including double honey boxes, beekeeping tools, and protective gear.

In addition to the grant, Saukuru provided various sports equipment for volleyball, netball, rugby, and beach volleyball, emphasizing the ministry’s commitment to youth development and sports engagement within these communities. He noted that the visit was a reflection of the ministry’s dedication to empowering young people in even the most remote areas of Fiji, helping them cultivate sustainable livelihoods while promoting physical activities.

His journey to the village required a 30-minute boat trip due to the lack of road access, demonstrating the lengths taken to reach those in need. Saukuru also visited the Sawani Youth Club, providing them with a solar-powered freezer to aid in income generation alongside sports equipment to foster community engagement.

In Bua, the minister extended his support to young farmer Anasa Kaitoa, who was also a recipient of the IGP grant. This grant will supply Kaitoa with vital farming equipment, enabling him to enhance his agricultural production, which includes a variety of vegetables, watermelons, dalo, and yaqona. This visit underscores the ministry’s resolve to assist young Fijians in agriculture and rural development.

Through such initiatives, the ministry is not only uplifting individual lives but also working towards the broader goal of building resilient, self-sufficient communities across Fiji.

Overall, this encouraging endeavor illustrates a hopeful path for youth development in rural areas, proving that with the right support, young people can achieve significant advancements and foster sustainability in their communities.