Mele Nabola’s journey exemplifies the notion that “every cloud has a silver lining.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, with lockdowns and restrictions in place, she discovered her passion for painting. This newfound creativity allowed her to express her thoughts on social issues, particularly climate change, while she continued her work as a public health worker.
At 26, Mele hails from Muaira village on Naviti Island in the Yasawa Group and has maternal ties to Yanuca in Serua province. As the eldest of four siblings, she completed her secondary education at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Suva before enrolling in the Bachelor of Public Health program at Fiji National University, graduating in 2021. She is currently employed in the research department at FNU’s College of Medicine and Nursing.
Mele explained her choice of public health by emphasizing her preference for fieldwork over office settings. She enjoys engaging with communities to promote health awareness and conduct surveys. A significant focus for her is reproductive health, where she advocates for family planning and contraceptive use, particularly among the youth to combat alarming rates of teenage pregnancies and rising cases of HIV and STIs.
Art has always been a part of Mele’s life, inspired by her father, a painter and military officer. During the lockdowns in 2019, she found her father’s old paints and began experimenting with her creativity. After sharing her artwork online, she received encouraging feedback that motivated her to refine her skills.
Mele’s artistic endeavors led her to join Selfless Fiji, a non-profit organization, in 2021, where she painted murals in care homes and orphanages. This collaboration allowed her to gain valuable experience and learn how art can be used as a tool for social change. Recently, she contributed to a mural at Greenhouse CoWorking in Suva as part of a sustainable development initiative.
The mural, themed “Noda Vanua Ni Mataka” or “Our land of tomorrow,” conveys the message that blending technology, tradition, and culture is essential for a sustainable future in Fiji and the region. The transition from painting on canvas to creating large-scale murals presented challenges for Mele, but she credits her mentor, artist Jack Eastgate, for helping her grow as an artist.
She expressed pride in her artistic journey, noting that painting has not only provided joy but has also served as a financial support system during the pandemic. The income from her artwork has allowed her to invest in her education and assist her family.
Mele advocates for a review of Fiji’s education curriculum to make arts and crafts compulsory, believing this would encourage youth to pursue their talents and entrepreneurship. She encourages young people to remember the importance of family expectations and community contribution in their decisions.
Mele’s inspirational message to the youth emphasizes that hard work and dedication are vital for overcoming obstacles and realizing their dreams.