Leone Niumataiwalu’s path from life on the streets to a hopeful future in tour guiding embodies the power of second chances. A Sabeto villager, Niumataiwalu was enrolled in a Tour Guiding Fundamentals course sponsored by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, a program that also supported his further studies at the Fiji National University’s School of Tourism & Hospitality in Namaka, Nadi.
“I have always dreamt that one day I will work for a tour company, and it came to this day that I was enrolled for this course,” he shared, underscoring how the opportunity aligned with his lifelong ambition to showcase his homeland.
Niumataiwalu noted the practical value of the Sabeto experience for local tours, pointing to attractions such as the mud pool, garden tours, horse riding, and village experiences. He was among 44 street youths who completed the Tour Guiding Fundamentals course last month, a milestone he described as the opening of new employment doors supported by the certificate he earned.
Reflections on the journey reveal a personal transformation. Before joining the upskill training, Niumataiwalu spent years roaming the streets of Nadi Town and even faced police arrests. He described the four training phases—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—conducted with support from a Lautoka youth camp designed to strengthen not only skills but character and community life. He emphasized that the program is free and open to those in villages and communities who are ready to change their lives.
“I was roaming around Nadi Town for more than 10 years, involving myself in things that were bad for me,” he said. “This course will shape my future, and I hope it will lead to work opportunities because we now have certificates.” He encouraged others in remote areas to take part in the Ministry of Youth and Sports training programs, highlighting that participation does not require payment and can set a person on a constructive path.
Summary:
Leone Niumataiwalu’s story illustrates how targeted youth training—paired with community and government support—can turn hardship into opportunity, equipping individuals with marketable skills and the confidence to contribute to their communities.
Additional comments and value:
– This case fits a broader pattern of Government-led empowerment programs that have helped many street youths transition into employment, entrepreneurship, or further education.
– The focus on practical, locally relevant skills (tour guiding, barbering, baking, etc.) helps align training with real job opportunities in Sabeto, Nadi, and surrounding areas.
– Positive downstream impacts may include stronger community tourism offerings in Sabeto and increased prospects for local youths to become self-reliant, informed residents who contribute back to their villages.
– For ongoing coverage, it would be valuable to track employment placements and long-term outcomes of graduates to assess how many transition to full-time roles or start their own ventures, and to highlight any mentorship programs that support graduates like Niumataiwalu after certification.
Overall, the program’s emphasis on second chances and practical skills contributes to a hopeful narrative about youth empowerment in Fiji, suggesting a constructive path forward for communities facing similar challenges.
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