Villagers from Kabara Island in the Lau group dedicated the past three months to prepare for last week’s Methodist Church Conference in Suva. Despite facing limited income opportunities, over 40 villagers embarked on a journey lasting several days to participate in this annual national event.
The villagers plan to spend an additional two weeks in the capital to visit relatives and friends, taking advantage of this opportunity as transportation to the Lau group can be challenging. The trip was supported by local chiefs, who contributed $5,000 for travel expenses, enabling the villagers to bring various seafood to sell at the conference.
Chief Tui Lomati Mosese Kotobalavu noted that this trip is a significant annual tradition for the Kabara community. He stated, “About 40 church members came on this trip, and we spent the last three months preparing seafood to sell at the conference, which was successful and provided us with good income.”
He emphasized the importance of this gathering, as it allows the community to connect with the church and gain insights from spiritual leaders. Upon returning home, they plan to share their experiences and the messages received during the conference with their families.