Villagers from Kabara Island in the Lau group dedicated the past three months to prepare for their journey to the Methodist Church Conference in Suva. Despite facing limited income opportunities, over 40 community members made the trip, traveling for several days to reach the capital city.
These villagers plan to spend an additional two weeks in Suva visiting friends and family, making the most of this opportunity due to the transportation challenges they face returning to the Lau group. Their group was led by chiefs, who collectively contributed $5,000 towards travel expenses and facilitated the sale of various seafood items at the conference.
Chief Tui Lomati Mosese Kotobalavu emphasized the annual significance of this trip for the people of Kabara. He noted, “Around 40 church members participated, and we have spent the last three months preparing seafood to sell at the conference, which proved financially rewarding. This event is crucial for us as it allows us to attend the church gathering and engage with the teachings of God. We will return home to share our experiences and insights gained from our church leaders.”