Tailevu Youth Day raises over 32,000 in first-ever three-day event aimed at reviving youth engagement and addressing social challenges
Tailevu youths have kicked off a new tradition with the first Tailevu Youth Day, staging a three-day event that raised more than 32,000 to tackle social issues, boost youth participation, and support community development across the province. The event ran from Thursday through Saturday, with the opening sessions focused on health, non-communicable diseases, and the growing number of incarcerated youths from Tailevu.
Jeremaia Merekula, president of the Tailevu Youth Council, credited the wide backing from traditional leaders, the Tailevu Provincial Council, and youths both in Fiji and overseas for the successful fundraising. “The main aim was to revitalize the youths of the 22 districts. Not all districts joined this time, but we plan to improve in the coming years. The preparation was not easy, but we thank the support of the Provincial Council and all who contributed,” he said.
The council highlighted concrete plans for the funds, including paying a long-serving youth coordinator who has volunteered for over a decade. Looking ahead, organizers have outlined leadership training, awareness programs for youth leaders, and a 5–10 year plan to establish a Tailevu Youth Hub as an income-generating initiative. Merekula emphasized that this is just the beginning, with a continued focus on empowering young people to actively address community challenges.
Senior Assistant Roko Tui Talevu, Apenisa Seniloli, praised the effort as a giant achievement for Tailevu’s first Youth Day. He noted that the event’s initial target was to raise 25,000, but the contributions surpassed that goal, signaling strong community momentum for youth-led development.
The Tailevu Provincial Council has a track record of engaging youths through development training and workshops across villages such as Nailega, Nayavu, Nasautoka, and Naloto, providing resources, mentorship, and support to empower youth leadership and participation in local development. The new Youth Day aligns with ongoing council initiatives to harness youth energy for environmental conservation, cultural revitalization, and improvements in health and education, while reinforcing connections between young people and their communities.
Editor’s note and context
– The fundraising achievement shows growing confidence in youth-led initiatives in Tailevu, complemented by the province’s existing programs that foster leadership, mentorship, and community projects.
– If funded projects proceed as planned, the Tailevu Youth Hub could become a focal point for sustainable income-generating activities, training, and youth employment within the province.
– The event’s emphasis on health, addressing non-communicable diseases, and youth justice issues reflects broader priorities seen in similar provincial programs that have connected youth development with social outcomes.
Summary
Tailevu’s inaugural Youth Day demonstrates strong community support for youth-led development, with funds directed toward sustaining volunteers, leadership training, and a long-term vision for a Tailevu Youth Hub. The initiative builds on existing provincial efforts to empower young people and engage them constructively in shaping their communities.
Positive outlook
With broad buy-in from traditional leaders, the Provincial Council, and a dispersed base of youth, Tailevu’s youth-focused plans have the potential to create lasting impact in governance, education, health, and local livelihoods. The emphasis on leadership development and youth hubs offers a hopeful path for continued engagement and community resilience.
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