2 weeks Ago By Fiji Sun News
The Ministry of Youth and Sports has provided jobs and business opportunities for Jone Berativugona and 19 young people who are living on the streets of Nadi. Mr Berativugona, 31, is among the street dwellers in the Western Division, who attended a business training programme conducted by the ministry. He is from Moala, Lau.
He had completed Year 13 studies before joining the Fiji National University (FNU) but financial difficulties at home pushed him into the streets. He was later jailed for a conviction and has been living on the streets of Nadi Town. iTaukei Street Dwellers He is concerned with the number of young iTaukei people who had become street dwellers.
“Most of these kids come from broken families and families who are struggling,” he said. Mr Berativugona said when Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, reached out to them and provided training opportunities, it gave them hope for their future. “They (ministry officials) are like our fathers and mothers.
They love and accept us, for who we are. We wasted our lives being involved in wrongdoings and ending up in prisons,” Mr Saukuru said. “Sometimes we feel that prison and streets were home to us.
But since Government is reaching out to us, it has given us opportunities to change for the better.” The training programme allows street dwellers to set up businesses after they graduate. “There will be some short courses in hairdressing, pastry chef, cooking and culinary, tour guides and few others.
After we graduate, those of us who underwent hairdressing course will open our barber shops and others could start eateries and canteen businesses.” With the help of the ministry and other agencies, Mr Berativugona, along with other street kids, has opened their business called ‘Yadra.’ Mentoring street dwellers Mr Berativugona wants to help young people prosper, especially those living on the streets.
“I have experienced what life is like in prison and on the streets. Now, I want to make a difference in the lives of these young street kids because no one will give us a good future,” he said. “Most of us who are involved in criminal activities, we imitate what we watch in movies such as robberies and burglary.
“I want to tell the kids ‘please enough of that. Get away from illegal activities and engage in training such as this. “This kind of training boosts our talents and skills and introduces us into establishing our businesses.
“I believe that after this training it definitely will change the image of how we are viewed as people who live on the streets.” Illicit drugs Mr Berativugona said illicit drug users degraded Nadi. “I always tell these boys that using drugs destroys the image of where you come from, your vanua, village, and the place where you live now, Nadi.
“We, from other provinces, we degrade Nadi if we continue to be involved in drugs. “I want to say to these youths who are coming from outer islands or other villages, if you have nothing to do in towns and cities, no job or no business, please go back to the village and farm and make money for yourself,” he said. Feedback: mereleki.
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