BSP and USP empower rural based Burevanua District School

Students of Burevanua District School in Ra will now have a great environment for learning after BSP Financial Group (Fiji) Pte Limited (BSP) delivered renewable energy, a water filtration pump, additional taps, computers and a new toilet suite for the school, in partnership with the University of the South Pacific.

BSP Financial Group (Fiji) Pte Limited (BSP) funded the project and provided sweat equity by staff who volunteered their time to work on-site.

The technical support was provided by USP Associate Professor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Utkal Mehta and USP volunteers.

While handing over the project BSP’s Area Manager West and North, Viliame Varasikete reaffirmed BSP’s commitment to community development, saying at BSP, they care about the communities they operate in.

He says helping children’s education aligns with their shared values of aspiring for excellence and growth.

Varasikete says they are proud that it will also benefit nearby communities, who may now host events here that will support their development.

USP’s Associate Professor Utkal Mehta, alongside USP volunteers, provided technical expertise in designing, installing and optimising a sustainable solar power solution, ensuring reliable energy access for the school.

He says the enhanced solar power system now powers the entire school and benefits the wider community.

The Associate Professor says this initiative is a testament to the impact of strong partnerships between academia and businesses.

He adds by integrating solar power into the school’s infrastructure, they are not only providing reliable electricity but also exposing students to renewable energy technology, fostering innovation and supporting global sustainability goals.

School Head Teacher, Maika Vauseu, expressed gratitude for the project’s impact, stating that this initiative is a game-changer for their students.

He says they do not have electricity at home which limits learning to daylight hours and with solar-powered lights in the school, the children, including the secondary school students living in the village, can use the classrooms to complete assignments, study and do research on the internet.

Vauseu says the solar system has excess capacity, which is also shared with the community, allowing them to charge their phones and hold village meetings at the school in the evenings.

He added a separate toilet block for Early Childhood Education, and Years 1 and 2 will enhance the safety and experience of their younger students.

He further adds that they are deeply thankful to BSP and USP for making this possible.

An elder of the community, Filipe Kianivale, shared some history before the school was built in 1957, bringing to life the struggles and sacrifices of past generations.

He recalled how, in those days, children had to walk for miles through thick forests, across rivers, over rough terrain and in all weather conditions to reach the nearest school.

Kianivale says yet, their parents continued to work on their vision of a school in the village because they believed that education was the key to a better future.

He says the elders came together with a shared dream — to build a primary school right here in their community so that no small child would have to endure such hardship just to learn, but it was not easy.

He adds there were no roads back then as they carted building materials through rough terrain and floated them on bamboo rafts to reach the village.

The elders say for decades, Burevanua District School has stood as a beacon of hope, providing education despite the many challenges, including the absence of electricity.

He says it has shaped leaders, professionals, and proud members of their community.

Kianivale says with this BSP community project completed, their children finally have access to the tools and resources they need to compete on the same level as students in urban areas.

The project reflects BSP and USP’s shared commitment to education, environmental sustainability and community empowerment. Through this collaborative effort, both organisations continue to drive positive change, ensuring a resilient and brighter future for Fiji’s rural communities.