One of 10 siblings raised by a struggling widow, Esala Lewamama is living proof of the age-old adage: Adversity builds character.
These days she is better known as Ranadi Kei Viti – an activist, a social media influencer, founder of the Fijians for Change Initiative, and someone whose name is synonymous with being at the forefront of transgender issues in Fiji.
Esala did not let the cruelty shown to her by others dull her passion for helping those whom society often shuns.
First Responder, Sheemal Kumar learned from an early age that you don’t necessarily have to have much to be able to lend a helping hand.
From humble beginnings, Sheemal put the onus on herself to be an inspiration to all those around her.
Now a shining light in her community, Sheemal is inspiring young people everywhere to be the change they wish to see in their community.
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Growing up on a sugar cane farm in rural Vanua Levu, 215km North of Fiji’s capital, Shalini Lata developed a strong sense of community from a very early age.
Even though her family moved to the mainland of Viti Levu over two decades ago, she has never forgotten where she came from.
This is Shalini’s story of how she found a way to assist those struggling to make ends meet, in settlements just like the one she was raised in.”
Mahatma Gandhi is often credited with saying ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’
While Joseph Work may not be fighting for the independence of his country, he took those words to heart!
Witnessing the drastic effects of the global pandemic in his community of Kulukulu on Fiji’s famed Coral Coast, Joseph decided to take the first step in “being the change” by joining First Responders as a volunteer.
This is the story of Joseph Work.
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The Cleaning Wizards is so much more than a catchy name for a business.
The group made up of mostly high school dropouts, unemployed youths, and reformed criminals was formed under the leadership of Peni Moi – a young man driven by the desire to disrupt how society views his peers.
To make changes in the future, you have to change people now, says Peni, who hails from Ravitaki in Kadavu.
Determined to eradicate unemployment in their community, Peni and The Cleaning Wizards are changing public opinion, one yard at a time.
This is the story of Peni Moi.
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As COVID-19 continues to ravage through Fiji, the tourism industry is arguably its worst-affected victim.
Leaving thousands of now unemployed in its wake, the pandemic has been especially tough on those from Western Viti Levu.
Not one to take it lying down, Wame Gavidi and a host of proud sons and daughters of the province of Nadroga have decided to use their social media influence to help their struggling countrymen in whatever way they can.
This is the story of the Hakwa Gang.
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If you’re looking for inspiration to get your backyard garden off the ground, then look no further. Neha Nitika Chand has been using her green thumb to change the pandemic narrative in her community. Offering advice to anyone looking to do the same, Neha says: “Start small and gradually build up.”
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Suzanne Turaganiwai has had a lifelong love for the ocean, ever since she first watched Disney’s The Little Mermaid as a girl. Neither time nor tide have changed that. Combining her passion for the arts with her background in Marine Science, she has turned to artivism in her free time to highlight the issue of marine plastic pollution in Suva, Fiji. And if, like us, you’re wondering what exactly artivism is, we’ll let Suzanne explain.
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