Borrowing sporting equipment from bigger institutions will be a thing of the past for Dreketi Primary School students after the Australian High Commissioner Peter Roberts and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Prasad donated sporting equipment during their visit to Vanua Levu.
Dreketi Primary School teacher Yogendra Sami says more than 210 students will benefit from the sports equipment they have received, and it also allows for more effective training for students interested in netball, football, volleyball, and athletics.
He says they used to borrow sports equipment from bigger teams, such as the Dreketi Football Association.
He adds they also rely on donations to buy equipment because their sporting gear was destroyed during Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
Meanwhile, Professor Prasad and the Australian High Commissioner visited the completed projects under Australia’s $56.98 million Cyclone Recovery Program which has rebuilt nine schools on Vanua Levu and is helping to improve health and infrastructure.
The Finance Minister visited the newly upgraded Savusavu Market, part of the Markets for Change project led by UN Women and funded by the Australian Government, which supports hundreds of women vendors and builds on earlier investments by the government. Professor Prasad also visited the Mabé Pearl and Handicraft Project in Savusavu.
This five-year programme (2022–2027) is a partnership between the Ministry of Fisheries, Australia’s ACIAR, and local women’s groups.
It aims to support small businesses, improve management, and boost sustainable livelihoods in Fiji and Tonga’s pearl industry.
The Deputy Prime Minister says these projects support the government’s goals, such as improving rural healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
He also confirmed plans to build a mortuary at Dreketi Health Centre and to increase funding for road and farm access projects in the next budget.
Professor Prasad says the government has reformed the scholarship system, increased social welfare payments, provided back-to-school support, and raised the minimum wage to help with the cost of living, especially in rural areas.
The Deputy Prime Minister says these upgrades are more than just buildings – they give teachers respect and provide better places for children to learn.
He says he grew up in Dreketi, and it’s always special to return home and see real progress.
He adds that these projects are helping people now and building a better future.
Professor Prasad thanked the Australian Government and High Commission team for their strong partnership with Fiji and their support for inclusive development.
