A group of teen basketball players used the Muanikau Backyard Bazaar to raise funds for their basketball equipment by selling flavoured sodas.
Speaking to fijivillage News, 15-year-old Nathaniel Levaci says he and his friends Gideon, Zhou,and Paul decided to sell drinks, which are made by mixing soft drinks with different syrup flavours, to help cover basketball expenses such as jerseys, uniforms, shoes and other equipment.
The Church College Fiji student says the response from customers has been encouraging, adding that the group had sold many drinks and were close to raising enough money to cover their expenses.
He says the experience had also been enjoyable as it allowed him and his friends to spend time together while working towards a common goal.
Levaci's proud mother, Marjorie Whippy, says the idea came from the boys after learning they would be attending the market day and wanted to find something unique to sell.
Whippy says the drink was something the boys enjoyed themselves and had become popular overseas, making it an appealing option to introduce to the community.
She shares that seeing the young boys take the initiative to earn their own money made her proud and hoped the experience would teach them the importance of being self-reliant.
Whippy says she and other parents chose to support the idea, stressing that young people learn valuable lessons by trying new things and putting effort into their ideas.
She says the project also encourages creativity, with the boys experimenting with different flavour combinations before selling the drinks.
The fundraising effort was one of several community-driven initiatives showcased at the Muanikau Backyard Bazaar, where residents came together to sell homemade products, fresh produce, crafts and second-hand goods while supporting local causes.
