Koro benefits from training, receives tools

Suva, May 17 – A total of 80 houses have been built in the villages of Navaga and Mudu by youth carpenters on Koro Island.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in partnership with Technical College of Fiji, conducted a Basic Carpentry Training on Koro Island in October and November last year as there was a shortage of carpenters to help the rehabilitation work.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Laisenia Tutitubou, was in Koro early this week to hand over tools purchased from a grant from His Excellency, the Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Ping, to assist more youths in building more houses on the island more quickly.

“There was a need for carpenters and the Ministry took up the challenge to train 98 carpenters, including 7 women,” said Hon. Tuitubou. “Koro is still re-building after the devastation of TC Winston and the youths have done tremendous work on the island.”

“This assistance is to supplement what they have, their efforts, and the Help for Home Initiative provided by Government,” said Hon. Tuitubou.

“These basic sets of tools complement the skills they have acquired from the training last year and to help enhance further their rehabilitation efforts.”

Hon. Tuitubou handed over 14 sets of basic carpentry tools to 14 youth clubs on Koro Island.

Mudu village elder, Mr Tevita Vunileba said; “These young carpenters have built 40 houses in Mudu and 40 houses in Navaga. We are so grateful for this assistance and to the Youth and Sports Ministry and the Chinese Ambassador for empowering our youths,” said Mr Vunileba. “Certainly we will witness more houses built and a faster rate of completion around the island after this handover.”

Mr Vunileba also highlighted to Minister Tuitubou that “two youths from Koro have gained full-time employment at a resort in Yasawa after the training.”

“The more you practise those skills you have learned and build more houses, the more experience you will gain,” Hon. Tuitubou told the youths in Koro. “With those certificates from Technical College of Fiji, you also have a chance to further your studies in carpentry or building,”

The Ministry of Youth and Sports in partnership with Technical College of Fiji and the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation have conducted four carpentry training altogether in Koro and Ra provinces.