These were the sentiments from the Minister of Youth and Sports Honourable Jese Saukuru while visiting Mr. Navneet Avishek Shivakaran a youth that specializes in tailoring in Dreketi today (07:07:07)
Minister Saukuru gives his assurance to Mr. Navneet that the Ministry of Youth and Sports will continue to support Youths and will continue to identify the needs of Youths around Fiji and provide necessary items and training that will meet their needs and help them daily
The 24-year old lad from Dreketi began his journey operating a tailoring business on his own from his residence in Malawai, Dreketi where much of his craftsmanship includes sewing of wedding attires, school uniforms, kids wear, women’s and men’s wear.
Navneet’s Tailoring began to take a turning point as it gained attention from the public, but he did not rest on his laurels until he first sought after the Youth Grant with the Ministry.
The Dreketi lad was handed over an industrial heavy duty sewing machine worth approximately $3,000 last October.
Like all of the Government’s initiatives and programmes, the assistance has a monitoring mechanism. Upon careful monitoring conducted by the Ministry, an increase was noted in the number of customer orders.
On a weekly average, he generates an income of $295- $465.00 and is able to tailor at least 3 x blouses, 3 x wedding lahenga’s, 3 x school uniforms, 5 x shirts and 5 x bula dresses per week.
The Minister for Youth and Sports Hon. Jese Saukuru, during his visit to the Northern Division earlier this month, said that appropriate guidance and training is vital for young people to make knowledgeable decisions, avoid crime and use their abilities and potential for a sustainable livelihood and success.
He said that the Government wants to unearth and develop the best in the youth, empowering them to become agents of change, development and sustainable livelihood in communities.