Knowing Ourselves to Serve Better: Reflections from the Kubulau Youth Coast Cave Training in Kiobo

Last week, I was fortunate to be part of a two-day youth training in Kiobo Village, hosted by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The training brought together young people from across Kubulau, and it wasn’t just about receiving information—it was about reconnecting with who we are, as individuals, as iTaukei, and as stewards of our vanua.

What we experienced over those two days cannot be summed up in just one word. It was eye-opening, grounding, challenging, and at times deeply emotional. Here’s what I took away:

Day One: Knowing Who We Are

The first session was led by a powerful facilitator who challenged us to look inward and ask ourselves: Who am I in my vanua? Not just in name, but in identity, in responsibility, and in connection to our ancestral roots.

We explored our:

It was a humbling moment, especially for many of us who had forgotten or never fully understood these elements of our identity. As the facilitator put it: “If we don’t know who we are, how can we know where we are going?”

I remembered my time working with NGOs and how we were always advised to introduce ourselves properly when entering a new community. Not just by name, but by our lineage and vanua—because it painted a picture of who we are and showed respect to the people we were engaging with.

Understanding Family Life & Social Realities

Still on day one, we dove into Family Life issues—a topic many shy away from, but one that’s deeply needed. We discussed how neglecting these small social issues—conflict, communication gaps, and silent suffering—can lead to bigger, lasting problems in our lives and in our homes.

Another highlight was the session on HIV & AIDS—not just from a medical standpoint, but socially and emotionally. We talked about how misinformation can destroy lives, and how awareness is a form of protection.

We also explored the five areas of self-development:

It was a confronting but necessary reminder that we are not just bodies walking through life—we are whole beings who must grow in all these areas, especially in the world we live in today.

The DEAR Program: A Second Chance for Many

We were also introduced to the DEAR Program (Drop Everything and Read)—a beautiful initiative created for early school dropouts (ages 18–32). The aim? To equip young people who have left formal education with life skills, literacy, and leadership capacity.

This program doesn’t just prepare youth for employment—it prepares them for purpose. I hope more youths across Kubulau will take advantage of this, and the support available through the District Officer’s office.

Day Two: Yaubula and the Ridge to Reef Connection

The second day of training was led by Mr. Asaeli Turner, the Provincial Conservation Officer (PCO) for Bua. The focus was on Coast Cave Training, a deep dive into the Yaubula—the natural environment that sustains us—and how it connects to everything we are as human beings.

We learned about the Ridge to Reef concept, the interconnection between the mountains, rivers, villages, reefs, and oceans. It was eye-opening to understand how one action upstream could affect lives down to the reef.

Mangrove Planting: A Small Act with a Big Impact

Both days included a hands-on mangrove planting activity, which allowed us to literally plant the seeds of conservation. A nursery has been set up in the village, with seedlings carefully packed and stored, ready for future shoreline planting.

This was not just symbolic—it was action. And it left me hopeful that if we, as youth, take ownership of this work now, we can protect our vanua for generations to come.

Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Identity, Embracing Responsibility

This training was more than just a gathering. It was a call to action. A reminder that we must:

I left Kiobo with a full heart and a sharper sense of purpose—not just for myself, but for my community, and for Kubulau.

Vinaka vakalevu to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the facilitators, and especially to the people of Kiobo for your hospitality and wisdom. The seeds planted during this training will continue to grow.

Let’s keep showing up for our vanua. Let’s keep remembering who we are. Let’s keep moving forward, together.