Award Winners Go Camping, Get Encouragement From Minister

Thirty-three students, who are among the Duke of Edinburg silver level award winners of Bulileka Sanatan College, are camping at a hill outside Labasa Town.

The camp, which is for three days and two nights, before they proceed to the bronze level.

The students who left their school yesterday in a 10 – tonne truck for Matanisavana hills were farewelled by the Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou who urged them to press on with their work. Mr Tuitubou also called on the other students to join this worthwhile programme.

“(The) Majority of you might be double minded, but from my experience and what I have learnt from my Edinburgh school days, I see that it really helps me in whatever I do because it motivates and drives me when everything else collapses,” he said.

A former Duke of Edinburgh award winner himself, Mr Tuitubou said it greatly contributed to the characteristics of a person.

“It helps in building in leadership, management and discipline at an early age,” he said.

“Motivation there is the key word and it drives you when you have to face the things you have to during expeditions, community work and so on.

“These situations often challenge you, but you have to be motivated to overcome these obstacles.” Mr Tuitubou said a mission and vision would push one to be motivated and work towards their goals.

“If you have this, you would be different and you would achieve your goals regardless of what you go through,” he said.

These students are also organising a free health clinic for members of the community. Health officials would also be involved.