Thank You Mr Bainimarama For Thinking Of Us: Kiribati Student

Rising sea levels has affected our homes and crops, Kiribati student adds.

University of the South Pacific student Kuarawete Kouoro knows exactly what climate change means. At home in Kiribati, his family and relatives are battling the impact of climate change daily. The rising sea level has driven them away from their coastal homes on ancestral land and forced them to move inland.

He was among a Kiribati group at the launch of the National Climate Change Week at Albert Park in Suva yesterday.

He was grateful to Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for announcing to the world that Fiji would welcome the Kiribati people to Fiji should climate change sink the islands of Kiribati.

“A few months ago I heard in the news that the Fijian PM raised his concerns for us Kiribati people and Tuvalu as we are affected by climate change and we are very happy that the Fijian people are showing their concern for us,” said Mr Kouoro, a Bachelor of Education student. “We know that our neighbours care. We are all victims of climate change and for Mr Bainimarama to welcome us, is very meaningful for us. Who knows what God has planned for us?”

He said their participation in the event signified their acknowledgement to the Fijian people for being a supportive country.

“Our participation is an opportunity for the community to highlight and showcase their talents as part of our appreciation to the Fijian Government for their support to around 100,000 Kiribati who are affected by climate change in their homeland,” Mr Kouoro said. Mr Kouoro is also a school teacher in the outer islands of Kiribati.

He said the rising sea level has affected their homes and crops.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Kuarawete Kouoro (second from left), with Kiribati students of John Wesley Primary School Jason Philip (left), Kammwea Totaieta and Tebau Taerea during the National Climate Change Week launch at Suva’s Albert Park on September 22, 2017.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Tongan students from John Wesley College (from left) Siale Fakaosiula, Ana Fakaosiula and Lolohea Fakaosiula during National Climate Change Week launch at Suva’s Albert Park on September 22, 2017.

Photo: Ronald Kumar Some of the many primary school students who took part in the National Climate Change Week launch in Suva on September 22, 2017.