Fiji Sun

I WANT TO DEDICATE MY LIFE SERVING PEOPLE.

- Paulini Talatoka

I work every day and I thank God for the encouragem­ent.

Paulini Talatoka was honoured on Friday night after she received the Highest Voluntary Service and Commission­er’s Award at the St John Ambulance awards night.

Speaking to the Fiji Sun after receiving the award at Suva’s Studio 6 Apartments, Ms Talatoka said the award gave her the impetus to continue her voluntary service.

“I started as a volunteer last year. I want to dedicate my life serving people,” she said.

“I work every day and I thank God for the encouragem­ent.”

Ms Talatoka said the staff at St John Ambulance gave her the support she needed and she was working towards becoming a nurse in the future.

She lives at Wakanisila settlement, Nasinu, with her family. 31-year-old Inoke Rasumusumu won the 1st Respondent of the Year award.

“Being with St John’s Ambulance has been a great pleasure and an honour. I have been working there as a volunteer since 2014,” he said. Mr Rasumusumu said that he was not expecting to win the award. “I want to thank the associatio­n for giving me a chance to be a volunteer,” he said. “We learn a lot in this job. Not only about different types of illness and medicine, but we learn about different types of people and how we interact with each other.”

He thanked God and his family for the award and opportunit­y.

“I will continue serving the people of Fiji. I thank my family for the never-ending support,” said Mr Rasumusumu.

Officiatin­g at the event, Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabet­e said the event was an opportunit­y to “look back and be thankful for the dedication and sacrifice of the officers of the St John Brigade in the past 80 years of enhancing the health and wellbeing of all Fijians”.

We learn a lot in this job. Not only about different types of illness and medicine, but we learn about different types of people and how we interact with each other. Inoke Rasumusumu 1st Respondent of the Year awardee at the St John Ambulance awards night.

 ??  ?? Inoke Rasumusumu after receiving the 1st Respondent of the Year award at the St John Ambulance awards night on February 8, 2019.
Inoke Rasumusumu after receiving the 1st Respondent of the Year award at the St John Ambulance awards night on February 8, 2019.
 ??  ?? Paulini Talatoka after receiving the Highest Voluntary Service and Commisione­r’s Award at the St John Ambulance awards night on February 8, 2019.
Paulini Talatoka after receiving the Highest Voluntary Service and Commisione­r’s Award at the St John Ambulance awards night on February 8, 2019.

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