FACES OF CHAMPS
Six-year- old, Nes Natania Damudamu, only wanted her cousin and classmates to understand more about the simple handwashing steps that our leaders and health officials continuously promote.
So in sign language and a camera in front of her, the Gospel School for the Deaf student demonstrated the importance of the hygienic practice on video.
That video soon became viral earning little Nes the youngest winner of the 2020 Virtual Constitution Day Competition organised by the Office of the President. The Year One student of Gospel School
for the Deaf in Samabula is the only one in her class with the ability to speak.
She joined the school because of her cousin, Gloria Jckelin Soqosoqotabua, who is deaf and mute. The two are inseparable.
Nes is one of the five students to win the award which was announced on Constitution Day by President Major-General (Ret’d) Joji Konrote.
Nes’ mother, Emeline Naikalivou said COVID-19 did not discriminate and it did not matter whether a person was blind, deaf or mute.
“For me personally, as a parent, I thought that we could focus on COVID-19 and how we could promote inclusivity so that no Fijian is left out whether they are ablebodied or disabled in any way,” Ms Naikalivou said.
RAiJELI SAKARIA
Another winner, Year Eight student of Bhawani Dayal Memorial Primary School, Rajeli Sakaria, said the winning video was class effort.
“The video was on how all Fijians could work together to uphold every Fijians’ rights during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This right is enshrined in the 2013 Constitution.”
OSWELL MORELL
For Rishikul Sanatan College student Oswell Morell, he submitted the winning essay focusing on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and challenges they faced during the pandemic.
The Year 10 student said everyone needed to be reminded that equal access to health was crucial and no one should be discriminated against by his race, sexual preference or skin colour.
He thanked his parents and teachers for their help while penning his thoughts.
LABASA COLLEGE
Up North, Labasa College also won the competition.
Ten of its Year 11 students did a role play on how promoting together can help one person become more informed about the importance of keeping Fiji COVID-19 contained.
English teacher Jyotika Reddy said: “Through the video, we were about to explain how important it is for any student to be safe wherever they are whether in school premises or at home and what he or she needs to do.”
AMINI AND JONE
In the Sunshine Coast in Rakiraki, two first cousins made an impact for their school, Rakiraki Methodist School, after their video was also announced as one of the winning ones.
Teacher, Iswina Lata, said Amini Dalituicama and Jone Raibevu, are the kind of exemplary students that many teachers dream of always teaching.
“Amini is the headboy of the school while Jone is a senior prefect and they are responsible and make my task easy.
“You will always see their names in competitions. They are very competitive and at the same time get involved in everything possible.
“It was only four minutes left to deadline for submissions and we were still uploading the videos online.” She said the students wrote their own pieces with her guidance.
Amini, 13, and Jone,12, said they were thankful to their parents for their endless support.
Amini’s mother said this was one of the proudest moments for her.
Ms Waqa who will soon be deployed to the Golan Heights said this is the best gift anyone could ask for.
“To see your children so young and are achieving great things, I’m happier because they have finally put TikTok to good use,” she laughed.
The pair hope to attend Queen Victoria School next year.