Colo-i-Suva Youths Eager to Meet Prince Harry
The youths of Colo-i-Suva Village along Princes Road are looking forward to meeting the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry during the royal visit from October 23 to 25.
Speaking to the Fiji Sun yesterday, Colo-i-Suva Village youth president Jasiliva Rokobote said 10 youths had been chosen to engage in a talanoa session with Prince Harry during his tour.
She said though the Ministry of Forestry was yet to confirm the final programme, the youths were all looking forward to meeting the sixth in line to the British throne.
“This is history for us and we are all looking forward to it,” Ms Rokobote said.
The names of the 10 Colo-i-Suva youths nominated to meet the royal are Ms Rokobote, Nanise Vulaono, Jope Rakautoga, Ratu Jerry Ligairi, Raijieli Nakato, Mary Faith, Roko Niumataiwalu Waqabaca, Savenaca Osonava, Ilisavani Nadakuca and Sailina Likuvono.
As part of his royal tour in Fiji, Prince Harry will visit the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park where he will unveil a plaque marking Fiji's dedication to The Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.
Colo-i-Suva is an indigenous forest site housing many flora and fauna native to Fiji and species including the Fiji Tree Frog.
Prince Harry will also plant an endangered native tree and meet with school children, student conservators, representatives from sustainable tourism industries, local landowners and villagers to see how the rainforest impacts their education and livelihoods.
Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle will attend morning tea at the British High Commissioner's residence to meet representatives of women's organisations which operate throughout Fiji.
In particular, she will hear more about a United Nation Women's project called 'Markets for Change' which promotes women's empowerment in marketplaces throughout the Pacific.
The Duchess will also travel to the Suva Municipal Market where she will meet with some female vendors who have been empowered through the project.
UN Women communications and media specialist Sarika Chand said the Duchess of Sussex would meet with representatives from the Suva Market Vendors' Association who will usher her through the market giving vendors who are involved in the project an opportunity to speak with her.
Ms Chand said the project works with 19 Market Vendors' Associations across the Pacific, representing 7500 registered members, 84 per cent of whom are women.
“In Fiji the project works in 12 markets which include Suva, Nausori, Rakiraki, Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, Namaka, Nadi, Sigatoka, Savusavu, Labasa and Levuka,” Ms Chand said.
“The project has supported improvement to market infrastructure in nine markets, ranging from building of accommodation centres, sanitation facilities, market extensions and vendor tables to the entire rebuilding of the Rakiraki market.”
She said in addition to this a total of 1141 women market vendors have received training in financial literacy, business management and customer services.