Contestants Ratuva and Raidriwa ready to tackle challenges of competition
Bula Festival contestants Ateca Ratuva, 21, and Carol Raidriwa, 18, will be advocating on big issues in their communities as they vie for the Bula Festival crown in Nadi.
Ateca Ratuva takes on drugs and substance abuse topic Ms Ratuva, who is sponsored by Inex Glass and Aluminum Works, is currently advocating against Drugs and Substance Abuse. “Drugs and substance abuse is one of the alarming issues affecting youths in Fiji that needs to be addressed within the community,” she said.
Also speaking about her ambitions, the Gau lass from the province of Lomaiviti said: “I want to become a manager in one of Fiji’s top resorts because I was brought up around the hospitality industry all my life. I used to act as a tour guide for tourists who stop by my mum’s village at Sanasana, Nadroga and I loved it.”
As a Sanasana netball club rep, Ms Ratuva listed her hobbies as playing netball and singing. She is currently the lead singer in her church.
“I am normally a shy girl, but I’ve learned to overcome my fears, be confident, act modestly and use this platform to help the community at large,” she said.
“My advice to the youths or teenagers is to not look down on yourself and although you need to struggle to achieve your goals, push yourself to achieve.”
The eldest of six siblings is grateful to her mother who works at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola while her father owns a fishing business. Raidriwa advocates on reducing school dropouts Carol Raidriwa will be advocating on the problem of school dropouts within the country
“In the last two weeks I interviewed two school dropouts from my village and found reasons for their decision to leave school,” said the PSG Electrical sponsored lass. “The reasons mainly were financial problems, separation of their parents and a common one was their difficulty in learning the school curriculum.”
The 18-year-old said taking part in the Bula Festival was a dream come true.
“I used to be one of the audience watching the Bula contestants every year and I’ve always told myself that I will be a contestant one day,” she said.
“I’ve learnt a lot so far and my advice to the youths is in everything you do be authentic and be yourself. Stay focused on your goals and work hard towards them.
“I am happy that as part of Nadi Bula Festival’s Project Sixteen, there is a community centre for Nadi that caters for a library, computers and a place for tutorials where students in need can be taught to help them cope in school. “After my secondary school studies, I hope to pursue a career in law because I would like to help the people in my village with regard to their land ownership,” she said. The Bula Festival in Nadi will take place from July 27 to August 3.