Youths with a purpose
TWENTY-FIVE young people from Nadi formed a youth club with the aim to help their community and encourage young people to grow into responsible citizens. This report was published in The Fiji
Times on January 15, 1976.
The Leo Youth Club of Nadi was sponsored by the Nadi Lions Club and established in November, 1975.
One of its first community service projects was a bus shelter for the people of Wailoaloa.
The club’s 18-year-old secretary, Satya Nand Swamy, said the club welcomed members between the ages of 15 and 25.
He said, through film screenings, they raised $230 which would be used to build the bus shelter.
“We will buy the material and build the shelter ourselves,” said Mr Swamy.
Increasing crime
According to him, there were no active youth clubs in Nadi until Leo came into being.
Mr Swamy said they had often heard of the increasing crime rate in Fiji, young people turning to crime, lack of employment and increasing criticism levelled at young people.
With the help of the Nadi Lions Club president Ved Shravah, he said they decided to get the young people together and show the community and the country at large that young people were useful citizens who understood what responsibility was. Their club name Leo stood as a symbol to them.
Mr Swamy said L stood for leadership. E for experience and O for opportunity to become useful and good citizens of Fiji. The club met twice a week.
Mr Swamy said since its establishment, the club had its bleak and bright moments.
For example, they hoped that since Women’s International Year was celebrated the previous year, a large number of girls would respond by joining the club.
However, the club had only three girl members.
“It is a pity to see few girls joining the club. But we hope they will show more interest this year and offer their valuable help,” said Mr Swamy.
The club was planning to raise more money so it could help the community, particularly students who could not pay their school fees.
Mr Swamy appealed to the young people of Nadi to join the club.
“Everyone can spare some of their time to help the society in which they are living.”
The club also welcomed suggestions, including written suggestions from people to better their club, said Mr Swamy.