𝐁𝐮𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫

“Bua is a hard place to get to, you will have to cross streams, across adverse terrain, in some places travel by boat, but the show of numbers today is a statement that we are united in our support of second chances.”

These were the words of the Paramount Chief, the Tui Bua, Ratu Makutu Nagavoka as he addressed the 3,000 men, women and children who turned up for the Yellow Ribbon Walk this morning at Nabouwalu.

Speaking in his native itaukei dialect, he commended the Fiji Corrections Service for choosing Bua for this awareness program.

“I commend the Fiji Corrections Service for taking rehabilitation awareness directly to our doorsteps across the 54 villages in the province, highlighting the critical role of the vanua and family support systems in helping former inmates reintegrate successfully back into society when released.

“Alot of times we are ignorant of the plight of ex-offenders without realising that this ignorance often pushes them back into thr criminal cycle thus creating unsafe communities.”

“This week we have been challenged and reminded of the critical role that families and the Vanua plays, that is ours to take on and not outsiders.

“Today, we have witnessed a very positive reciprocation of the efforts of the Corrections service, in the rehabilitation of our own when released from prison. This is work they cannot do alone but falls on us to carry on until they are successfully reintergrated back into their communities.

Ratu Makutu thanked all families who left their homes very early in the morning to participate. He also paid tribute to the stakeholders who have supported the FCS in this program.

He also acknowledged the presence of other government agencies, and the Minister of Justice Hon Siromi Turaga and his staff.

Hon Turaga acknowledged the overwhelming support from the vanua.

“You have clearly demonstrated and put into practice the key messages shared throughout the week by the FCS at your various doorsteps— now is the time for action. The numbers shown today have been overwhelming in consideration of the miles travelled to get here early in the morning.”