200 students from the Ratu Kadavulevu School in Tailevu, Fiji expressed gratitude for 18 new computers and two printers donated to their school by going out into their community to pick up rubbish.
The computers and printers were donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church leader, Elder Taniela Wakolo, said the clean-up of communities near the school was suggested so the students would be able to “give back” after receiving the new equipment.
“We see these young people as our nation’s future leaders, so we want to encourage them and help them to get all the education they can get, and also have a strong desire to help others,” Elder Wakolo said.
- Students, youth and YSA clean the community streets in Nausori, and Korovou
- Elder Taniela Wakolo, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy
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“These computers will help with their education, but we also encourage them to think outside of themselves and to roll up their sleeves in making their families and communities better and stronger.”
The lesson was not lost on 15 year-old student Isoa Qeleni. “Participating in community service has taught me the importance of keeping the environment clean and to live a clean life.”
The school students joined with youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in donating a combined 800 hours of community service as they cleaned the towns of Korovou and Nausori, starting at the communities’ health centres.
The principal of the school, Mr Beniamo Tawake, was visibly moved when receiving the computers on behalf of the school.
“I have felt sorry that our students never had the opportunity to learn from a computer,” he said. “The computers and printers will certainly make a difference in the students’ learning and in their lives.”
Carpentry teacher, Mr Jioji Talairatu, said this was the first time the students had participated in this kind of activity. “This was a great opportunity for the students to clean up their community and to work with youth of the Church.”
In a hand-over ceremony with staff and students, Elder Wakolo paraphrased Latter-day Saint scripture, “We believe that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God [Mosiah 2:17, The Book of Mormon].”