The rising HIV and mental health cases affecting youths around the country needs urgent attention, says Temalesi Tuiwalese, a FMF Hibiscus Festival contestant.
And the 20-year-old who hails from Vatukuca, Vaturova, in Cakaudrove, Vanua Levu, believes the festival provides a great opportunity to promote messages on the issue.
“Apart from wanting to meet new people and build new networks with friends through this carnival, I joined because I want to be the voice of the youths ensuring they are heard,” the Unique Rubber Stamp sponsored queen said.
“The issues we face today is not easy. Most issues involve youths like the increasing cases of HIV, mental health, unemployment and many others.
“So I believe that it’s time we make known these issues because everyone needs to be involved to help our young people.”
The Fiji National University student is pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine.
She admitted that her favourite activity in a typical day is to get a good shut-eye whenever she could.
“I won’t lie. I love sleeping, hiking and going out fishing which I do during the holidays when I go back to the village.
“Having spent most of my childhood days in the rural areas from Cakaudrove, to Navua, then Naitasiri, gave me a good understanding of what life is like in our villages.
“So I got to appreciate where I grew up and what I have now.
“I want to use this platform to tell every young women out there that no matter where we come from, you can always succeed in life.”
Ms Temalesi’s dad is a school teacher who taught in various schools around the country, thus her attendance of different schools. She is the third child of four siblings and shares maternal link to Vunikura Village, also in Cakaudrove.
