At 35, Salesi Balekivuya has spent nearly half his life behind the walls of the Naboro Prison Facility.
Yet as his sentence nears its end, he speaks not only of regret, but of transformation.
Balekivuya was just 19 years old when he was convicted of murder in 2010. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2011.
At an age when many young people begin building their futures, he instead faced the harsh reality of life within prison walls.
Originally from Kubulau in Bua, Balekivuya spent much of his youth growing up in several rough neighbourhoods, including Raiwaqa, Raiwai and Jittu Estate.
Influenced by his peers he followed a path that eventually led him to a life of crime.
“Back then, we had our own plans for life,” Balekivuya reflected.
“But I’ve come to believe that God already has plans for us.”
While many people see prison as a place where wrongdoers face punishment, Balekivuya believes his time behind bars has also been a period of reflection and personal change.
“We just have to be mindful of the choices we make,” he said.
Prison life has also helped him rediscover a skill he once overlooked – woodworking.
Although he had studied woodwork before entering prison, it was only during his time at Naboro that he fell in love with the craft.
By collaborating with fellow inmates, he refined his skills in carving and joinery.
“I believe in life, whatever knowledge you have should be shared.”
With his release scheduled for August this year, Balekivuya is preparing for a new chapter. He hopes to return to his home village in Bua and start a small joinery business, using the skills he developed in prison to rebuild his life and help others.
For Balekivuya, the years behind bars have become more than a sentence. They have given him a turning point.
