TWENTY-FIVE young people from Nadi formed a youth club there with a view to helping their community and encouraging young people to grow into responsible citizens of Fiji.
According to an article published by 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.
It was working on its first community service project, 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 that 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,” Mr Swamy said.
He said 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 assistance 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 for 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, and Mr Swamy said since its establishment, the club had its bleak and bright moments.
For example, they had hoped that since 1975 was Women’s International Year, a large number of girls would respond by joining the club. However, the club has only three girl members.
“It is a pity to see so few girls joining the club, but we hope they will show more interest and offer their valuable help.”
The club planned to raise more money so that 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 welcomed suggestions, including written suggestions from people to better their club.
