For the past four years, 28-year-old Lorenzo Fonmoa has been fulfilling the role of a music and brass band teacher at the Valelevu Youth Training Centre.
From Savlei in Rotuma, Mr Fonmoa said teaching the youths of the centre was fun.
He was also a proud teacher as he watched his charges collect their certificates and awards from Youth and Sports Minister Jese Saukuru during the graduation ceremony at the FNU Gym in Valelevu, Nasinu.
“I had fun to be honest, everyone in Batch 23 was really well disciplined,” Mr Fonmoa said.
“They were very determined to succeed and that is something that made it more fun for me.”
Fifty-two youths of the 82 who enrolled this year performed in front of families and loved ones before accepting their Level 4 certificates in music performance.
Mr Fonmoa said most of his trainees were high school dropouts, who were also the reason five training centres were built.
“Everyone is different in a way,” he said.
“Some of them would be in high school and not interested in studying, and they fail. So, where do the youths go.”
Mr Fonmoa said of the five training centres, one of them is the centre in Valelevu where the focus is on music.
The other centres focus on agriculture, carpentry and welding.
“We don’t want them to be out there on the streets doing drugs and other illegal activities, so the Government started this initiative with training centres funded by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“So, with these dropouts, if they are interested in music, we bring them, we enrol them and we teach and train them, especially on their specific talents.”
Mr Fonmoa agrees that youths should seek a career they’re happy with.
“Choose a career which you look forward to waking up to every day.
“If you’re going to choose a career where you’re just going to end up bored and stressed, you’re not going to have fun.
“Follow your heart and if you think your talent can make a career for you, go for it.”
