TWELVE-year-old Rakiraki student Katarina Bubu was recognised for being an exceptionally young brave Fijian at Nailuva District School yesterday.
In 2016, despite being severely injured in the midst of Tropical Cyclone Winston, Katarina showed immense strength and courage to seek help to rescue her injured family members.
Minister for Education Rosy Akbar said this was a celebration “as we empower and raise the visibility of children, celebrate their achievements and promote national pride and good citizenship”.
“I am very humbled to be given the opportunity to meet Katarina, who is a role model to us and it is my prayer that each and every child be inspired by Katarina and her achievements,” Ms Akbar said.
“We are rewarding one child, but I believe there are many children out there who show bravery, courage and honesty in their own way, in their daily lives that also deserve recognition.”
The award was organised by the Fiji Children’s Award, which is celebrated every two years to honour children for their selflessness, bravery and community service on one’s initiative.
Vision Fiji chairperson Gazala Akbar said they look for stories of unsung heroes among children whose extraordinary service to their families or communities would otherwise go unrecognized.
The Fiji Children’s Awards is bestowed upon young people between the age of 6 and 17 in Fiji who show exemplary achievement in one or more of these categories:
(a) Improving the lives of others, especially the more vulnerable in society
(b) Enhancing the school or community in which he/she lives
(c) Showing exemplary progress in personal development, especially where this has meant overcoming adverse personal circumstances.
