Fijian soldiers walk against drugs

A group of Fijian servicemen currently serving in the British Army is embarking on an ambitious 226-kilometer charity walk across Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. Their journey aims to raise critical awareness about substance abuse and to provide support for military veterans.

“

Looking at social media, looking at our young kids on the streets suffering from drug addiction, one day I was thinking, during my time serving in the British Army, I’ve done 18 years now, and I’m thinking I need to do something to give back to the country.

Sergeant Filipe Buatavatava, who has served 18 years in the British Army, conceived the idea, driven by a personal wish to contribute to his home country. Witnessing young people struggling with drug addiction on social media motivated him to act. "Looking at social media, looking at our young kids on the streets suffering from drug addiction, one day I was thinking, during my time serving in the British Army, I’ve done 18 years now, and I’m thinking I need to do something to give back to the country," Sergeant Buatavatava stated.

The planning for the charity walk, coordinated from the United Kingdom, was a months-long endeavor, involving overcoming time differences and ensuring timely responses from Fijian contacts. Sergeant Autiko Domonakibau highlighted the challenges, noting, "The plan, it took a while to get everything in place. We especially tried to email the right people because we’re in the UK, there’s a time difference in Fiji. Sometimes the response wasn’t there, but I’m thankful to certain people that really helped our team."

“

The plan, it took a while to get everything in place. We especially tried to email the right people because we’re in the UK, there’s a time difference in Fiji. Sometimes the response wasn’t there, but I’m thankful to certain people that really helped our team.

As the servicemen walked from Lautoka along the Coral Coast, making overnight stops, they were met with overwhelming support from local communities. "We are so surprised by what the communities along the coastal side were waiting there for us. They don’t even know us, we are strangers to these communities, but that’s the response they have. We are so glad and honoured to receive those kinds of appreciation from all the communities," said Sergeant Domonakibau.

“

We are so surprised by what the communities along the coastal side were waiting there for us. They don’t even know us, we are strangers to these communities, but that’s the response they have. We are so glad and honoured to receive those kinds of appreciation from all the communities.

Beyond raising awareness on substance abuse, the walk also serves as a fundraiser for the Royal British Legion. This organization offers essential support, including welfare and financial assistance, to serving personnel, veterans, and their families in the UK and Fiji. The servicemen hope their efforts will inspire young people to make positive life choices and honor the sacrifices made by military veterans. The walk was scheduled to conclude on the day of the report in Verata, Tailevu.

“

They support welfare, they support financial, they support basically every aspect of the families. Our team is happy to do this on behalf of the Royal British Legion, to support the veterans in the UK and the veterans in Fiji.