Sawani lass Kelerayani Lesikinavosa, is one of the recent recipients of the iTaukei Trust Fund Board’s scholarships to pursue the Fijian Studies Post-Graduate programme at the University of South Pacific. The pleasantly spoken young lady has aspirations to further her academic aspirations in researching and teaching her native mother-tongue, the culture, norms and traditions.

The eldest of four children, the 24 year old spent her formative years in her village. Her parents are farmers and she is the first in her family to acquire a university degree. But her passion for learning anything Fijian, started from a young age. “I have a deep interest in Fijian Studies, that’s why I chose this field of study”, she says

Growing up on farm on the outskirts of Sawani, in the Naitasiri province, Kelerayani attended primary school in Sawani eventually attending secondary school at Adi Cakobau.

“All throughout primary and secondary school life, I excelled in the Fijian vernacular. I always scored high marks in it. I just had a natural knack for it, I didn’t have to really study for it. I think my interest in the subject helped propelled my achievements in the subject. And then when I reached university, I was happy to actually further my studies in the area”, she said.

Like many Fijian children growing up hearing stories of Fijian myths and legends, about the early Fijian settlers, the ancient deity and gods was a norm. She loved hearing these anecdotes being shared by family elder.

Today, in receiving this scholarship to further her Fijian Studies programme, she wants to extend her ambitions in furthering academic research into the Fijian language, the culture and traditions.

“My hope is to broaden this area to attract more of my peers to pursue this area of study. Because we have a rich heritage and we should embrace it with enlightenment and pride”, she said.