Objectives: The project offers education for underprivileged youth who may be unemployed, homeless school dropouts or young men who have been through the court system. The aim of agricultural education is to enable students to be equipped with the expertise to set up their own poultry farm, fig farm or fish farm. Most studnets come from village backgrounds and their families hope that their new practical knowledge will assist to improve the lifestyle of the village community by establishing agri-business projects.
Beneficiaries: Underprivileged youth in Fiji, who are disadvantaged, have been abused, come from troubled family backgrounds, or have been referred to the Centre by the Courts, Child Welfare Department or Pastors. The farm is also open to other youths wishing to be taught agricultural skills along with life skills. The age range for students is between 18-25 years.
Description of activities: The Centre provides non-formal vocational education, in a small welcoming residential environment. The staff endeavour to train young men in trades and in the agricultural skills needed for employment. The key teaching strategy is a "hands on approach". The method of education is based on 80% practical and 20% theory/classroom. Subjects included in the curriculum are: woodwork, building, welding, metal work, plumbing, engine building, farm management and animal husbandry. To assist the students to become involved in income generating schemes, they are also taught basic accounting, punctuality and time management.
Building Skills: Students are also involved in tendering for outside projects, so they learn key skills in project cost management, on site supervision, people management and communication skills.
Animal Care Skills: Students are taught to care for a variety of animals. which ultimately provide income for the Farm and the students - they include pigs, ducks, chickens and cows, laying hens and fish cultivation.
Farming skills: The major activity is agriculture, especially the growing of root crops and vegetables, used to feed the students and teahers at the farm as well as an income generator.
Other crops inclede: ginger, spices and strawberries, all able to be grown when the students return to their communities. Produce from the farm is sold at the local markets, giving the students a sense of achievement and independence, along with the income.
Engine building/mechanics: Students learn the basics of mechanics, so that they can repair farm machinery and motot vehicles.
Progress to date: The Training Centre management is focussed on evaluating the influence the programs have in the long-term development of the young people they support and the feedback is extremely positive and encouraging. The objective is that the students, who primarily come from the streets of Suva, go back to their village communities on completion of the course and make a valued contribution. Many are now happily married, supporting the community through the skills that they have acquired and have become law abiding citizens.
The Training Centre operates from funds received from donors. The Principal, Secretary/Bookkeeper, Cook, Farm Manager and various qualified trades instructors are local volunteers. The Director of the Training Centre is Brother Colin Sinclair MSC. All others are from the local community. Three volunteers also assist the instructors and help manage the farm. They are former students of the school who have been selected because of their technical and leadership skills.
Since inception over 1600 students have passed through the Traning Centre.
Budget: $100,000 per year to keep the centre functioning. School fees per student are FJD$60.00 per annum. The level of funding provided MSC Incorporated has exceeded AUD$65,000.00.
