Newly Built LDS College Dormitories To Cater For Melanesian Students

Fiji Latter-Day Saints (LDS) Church College opened their newly built dormitories recently to cater for students from outside Viti Levu and those from other Melanesian countries. The new facilities can accommodate more than 100 students, and has two sets of family apartments. Elder Adolf Johansson said the initiative boosts the college’s mission to provide, and extend its reach to young people in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. “Selected students from these countries, as well as students from remote areas of Fiji, will be able to attend the school and be blessed by the spiritual centered environment while pursuing their academic studies,” he said.

LDS College Bishop Romulus Kolinio Toro said: “We have our church schools in Tonga and Samoa so we realised that our Fiji culture is more suited to their life styles just to help the students feel more at home and with social interactions we thought it would be better to bring them here.” College principal Williame Ratu Saki said the project was completed on time to allow students to settle into their new dorms before the new school year began.

“The work was carried out by Pacific Building Solution including the construction of three main structures that include the main entrance lounge with dining area, male and female dormitory,” Mr Saki said. A Year 11 student from New Caledonia, Jessy Ozoux, has been in Fiji from last year. She said it was good to socialise with each other and staying in the dormitory as it felt more like home. A student from Papua New Guinea Ashton Hota said: “Fijians are more friendly, even though we come from different cultures, we are accepted as a family here. “It’s a good opportunity and blessing to come down to this college and do further studies. If you know your purpose you will achieve it.”

A student from Solomon Island Joseph Kausimae said he never missed home as the environment was “pretty amazing”. “It’s not what I expected, it’s more than what I expected and I’m so right to be here.” The students agree that LDS College is more about religion and academics. There are 55 students from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Fiji housed in the new dormitories.

Source: Pacific Building Solutions, Fiji Sun, Jan 23, 2020.