We are turning four this year and as in all birthdays, we look back at our growth so far and take stock of our direction for the future. This year we are particularly grateful for the opportunity to serve the women in our UK Fijian Community and to have this service recognised in return as it means that we are doing something right. And we want to be able to continue to do that for us UK Fijian ladies.
It has been a pleasure to gather, filter and disseminate information through our Women Connect programmes, Facebook Live and our Solesolevaki Workshops. These information sessions are supplemented by physical events like the Meke UK, Walk by Faith hikes and the Women Arise & Pray Conference. For us to be able to not only utilise our virtual presence but also match this with strong in-person events has been the icing on our four-tiered birthday cake!
MAUK is currently served by three committee members and six trustees. The committee members are responsible for organising and running various self-funded projects around the UK and Trustees oversee accounts and governance. We have received grants to carry out large projects like the Meke UK which was organised by the working group and Walk by Faith which was organised by former committee member Leonora Sinclair and current trustee Lita Hiagi Volavola. Turning four has not been without its fair set of challenges however the wins so far have been well worth it.
How are we celebrating?
To celebrate and mark this occasion, two committee members, Sereima Tawake and Kiara Valentine, together with two trustees, Lita Hiagi Volavola and Miri Suraki are leading four different hikes in each country of the UK. Each hike is to highlight each year of our existence and the different location represents how we Fijians have been posted throughout the UK. We are inviting you all to join us on any of these hikes.
We are also looking to raise funds to support the work that we are continually doing and to do this we are reaching out to you, our supporters. It is not easy competing for funding from limited means and most of the smaller projects we have been self-funded by the committee members and brought to you with a lot of love.
We are asking you to spare ONLY £4 on our Just Giving page as a way to help us celebrate our 4th birthday and allow us to run for forty years more. You can donate now on our Just Giving page: Help Us Raise Funds for Fijian family events in the UK
We want to increase the number of community-based projects we carry out and to do so we are reaching out to you, our supporters, to spare us £4. A £4 will help buy a coffee and a bagel for one participant in our Marama Connect meeting. Eight people giving £4 each can cover travelling expenses for one committee member travelling to the South to meet with communities there. Fifteen people giving £4 each can go towards proving printed materials and venue costs for an in person-workshop. Your £4 will make a huge difference!
The hikes are being done in all four countries of the UK to represent the various Fijian communities that have now settled in these areas. MAUK has always believed that our work at grassroots levels makes the most impact and this is reflected in our efforts to meet to as many communities as possible. Therefore this year we are branching out to our communities in Northern Ireland. If you are based in Northern Ireland then do take this opportunity to meet up with our Trustee and hike lead, Lita Hiagi Volavola, for a hike up Slieve Dinard on the 15th of July.
The other hike leads in Scotland and England will be holding their hikes on the same day while the hike up Snowdon, Wales is scheduled for the 29th of July. This will be a good chance for us Maramas to meet up and share a joke or two while keeping fit as we make our way through these hikes. Please note spouses and children are welcome too however health & safety responsibilities will rest with the consenting parents.
Hike Details:
Hike 1 Northern Ireland
Slieve Donard on 15th July 2023
Hike Lead: Lita Volavola
To join, contact Lita on lita.volavola@maramaalliance.com
Hike 2 Scotland
Ben Nevis on 15th July 2023
Hike Lead: Kiara Valentine
To join, contact Kiara on kiara.valentine@maramaalliance.com
Hike 3 England
Round Howe Nature Trail on 15th July 2023
Hike Lead: Ima Tawake
To join, contact Ima on sereima.tawake@maramaalliance.com
Hike 4 Wales
Snowdon on 29th July 2023
Hike Lead: Miri Suraki
To join, contact Miri on miri.suraki@maramaalliance.com
MAUK recognises that without the support from the community, our work for the past four years would have been harder therefore as we thank you once again for the support given in the past four years. We aim to continue to help many more ladies, especially our younger sisters newly arriving and settling into the UK and your support will make this possible. As this will be the first time we are doing an event in Northern Ireland, here’s an Irish toast to us:
Go maire tú an céad
May you live to be a hundred.
