In October, Ms Ilisapeci Sokidi joined the MES Team as a Project officer for the Turtle Conservation Project. Being with the Team for almost a year, spending 6 months as a Volunteer and later completed a 3 months work experience attachment, the Team has seen her gain a lot of experience and confidence in her work. According to the Project Manger, her strong traditional values, personality, team worker and work with minimum supervision gave her complement the qualification she attained from her tertiary education. The 23 year old Tailevu local was happy to take up the offer as her first job opportunity. ‘Joining MES is a great milestone in advocating on the importance of Sustainable management of Natural Resources in the Mamanuca Region, said Ilisapeci. Working with MES, pursuing its aim in assisting members and its local communities to be more considerate of the surrounding ecosystems has been a great platform for me,” she added. Ilisapeci who graduated with Certificate in Industrial Laboratory Technology and Higher Education Diploma in Environmental Science in April from the Fiji National University, did not have any second thought of taking up the opportunity when offered the volunteer program last year .Her interest lies in conveying the message in sustaining environment resources for future generations. It is always her passion when it comes to environment presentations to school children, local community and resort guests time as this is the most important way of relaying message on Environment issues. Her contribution to sustainable tourism in meeting the needs of today’s tourists, whilst at the same time conserve nature and enhancing opportunities for the future has boosted the Organization. Her capacity building opportunity began a two weeks after joining in becoming a certified Open Water Diver by completing the Dive course facilitated Castaway Dive Team. ‘I never dreamt that such opportunity will come by that soon at this young age,’she added. MES wishes her all the best during her term with the organization.

Ilisapeci-Open water dive course