“LEADERSHIP IS

FIGHTING PROBLEMS”

ESSAY WRITING
COMPETITION
WITH THE NEW
ZEALAND HIGH
COMMISSION
COVID-19
Name: SALOME. TATIANA. RADRAVU
Year: 13
School: ST JOSEPHS’ SECONDARY SCHOOL
 “Leadership is Fighting Problems”

As Covid-19 has affected many lives of individuals, Fiji and New Zealand have been working
together to try and fight this pandemic with development and security cooperation; and the
outlook for the countries’ relationship. Having to experience such a drastic occurrence that
has temporarily laid-off some people from services, which have caused a lot of problems
within people’s homes. Thus, this essay will be based on the Covid-19 experiences that I as a
student has faced in my community, and also discuss New Zealand and Fiji’s partnership and
collaboration to help combat issues that continue to cause concern for long term solutions.

To begin with, being in an environment not being able to do anything was a norm for
people, was a very hard thing to do but also being in this environment has taught individuals
that “Tough times also comes with tough decisions” that is able to strengthen the bond
between family members and those living around us. Fiji was and still is committed to
strengthening its partnership with New Zealand, and commends New Zealand for the
continuous support and assistance to Fiji through the development cooperation program
that has helped many Fijians to get through and fight this pandemic which can be an
inspiration to others to stand firm and never let things, like this pandemic, that may have
stopped certain occasions, to try and terminate negative thoughts and change it into
something positive like:
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy,
not on fighting the old, but on building the new”

In addition, ever since covid-19 had hit the shores of pacific island countries, schools had
found it difficult to teach children all the necessary lessons that were need to be taught to
students but with the advanced technology and extra notes that teachers had sent to
students to keep them updated on these lessons, many children were able to keep
themselves busy during the lockdown that was set by the government. With Fiji and New
Zealand working together on the education system in Fiji, this has helped many students to
strive for excellence no matter the circumstances. Due to the COVID pandemic and related
travel restrictions, the Fiji Program Support Facility provided educational programs for
students in Fiji to help students get that quality education through delivery of lessons via
radio and television broadcast: some of the television-based lessons were translated into
sign language to ensure deaf students could participate.
‘Technology now allows people to connect anytime, anywhere, to anyone in the world, from almost any
device. This is dramatically changing the way people work, facilitating 24/7 collaboration with colleagues who
are dispersed across time zones, countries, and continents.”

Moreover, the Covid-19 Pandemic impacts not only our health but also our economies.
Cancer patients are especially impacted. Some are immune-suppressed because of the
treatment they are undergoing. Some are vulnerable because of the overall state of their
health. At the same time, support for charitable organizations is strained because many
people have lost their jobs or are facing job insecurity. The New Zealand High Commissioner
to Fiji Mr. Jonathan Curr had set up a fundraiser with WOW’s Kids Fiji to support parents
and those with cancer to courageously give these children and their families hope for a
bright and happy future.
"Ultimately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together."
Salome Radravu
St Josephs’ Secondary School
Year 13T
 “Leadership is Fighting Problems”

Therefore, many complaints were being told by citizens because of the amount of
frustration that was being faced and carried by those that were feeling too confined to their
homes but this was the only way to keep people safe from this pandemic. Complaints
shouldn’t be the case as this was the only way to make sure that the pandemic wouldn’t
spread from person to person, household to household and then from country to country.
But if more people were careful and not self-centered more citizens would have been kept
safe, some would have been able to see their families and some would have saved others.
Being arrogant and selfish won’t do anyone any good but working together and being more
resilient will bring prosperity
“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”

Generally, the impact of the pandemic and its consequences are felt differently depending
on our status as individuals and as members of society. While some try to adapt to working
online, homeschooling their children and ordering food via Instacart, others have no choice
but to be exposed to the virus while keeping society functioning. Our different social
identities and the social groups we belong to determine our inclusion within society and, by
extension, our vulnerability to epidemics. But whilst being in this pandemic New Zealand
has shown great support to keep both Fiji and New Zealand safe as such have the obligation
to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights. Also, to respect and protect the most
vulnerable individuals and to create the conditions for the fulfillment of economic and social
rights for all.
“Challenge and adversity are meant to help you know who you are. Storms hit your
weakness, but unlock your true strength.”

Basically, New Zealand celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations with Fiji. Taking a
significant role to protect and ensure that all citizens are safe is a very difficult task but with
the outstanding performance done by the medical team of the Ministry of Health and the
New Zealand High Commission in contributing in the safety of all Fijian citizens, this has
been a great support to the government of Fiji as this has saved up a lot of time and effort
for work to be carried out and the pandemic has minimized giving people hope, faith and
love for the nations pride in keeping Fiji safe.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more
important than fear.”

In conclusion, to eliminate the fear within the nation, Fijians must work together hand in
hand to combat these kinds of challenges that eradicate the nations pride to work together
but with support and courage, people will be able to single handedly fight this pandemic
and diminish problems if we stand up for a change and fight.
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Words 1057

Salome Radravu
St Josephs’ Secondary School
Year 13T