Date: 26 Jun 2026
Following a three-day Governance Training under the Vakatawa Noke Initiative, Miriama Tinai was selected by fellow residents to serve on the Social Affairs Sub-Committee, one of four new committees established under the Qauia Settlement Community Council.
The training was delivered by the Fiji Council of Social Services in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development, with support from Balance of Power.
Qauia, located in the Lami area on the outskirts of Suva City, is one of Fiji’s largest informal settlements and home to approximately 6,700 people.
Miriama’s selection marks a significant step in efforts to strengthen inclusive, community-led decision-making in Qauia, where residents are working together to shape more representative governance systems.
The training brought together community leaders, women, men, youth, government representatives and civil society partners to support the strengthening of the existing Qauia Community Council and establish four key sub-committees: Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Crime Prevention, and Social Affairs.
For Miriama, the moment carried personal meaning. A resident of Qauia in Lami, she lost a leg in an accident several years ago and says being included in the process was an important reminder of the value of participation for persons living with disabilities.
“As a woman and as a person living with a disability, I was happy that I was included in this training. I also speak on behalf of my fellow disabled friends, and I am grateful that we were not excluded from this process,” she said.
Originally from Nacula Village in the Yasawa Group, with maternal links to Nabouva Village in Wainibuka, Miriama now calls Qauia home. Like many residents, she believes meaningful community development depends on inclusive participation and shared responsibility.
Throughout the training, Miriama actively engaged in discussions and learning sessions focused on community governance and service delivery. Her contributions were recognised by fellow participants, who selected her to serve on the Social Affairs Sub-Committee, which focuses on issues affecting women, youth, persons living with disabilities, education and broader social wellbeing.
“It is so great to see that there is recognition that it is important for people like me to be involved in the process of establishing a governance structure and the formation of sub-committees,” she said.
One of the most valuable outcomes of the training for Miriama was gaining a clearer understanding of services and opportunities available to persons living with disabilities, and how they can engage more actively in community and organisational life.
“I learnt about services that my disabled friends and I can access, and how we can become part of organisations that support us. I also learnt more about governance and how we can work together to improve our community,” she said.
Her appointment to the Social Affairs Sub-Committee represents not only personal recognition but also a broader shift toward more inclusive governance in Qauia, where community members are taking on defined roles across the four sub-committees to support local development priorities.
The Vakatawa Noke Initiative, which supports governance strengthening in informal settlements across the Greater Suva-Nausori corridor, places strong emphasis on ensuring that women, youth, older persons and persons living with disabilities have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
For Miriama, the experience has reinforced her belief that inclusion is essential to effective community development.
“I’m grateful to those leading the initiative for ensuring that everyone is included. When people are given an opportunity to participate, they can contribute to making their community a better place,” she said.
As Qauia moves forward with its strengthened Community Council and newly established sub-committees, Miriama’s journey reflects the impact of creating space for diverse voices in local governance. Her selection to the Social Affairs Sub-Committee underscores a growing commitment within the community to ensure that leadership and participation are truly inclusive.