Laisiasa Vou, a Year 8 student from Nakelo District School, dreams of becoming a boat captain one day. He is inspired by his father, who is a fisherman in Kaba, Vatani, in Nausori. His father owns a boat and often takes Vou out to sea for fishing.

Vou is the youngest of nine siblings. He was very happy to meet the team from the Fiji National University, who visited his school as part of their outreach programme. The team from the Pacific Centre for Maritime Studies shared helpful guidance and information about their training and programmes.

“My father takes me out to the sea for fishing, and I am always inspired by how he drives the boat,” he explained.

“Controlling the boat in rough seas needs a lot of strength, and I believe that after I get an education from Fiji National University, I will become a boat captain.”

Vou’s story shows how a young boy’s dreams can be shaped by his family and his love for the sea.