Seforana Kauata

My name is Seforana Kauata and I am Rotuman. My parents are Alfred Kauata from Malhaha and Kiji from Itu‘muta, Rotuma.

I attended Dudley High School and completed Form 6 in 2001. I attended Fiji Institute of Technology (F.I.T) from 2002-2004 and graduated in 2005 with a Trade Certificate in Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) Automotive Engineering.

F.I.T. Graduation

I joined St. John Ambulance in Suva in May 2004 as a member and volunteer. I am in the Second Ambulance Division.

In September 2004 I was a Colour Party member in the Investiture Service.

In December 2004 I got a United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Award Certificate for Outstanding Junior Champion Volunteers-1st Runner Up and cheque of $250.

Also in December 2004 I received the following certificates at the St. John Awards ceremony:

• Foot-Drills Instructor Certificate with a Pass-out Parade
• Senior 1st Aid Certificate-to attend Public Duties
• Highest Public Duty-Male Certificate with a Trophy
• Duty Officer Certificate-In charge of Public Duty if Senior
• Rugby Touch and Soccer Certificates-which our division won in the Sports Day.

In 2006 I was attached at St. John Ambulance for seven months as a Volunteer Stores Clerk and also participated in the St. John Ambulance First Aid Competition; my group took third place with the highest marks in Exam and Resuscitation. I also was awarded:

• Certificate in Ambulance Education
• First Aid waist bag
• Plaque
• Medal for participation
• Three Certificates in Public Duties Hours total of 400 hours

In 2008 I was appointed to be a Foot-Drill Instructor for my Second Ambulance Division and in August I was an instructor for the St. John members in Foot-Drills who are to take part in the Hibiscus march.

St. John Ambulance Parade	Investiture Service-Colour Party

I have two Certificates in Bible Study from Bible Training Institute (BTI).

In 2006-2009 I attended New Zealand Pacific Training Centre (NZPTC) and have attained the following Certificates:

• Certificate in Internet & E-mail
• Certificate in Computing
• Advanced Certificate in Computing
• Advanced Certificate in I.T.
• Certificate in PC Maintenance

I graduated in 2009 with a Certificate IV in Information Technology. I am continuing with my Diploma in Information Technology.

Myself and Dad

In 2008 I earned two Yellow Belts in Shotokan & Goju Ryu Karate in just 11 months.

Myself with Yellow Belt & Certificate

From Fiji Times Online (27 May 2009)

Get your dreams

St Johns Ambulance volunteer Seforana Kauata

Believe in yourself, have faith and move forward to achieve your dreams says this confident youth.

Twenty five-year-old Seforana Kauata is a proud volunteer at the St John Ambulance-Suva for the past five years.

What he is more proud of and sees as an achievement is his success as a minority in society.

"I being a Rotuman took the challenge to choose and work with an organisation that hardly has any of my people. It has never been hard for me to make friends with other races. It was a challenge for me. I did feel alone in the beginning but I didn't let anything bring me down because I was only focusing on my goals," said Seforana.

He has always been passionate to work for a service organisation.

"I wanted to learn more because that builds on my self-confidence, improves my character and helps me to become a better person in life. I was always interested to learn about St John's first aid and foot-drill. I found it to be very interesting," he said.

As a volunteer, his top priority is to learn and help others.

After four months of joining St John in 2004, Seforana became a member of the Colour Party in the Investiture Service which the President Ratu Josefa Iloilo received the Knight of Saint John at Government House.

In December of the same year, he received the United Nations Award Certificate for outstanding junior champion volunteer's first runner up.

He was also recognised for highest public duty male trophy at St Johns.

Seforana has served for 400 hours in public duties attending sports events like rugby, soccer and hockey tournaments since 2004.

He holds a yellow belt in karate.

He is the sports co-ordinator at New Zealand Pacific Training Centre where he attends school to prepare for sports like rugby, soccer and volleyball for the inter-tertiary games.

"I have achieved all that I had planned to achieve five years ago. It is very important for us to make plans, set goals and then work towards it. Take every opportunity that comes your way. Even if you don't achieve something, it's all right because at least you attempted it and there are no regrets," says Seforana.

Born and bred in Suva boy is the second eldest of his three other siblings.

The proud Rotuman hails from Malhaha in Rotuma.

From Seforana Kauata (20 August 2009)

I participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award doing the four sections of the bronze award.

1. Service - I did public duties at St. John Ambulance.
2. Expedition - I had a camp at St. John Ambulance.
3. Skills - I created a website at NZPTC - (New Zealand Pacific Training Centre)
4. Physical - I did Shotokan Karate and got a Yellow belt.

Completed and received my Bronze Award Certificate and Badge on 12 August 2009.

I am proud of myself and I thank God, my family and those who helped and supported me for getting this achievement.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a programme at 1 of 3 progressive levels which and when successfully completed lead to a bronze, silver or gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold.

With assistance from adult leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the following areas:

• Volunteering - undertaking service to individuals or the community.
• Physical - improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
• Skills - developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
• Expedition - planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad.
• At Gold level-participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.

From Seforana Kauata (30 October 2009)

My dad "in the spotlight" of the Toyota Pacific Review

Mr.Alfred.Kauata

What is your current position at Asco Motors-Fiji?
Parts Warehouse & Distribution Manager-Nabua, Suva.

How long have you worked for Asco Motors Fiji?
Since 3rd March, 1971 (38 years)

What are your likes and dislikes?
Likes-My job, staff & family.
Dislikes-Work Pressure.

What is your favourite movie?
The Land Has Eyes

What sort of music do you like?
Island Music

What is your favourite Food?
Fish in Coconut milk, Bele & Taro

What is your favourite Sporting Team?
South African & Fiji Rugby Teams

What is your favourite Car to Drive?
Toyota Corona

Favourite holiday destination?
My Island of Rotuma

What are your hobbies?
Watching Rugby & Soccer

What makes you laugh?
Jokes from the Asco Nabua Kava Team

Biggest achievement?
My 38 years with the Asco Family

From Seforana Kauata (20 December 2009)

On 12 December 2009 I participated in the Karate Competition representing the Goju Ryu Karate – YMCA Club. I won two golds and one silver in the following categories:

1. Kata 21 + years – Male Kata – Gold
2. Kumite 21 + years – Male Kumite – Silver
3. Team Kumite – Gold.

I did my grading in Goju Ryu Karate on 13 February 2010 and received my Orange Belt Certificate on 15 February 2010.