Vuli calls it a day
Hardworking, determined and friendly are three words that come to mind when you meet Vereti Vuli Kaitani.
Originally from Nasau, Moce in the Lau group, Vuli naturally had a passion for the outdoors and nature. A mechanic and handyman by profession, Vuli as he was commonly known not surprisingly chose to begin his career with the Ministry of Forestry.
On 16th March 1985, a fresh faced Vuli started work with the Ministry’s office in Lautoka.
While his domain was the garage, that did not stop Vuli from learning all he could about forestry.
“I learnt a great deal from the different divisions I was posted to and for me the real reason I decided to spend my entire working life with the Ministry of Forestry is because I am of the view that trees are the source of my every breath. My love for nature and the fact that it provides one of the most essential needs for us humans is why I stayed in the Ministry.”
Vuli retired on Monday 27 April 2020 from the Ministry after 35 years of service.
“The Ministry of Forestry has taken me and my family around Fiji and given me a platform to earn my living and support my family all these years and I leave with a heavy heart, he said.”
PS Forestry, Mr Pene Baleinabuli on behalf of the Minister for Forestry and all staff thanked Vuli for his outstanding dedication to the Ministry.
“When the opportunity arises, the Ministry will organise a modest farewell for someone who has dedicated his entire working life to serve the people of Fiji through Government,” PS Baleinabuli said.
While Vuli was sad to be leaving the Ministry, he is encouraged that his children will continue his legacy as they too have a passion for working in the outdoors and nature.
“My son Anare works at the Forest Resource Assessment and Conservation (FRAC) Division while Lorima works at the Colo-i-Suva Nursery.”
Vuli added he is hopeful that his daughter who recently graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of the South Pacific (USP) will also join the Ministry of Forestry in the near future.
Retirement is not going to slow Vuli down as he intends to continue the Ministry’s 30MillionTreesin15Years initiative by establishing a nursery on his farm in Lobau, Namosi.
“I know that the Ministry of Forestry needs a lot of seedlings in its aim to achieve its tree planting targets so I intend to lend a hand and help them achieve this. But this time I will be my own boss in the farm,” Vuli said.