At the end of Day One of Tadra Kahani 2008, five primary schools are through to the finals. It is a Tailevu battle with traditional friendly rivals Nabitu Primary School and Nakelo District School both qualifying. From Suva Veiuto Primary School, International School Suva and defending champions Draiba Fijian School also qualified. The schools will compete on Friday along with 5 schools from the Secondary Division for top honours in the Primary Division.
But apart from the winners, other highlights of the night included an entertaining performance from Nadi Centre for Special Education, who first participated in 2006. Easily recognized in their dream story was the tourism industry, departures lounge and other features of the industry that Nadi thrives on.
A crowd favourite from the Nadi Centre for Special Education was 16-year-old Savenaca Taga, who had come to Tadra Kahani for the first time. The vocational student, who thrilled the crowd with his belly-dance moves, said his participation in Tadra Kahani 2008 has increased his awareness on tourists.
“I learned more about tourists and how they affect our villages,” said the intellectually challenged young man who resides at Vuniyasi Village, Nadi. “They buy what they need for us and we make friends with them and dance together.”
Teacher in charge Andrew Achari said Taga, who is in the Vocational Studies programme volunteered his services to the Tadra Kahani group and kept the teachers and students entertained even through rehearsals.
Achari said most of the students were initially very shy.
“We faced a lot of difficulty when getting the students ready because apart from the obvious challenges, the majority of them were very shy,” he said. “But as soon as they got into it there was no stopping them.”
Nadi Center For Special Education last participated in Tadra Kahani in 2006 and qualified for the finals but could not stay for the final evening because of financial constraints.
Achari said this year the group would stay back until Friday, regardless of whether or not they made it into the finals, so the students could enjoy the full experience of Tadra Kahani.
Achari said Nadi Centre For Special Education had raised funds with the help of teachers, friend and families or the participants. They are billeted at the Suva Special School: “One special school helping the other,” Achari said.
The finals of the Tadra Kahani Dream Story Stage Show will see the five primary schools and five secondary schools battle for top honours at the Vodafone Arena tomorrow. Tonight the Seconday/Senior Division competition get underway with 10 secondary schools taking part.
