The graduates at Tifakej Mud Pool and Hot Spring in Sabeto, Nadi. Photo: LITIA MATHEWSELL
By LITIA MATHEWSELL
Thirty women from Tifajek Mud Pool and Hot Spring in Sabeto, Nadi, yesterday graduated in massage therapy with the assistance from the Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO).
The group trained in a weeklong specialised course by the South Pacific Academy of Beauty Therapy and were pleased with their new certification after intense training.
Tifajek manager Mili Racule said the challenges included returning to a classroom setting after many years and leaving behind household chores for the gruelling course.
She noted however the new accreditation would see clients enjoy a new standard of professionalism and also be an asset to the local tourism industry.
“We are trying to develop this facility and continue to keep the authenticity of Fiji,” she said.
The estate was supposed to be sold to a Japanese investor in 1994, however family elder, Kilioni Kubu, declined and instead encouraged his family to instead invest in the business.
Speaking at the graduation yesterday, PIPSO chief executive Mereia Volavola said this foresight has reaped benefits for the people of Sabeto and the surrounding community as a thriving tourism attraction.
“This shows that even in our traditional setting, we can still build up a commercial company with a traditional discipline,” she said.
“I pay tribute to them for not selling a commercially-viable estate but instead developing it and considering their community.”
Ms Volavola said the skills and services of the new graduates would widen their horizons and make them more marketable.