The YRP was exposed to its largest audience of over 20,000 people at the two-day Coca Cola Games held at the TFL National Stadium on Friday and Saturday, May 1st and 2nd. 

With the kind support of the Fiji Sports Council, the YRP Team was allowed access and was the only tent allowed to be put up in the main throughway to the main entrance on Laucala Bay Road. 

As students, parents, old scholars and supporter streamed into the TFL National Stadium for the annual premier schools’ athletic event, the YRP distributed yellow ribbons and leaflets as well having the opportunity to share the YRP message with individuals and school groups. More than 1000 yellow ribbons were pinned on in-flowing spectators. 

An estimated 8000 people were in the stadium on the first day of the competition with over 12,000 on the second.
The YRP is now targeting sporting events, especially among the schools and youth, as it is also concerned with prevention of offending, say YRP co-ordinator Isireli Dausiga. 

“While the Yellow Ribbon Project could be seen as being concerned with the after-care phase, it is also essential that we address the younger members of society who are risk groups that prison is not a good place, that crime does not pay, and that prison is a waste of good life. 

“Those are equally important messages along with our effort to generate community action of acceptance, forgiveness and giving of second chances to offenders when they are released from prisons.” 

The YRP Team now has the support of the Fiji Sports Council to promote its message of forgiveness and giving second chances in all its facilities. “It is a very worthy course and we support it totally,” says Council CEO, Mr Paul Yee.

POC Kulinidilo, POC Ketevere and Mr Nata at the Coca Cola Games YRP Tent.

www.corrections.org.fj