Tarau does her bit to fight cancer | 16-year-old spreads awareness on childhood cancer

While most 16-year-olds’ interests are centred around socialising or social media, Tarau Savou is focusing on spreading awareness on childhood cancer.

And not only that, the Year 10 International School Suva student also wants to raise funds for children diagnosed and living with cancer in Fiji.

Tarau said on her own initiative, she decided to adopt Walk On Walk Strong (WOWS) Kids Fiji as her personal community project.

The Ketei, Totoya, Lau lass who has been an active zumba participant for the past five years, decided to use the exercise regime to make a positive impact in her community.

“When we were given our personal project in school, I wanted to do something with children,” Tarau said.

“My mum and her friends usually do walk-a-thons and zumba for WOWS Kids Fiji and the team leader was very helpful and encouraged me to fundraise with something I was familiar with.

“And that is how I came up with zumba for WOWS.” Tarau said she had been creating awareness in school and doing fundraising towards her cause.

“Since taking on this personal project, I have been wearing a WOWS T-shirt to zumba. “I have also been handing out bookmarks and sharing stories with my friends in school about cancer.”

Tarau encouraged members of the public to come down in numbers to support WOWS Kids Fiji. “This is a good cause because you will be helping a child who is in need of assistance.”

WOWS Kids Fiji said they had an annual target of $300,000 and the figure was met via fundraisers, direct cash donations from businesshouses and friends in Fiji and abroad.

“We are always open to various fundraisers by friends of WOWS,” WOWS Kids Fiji said.

“They in return help us by promoting, within their communities, the early signs and symptoms of childhood cancer and the work we do for children diagnosed and living with cancer in Fiji and the Pacific.”

WOWS Kids Fiji said over the years they had always encouraged the participation of schools in their Childhood Cancer Awareness initiative and thanked young people such as Tarau for their contribution. “We are grateful for Tarau’s personal initiative.

“Not only is she going to raise some funds for WOWS, but she’ll be educating her friends and family about the signs and symptoms of childhood cancer.”

The zumba session for the WOWS event will begin at 8am this Saturday, June 3 at the Vodafone Arena with instructor Litiana Miller