The Fiji Catholic Pioneer Total Abstinence Association celebrated 60 years of existence in the country today, 27 April. 

Pioneer delegates from Nauru, Rotuma and several divisions across the country were at the celebration. 

The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic organisation founded in 1898 in Ireland. 

Taking the pioneer pledge involves three commitments: to abstain from alcoholic drinks, to wear the Pioneer emblem and to recite the Pioneer prayer twice daily.

Its purpose is to promote abstinence from alcohol and to support individuals in living a sober lifestyle. 

Taking the pioneer pledge involves committing to abstain from alcohol as a means of promoting personal health, spiritual growth and social responsibility.

The Pioneer Total Abstinence Association of the Sacred Heart offers three types of pledges: Limited, Temporary and Permanent. The Limited Pledge involves abstaining from alcohol for a specific period to adopt self-discipline. Temporary Pioneers renew their commitment annually, allowing for ongoing reflection. The Permanent Pledge is a lifelong commitment to sobriety, promoting health, spirituality and social responsibility.

Amongst the crowd today was Vasiti Lovobalavu  from Saint Andrew’s Parish in Savusavu who shared her story on what inspired her to take the pioneer pledge 31 years ago. 

The retired school teacher who resides in the North said that her students were part of the reason behind her taking the pledge, as oftentimes they would roll up to school with home brew.

Lovobalavu said that she never had issue with alcohol as she was not a drinker, so she thought to herself that there was no need for her to take the pledge but moving forward she began to understand that you don’t need to be an alcoholic to take the pledge and that there was a deeper meaning behind the purpose of the pledge and that it was to pray for those who struggle with addiction.

Mrs Lovobalavu devoted herself to conducting awareness programmes in her community and the nearby villages when she retired but the pandemic brought about several complications putting a hold to them, however, she said she will resume conducting the awareness programmes about the Catholic Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and the significance of taking up the pioneer pledge.