[PDFlist] VALE: Mr Laisiasa Boginivalu Merumeru

Wed Sep 27 12:11:01 +12 2023

Fakalofa lahi atu, Kia Ora , Yadra Vinakalevu Seta, friends and members of
the Pacific Disability community. 

On behalf of the Co-Chairs and  the Board of the Pacific Disability Forum
and our members, I want to express our  condolences to the family of Lai at
his sudden passing.   Lai was a great human being, a friend, and committed
to helping others. He was indeed a gentle giant, with many gifts, including
a sense of humour to match his intelligence. A teacher and  advocate Lai,
and a champion are some of the tributes we will remember you by.

>From us in Aotearoa New Zealand we remember your passion to establish the
first Pacific Regional Disability Rights Strategy which progressed some
initiatives today.

Both Tewai and I remember great memories with you  Lai , and are thankful
for this.

Rest in peace Lai, your legacy will live on in our hearts.

Aue  Tulou!!

Latoa Halatau-Talagi

Co-Chair

Pacific Disability Forum.

Latoa Halatau-Talagi

From: PDFlist <pdflist-bounces at lists.pacificdisability.org> On Behalf Of Ann
Cheryl Armstrong
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 8:24 AM
To: Setareki Macanawai <Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org>;
pdflist at lists.pacificdisability.org
Subject: Re: [PDFlist] VALE: Mr Laisiasa Boginivalu Merumeru

Yadra Vinaka Seta and PDF community,

Derrick and I join in the tributes being paid to Lai and express our sadness
at his passing. While this is a loss for the Pacific Community, Lai was a
good and faithful servant who left his mark wherever he went.  We have much
to be thankful for in having as a colleague and friend. We know that he
served well and is no longer in discomfort. 

With deep condolences. 

Ann Cheryl and Derrick

Sent from Outlook for iOS <https://aka.ms/o0ukef> 

  _____  

From: PDFlist <pdflist-bounces at lists.pacificdisability.org
<mailto:pdflist-bounces at lists.pacificdisability.org> > on behalf of Setareki
Macanawai <Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org
<mailto:Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org> >
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2023 11:05:18 AM
To: PDFlist at lists.pacificdisability.org
<mailto:PDFlist at lists.pacificdisability.org>
<pdflist at lists.pacificdisability.org
<mailto:pdflist at lists.pacificdisability.org> >
Subject: [PDFlist] VALE: Mr Laisiasa Boginivalu Merumeru 

Warm Pacific Greetings PDF Members, Family and Friends

It is with deep regret that I convey to you the untimely passing of an
Associate Member, former independent Chairperson of the PDF OPD Fund
Committee, great disability champion and very close friend, Mr Laisiasa
Boginivalu Merumeru, fondly known to many of us as Lai who passed away in
his sleep at his residence on Friday, 22 September 2023. Mr Merumeru also
served as Lecturer in special/inclusive education at the Lautoka Teachers
College now part of the Fiji National University, Disability Coordination
Officer at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat and Lecturer also in
inclusive education at the University of the South Pacific. He also spent
few years in Rarotonga, Cook Islands supporting their work on
special/inclusive education. 

Our disability movement in the Pacific have lost some gentle giants in
recent years and Lai is certainly one of them. His intelligent, wise and
strategic advice coupled with his big heart, pleasant personality and huge
smiles/laughter will be sorely missed. He committed himself in the last 2
decades to improving the quality of life for children and adults with
disabilities in the Pacific. I thank Lai's family for this wonderful gift to
us and may his legacy continue to inspire us even more towards making our
Blue Pacific Continent more inclusive and equitable for all its citizens,
including those of us with disabilities!

May his soul rest in peace!

So long Lai and I truly miss you!

Seta

Setareki S. Macanawai

Chief Executive Officer

Pacific Disability Forum

Ground Floor, Kadavu House, Victoria Parade

GPO Box 18458, Suva, Fiji 

Tel: +679 331 2008; +679 773 0200

Mob: +679 992 1486; +679 708 2891

Fax: +679 3310469

Skype: setareki.macanawai

Email:  <mailto:Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org>
Setareki.Macanawai at pacificdisability.org

Web:  <http://www.pacificdisability.org/> www.pacificdisability.org

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Disability Forum

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