Mother Teresa once said it is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.

Youth leader and community worker, Tevita Vakaloloma, believes in that adage and uses his association in sports to give to those who need his help.

His spirit of giving stems not from the fact that he has a lot but how little he had while growing up in a big family.

“My job is to look after youths — basically the young and single adults in my community,” Vakaloloma said.

“We go out and help members if they’re staying at home unemployed or if they are eager to learn something.”

The Lau native with maternal links to Taveuni, Cakaudrove said he took pride in helping youths in his community come together and practise good sportsmanship.

“When I was growing up, I lived in a small settlement where I stayed with my grandparents.”

Vakaloloma said he was the middle child in a family of 11 children and was the only boy.

“For primary school, I attended Muanivatu District School in Cakaudrove and during my secondary school years, I attended Bucalevu Secondary School in Taveuni.”

He said that from a young age, he would write down his life goals after returning home from school. Top on his list was to work in the community and help those in need.

“My goals are to be a good leader in the community when I grow up.”

The youth advocate said during his childhood, a major struggle his family faced was trying to find the means to pay for everyone’s school fees.

“It was very hard for my parents and grandparents to pay up for our fees.

“So at school, I made sure I gave it my best shot because I knew the value and importance of education and how it would help me live a better life in the future.”

He said despite the hardships he encountered he was able to overcome them through the love and courage he got from his siblings and grandparents.

“They supported me in whatever I wanted to do and pushed me to be the best that I could be.”

“It gave me good experiences to share when I am out with my youth group and peers. It also gave be the opportunities to grow and learn.”

He said his future plans included travelling to other countries and doing volunteer work in vulnerable communities.

“I want to travel around the Pacific and the world and learn as much as I can.”

“I would come back and teach what I’ve learned in my community.”

His advice to young people is to support each other when chasing their dreams.

“We should be building each other so our communities can be strong.”