– How one teacher is helping to make a difference

FAJINA Khan, Head of the Business Department of the Leguan Secondary School, has her heart set on making the island a tourist destination. To this end, she has been working diligently to bring about significant changes that can positively affect the island and its people.

Because of limited employment opportunities in the past, Fajina decided that she would head into teaching, and has been in the profession for the past 22 years. However, her position as Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Leguan District allows her to be of further service to her community.

“Since the country is on the move, I feel that Leguan has the opportunity to propel itself in a new direction, technologically speaking and otherwise, so I am trying to better the community,” Fajina told Pepperpot Magazine a few days ago.

She has been using every opportunity available to help the residents to benefit from whatever is at their disposal. For instance, Fajina has helped people on the island to have access to the Small Business Bureau grant, which now allows many of them to start up small businesses.

She also worked with the authorities to pull off a massive toy and Christmas drive last December, and to organise an event to honour outstanding women on the island for International Women’s Day. These are initiatives that had not been done on the island for many years.

Furthermore, Fajina is also part of the beautification project on the island, where villagers are planting trees and undertaking other initiatives across the island.

Tourist Hub
Fajina strongly believes that Leguan Island can become a tourist destination. “We have a lot to offer; such beautiful beaches, the St. Peters Anglican Church built by the Dutch, the second-largest murti in the country, and excellent food,” she expressed.
“When people come out, they want an entire package, and I feel that Leguan has the capacity to offer that total package where people can come, have fun, relax and enjoy good food,” she continued.

As part of a scholarship to India in 2007 on how to integrate Computer Science and teaching, Fajina drew inspiration on how she could better her community. “I was very inspired to see how one part of the country was advanced, while the other is not. It motivated me to come back and use all these ideas and concepts to bring Leguan on par with the rest of the country and world.”
And so far, Fajina’s efforts have been paying off, and the island has been receiving the government’s support. “Our roads are improved, we have 24-hour water supply, and the government is currently working on a solar farm for the island, so costs can be reduced to the residents. We hope to see the environment become more beautiful,” she shared.

Persons can further their education through the GOAL programme and many teachers on the island are attending the Cyril Potter College of Education online. “I believe in women empowerment too, so that young girls in the community can access these opportunities and not be left behind. Many women in rural areas end up as housewives, but it doesn’t have to be like that.”

Even as her goal has been to help residents obtain a better lifestyle and more togetherness, Fajina has been facing her fair share of negativity. “I always tell myself that I have a clear conscience of what I’m doing. My main aim is to move this island forward to help Leguan keep up with the times and not be left behind; to move this place to a different level.”

She said good family support helps her to achieve this. “Being a woman and balancing family, work and business is not easy, but my husband is very supportive and he understands that women can go forward equally. I can say I am managing it with the support of my husband and family.”