Montfort Boys’ Town is located at Veisari, 15km from Suva, along Queens Road. It is a home for poor boys to be trained to become successful in life and to find a respectable place in the society. Boys Town is meant for boys from all parts of Fiji, irrespective of race and religion. After the completion of training in Boys Town, the boys are expected to contribute to improve the standard of living of their people.
The training program in Boys Town consists of Home Training (Character formation and personality development); Vocational Training (Competence based skill training); and Integrated Farming.
Foreword
Dear Trainees, parents, teachers, staff and friends of Montfort Boys’ Town,
Albert Einstein, said this: “The important thing is to not stop questioning”. By answering questions with more questions you’ll discover that learning one thing leads to learning something else. Pursue your passion as it will keep you engaged and bring meaning and purpose to your life and what you learnt at school can support your passion. Learning lasts a life time and your journey has just begun at Montfort Boys’ Town (MBT). MBT help youth to gain new skills, knowledge and qualifications, and boosts the overall competitiveness of the Fijian labor market.
Your experience at Boys’ Town is part of your identity and something to be proud of. While you will meet new friends and have new learning experiences, you will always have a special bond with those you are training at MBT with. Be grateful for the special connection you have with your peers for they will continue to be an anchor for you as you transition into a new world at work and beyond.
Boys’ Town imparts training in the following trades and they are:
- Motor vehicle mechanic
- Electrician
- Fitting & Machining
- Building & joinery
- Cabinet making
Skill competences are offered on the premises of Aristotle’s maxim: we are what we repeatedly do, and then excellence is not an act but a habit. There is two hours of monitored study in the morning and evening hours to complete their assignments, homework, etc
The classes are offered in different realms of subjects and they are:
- Theoretical definitions, and fundamentals of specified engineering trade
- Engineering drawing
- Sketch and estimate that can facilitate to make cutting list and costing
- Business English and effective communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Financial literacy & entrepreneurship
- Workshop calculations and simple science to comprehend the principles of engineering
- Allied subjects to compliment the trade
- Practical training
The ratio for theoretical classes to practical demonstration is 1:3 hours.
The whole idea of training at MBT is to make the trainees successful in their future life and thus MBT’s five Cs for successful life are:
- Be an expert in the skill you have chosen. You should be the best in the pack. Like Semi Radadra in Rugby which we played in Japan. Although, we didn’t win the trophy, Semi was an outstanding player. Just like a ship is not made for the harbor and the falcon is not designed to sit on the branch, you and I weren’t created for a mediocre life. There is more to life than to settle for the familiar, the mundane and the safe zones. Be a champion of your trade and skill. “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” Martin LK
- Courage and Confidence: Confidence comes from your competence. Courage comes from competence and confidence. Advocate and execute what you are best in. A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not on the branch but on it’s own wings. Always believe in yourself
- Communication skill: invest in your ability to expertly communicate. Leader need to communicate to his troops.
- Consistency: Be a continuous learner. Aristotle said ‘we are what we repeatedly do, then excellence is not an act but a habit.
- Without character, none of the other four steps will matter. Integrity is everything. This reminds me of Aristotle’s persuasion formula. The Greek philosopher said persuasion cannot occur in the absence of three things—logos, pathos, and ethos. Logos is logic—making a rational appeal. Pathos is emotion—making an argument that resonates with people on an emotional level. But Ethos is critically important—Ethos is character.
The evening programs are diversified as well. Each specific evening is bifurcated into different segments, i.e., organized study, organized recreation, worship according to one’s religion and faith, inter-house competitions for cultural extravaganza, oratory competitions, quizzing on general knowledge, trade subjects, dance competitions, best house-keeping competition, inter house games on rugby, football, volleyball, and athletic competitions are organized by time table and monitored. Cadet training too is part of the training program.
Montfort is striving to develop and enhance human resources that can make a difference in the economy of Fiji, by meaningful employment, productive entrepreneurs, and creative citizens.
It is our goal that each student realizes his potential through our challenging technical and academic program. In addition, we want each youth to develop the skills that matter most – the ability to think and learn across trade disciplines, connect ideas, create new knowledge, and engage in effective communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.
We surely wish our trainees well
Dr Brother J Madavana
Director