Marist Old Boys 84 Walkway Project: A Legacy of Gratitude.

It all started with a casual talanoa session during Maritino Nemani’s apartment house-warming in 2023.

None of us thought our catch-up would turn into this amazing project that will benefit our school kids for generations to come says MOB84 president Isimeli Bola.

Our MOB84 crew – old boys who left Marist Brothers High School forty years back – had just finished a small walkway near Brother Lambert Hall when we got inspired.

As we shared stories that evening, our deep appreciation for Marist Brothers became clear.

We decided right there to mark our 40-year milestone by building a covered walkway to keep current students dry during rainy days.

"We simply wanted to give back to the school that made us who we are today," says Isimeli Bola, MOB84 President. "This project really shows our commitment to those five Marist pillars and values we learned back in school."

The project quickly took off under Chairman Lorima Nadroko's leadership.

He suggested to the group that Mr Nemani, be in-charge of the financial aspects and secure sponsors.

Nemani reached out to his networks, and got backing from Extra Supermarket, Kava-Corp, Comfort Homes, Kundan Singh, including OBs and a few silent donors who really came through for us.

We will forever be grateful for their contribution. It’s our joint corporate social responsibility to the community says Mr Nemani.

According to Mr Nemani, at first, the project seemed completely overwhelming—like climbing a mountain without equipment. My mind raced wildly, thoughts jumbling together while my heart pounded so hard I could feel blood rushing through my veins, creating traffic jams in my system as my blood pressure skyrocketed.

I was caught in this intense internal battle between believing in success and fearing failure. When we first shared our vision with friends, their wide-eyed "wow" reactions followed by "that's a massive undertaking—do you guys really think it's possible?" could have discouraged us.

Instead, those doubtful comments lit a fire within us. Something about being underestimated strengthened our resolve. Our determination, discipline, and commitment grew stronger than our fears, pushing everything else aside as we tackled the challenge head-on, one step at a time.

What makes our story special is the mix of talents, sheer team unity and dedication in MOB84, all connected by our Marist education and desire to leave something meaningful behind.

Mr Nemani added, the WALK84WAY stands as the cornerstone of MBHS infrastructure, ingeniously designed to maximize functionality while meeting diverse student needs.

This architectural innovation transcends the conventional concept of shelter, serving as a dynamic collaborative space where students engage in focused breakaway discussions that foster academic growth.

The facility provides secure, weatherproof storage for valuable training equipment and personal belongings.

Its strategically positioned lunch bays transform mealtimes into comfortable social experiences, while the sheltered viewing areas offer unobstructed sightlines to athletic competitions regardless of weather conditions.

Perhaps most importantly, the WALK84WAY houses dedicated wellness zones that prioritize student mental health through purpose-built spaces for meditation, stress reduction, and emotional support activities.

This multifaceted resource has evolved from mere school amenity to essential educational asset, seamlessly integrating physical comfort with academic excellence.

The RFMF provided incredible labour support, with their engineering team working from day one. "These RFMF engineers became honorary Old Boys through this project," notes Secretary Solo Mara. "Maritino Nemani was responsible for feeding the Military officers throughout the duration of the project that started in August 2024.

The various MOB chapters also assisted with food supplies which kept them well-fed throughout construction, which was brilliant." Our overseas brothers stepped up big time too with significant help.

As the financial lead, Nemani is truly proud of what they've achieved: "This project shows what happens when classmates come together with common purpose. We hope it inspires future Marist students to keep this giving tradition alive." My connections in the Suva business community helped secure funding assistance to the overall project cost of $260,000 including our personal contributions and fundraising to ensure we finished strong.

For the students who will walk beneath the "WALK84WAY" for years to come, it's more than just shelter from rain – it represents the lasting impact of a Marist education and the importance of service and gratitude and strong legacy.

In March 2025, we proudly opened and handover the "WALK84WAY" to the Marist Brothers. It stands as proof of those strong bonds we formed forty years ago and the values the Brothers instilled in us says Mr Nemani.

As we MOB84 members think about what might be next, we're just happy we turned a simple get-together into something permanent for the school that shaped our lives.