Meet Jannet

While young people are leaving their islands for the perceived greener pastures, the young Jannet Ruatoe is determined to prove otherwise.

Freshly enrolled into the Television Production programme through the Cook Islands Tertiary Institute (CITTI) in Mangaia, this 23 year old has got her eyes on big goals she will strive for – from home.

Determined and passionate about her island, she believes that she can still achieve her dreams from home.

“I do not need to leave the island – to do courses I want to take says the optimist Jannet. We have internet in Mangaia and mentors that I can go to for assistance and support”.

One of CITTI aims for Pa Enua communities is to deliver programmes specific to the learner needs and desires. This programme not only promises to pave the way for this budding media professional – it also contributes to the development of the community; wherein an informed society is equipped to make effective decisions about their lives.

Jannet is no stranger to the media arena. Since completing high school five years ago – Jannet entered the work field – doing part time work at the Red Cross as a health/marketing officer designated to promote programmes and raise awareness within the community.

In the evening, she contributes her time at the community television station twice a week – her role involves serving community notices and programmes logged to air for the night. She has also received training at the Cook Islands TV station in 2012.

The Media Programme offered by the CITTI- Mangaia based office; will provide Jannet with the specific Television training – both theory and practical that requires her to produce five TV programs by the end of the media programme designed to run till November this year.

The Media programme began last week – her programme outline has already seen her covering her first TV program titled ‘Learn and Preserve Mangaia Local Medicine’. This is also a community initiative programme under the CITTI aimed at revitalizing and preserving traditional knowledge.