This summer I have been given the opportunity of a life time to work with a charity called 'Think Pacific'. I will be travelling with twenty students from my University to a remote village on one of the 33 islands of Fiji. We will be there for four weeks and during this time I will be living with a Fijian family.

Schools in Fiji, particularly those in rural areas, are understaffed and severely lacking in basic materials. Poverty forces many children to drop out of education early and children are forced into a future of limited education and opportunity. A major issue in the Fijian classrooms is that children miss the vital one-to-one support which makes a huge impact for those students who need a little more attention to learn and grow. As a mentor and teaching assistant, I hope to make a difference to the lives of Fijian children through the project.

The aims of the charity are the following:

To work within some of the poorest rural primary schools in Fiji, delivering numeracy & literacy projects on behalf of the Fijian government. We will focus on giving one-to-one support and small group lessons to children aged between 6-14. The organisation has seen dramatic increases in exam results and educational attainment in the schools they have supported, visibly increasing children’s reading and writing abilities as well as improving their confidence, social skills and self-esteem.

Think Pacific are working with Fijian schools nationally to set up Kindergartens in every village. We will help in the running of these early years’ education programmes for children aged 3-5. We will be teaching basic English language, literacy and numeracy, as well implementing Toothbrushing & Hand Washing Clubs. Much of the interactive activities will take place through music, songs, drawing, painting, crafts, storytime, outdoor play and sports!

Fijian children will be introduced to new sports, during daily PE lessons and after- school clubs. We will be leading sports coaching sessions each day - organising PE lessons in the primary schools as well as visiting more remote communities to lead ‘sports outreach clinics’ and even helping to establish leagues, inter-school competitions and an end-of-project sports day.

Think Pacific aim to offer support for all children within the community using imaginative and creative learning. Extra-curricular activities include art, drama, dance, music and photography. Fijian children are infectiously bubbly, curious, playful and bursting with energy. Unfortunately, a lack of resources means they have very little opportunity to enjoy extra-curricular activities and experience the personal development benefits which they bring. These initiatives have been recognised by the Fijian Ministry of Youth and Sports and Fijian Ministry of Education who have requested Think Pacific to implement youth programmes nationally and as a central aim of every project.

The reason I wanted to get involved in this project is that I feel passionately about education. I have been fortunate to receive an all-round education which has enabled me to pursue my chosen career. I look forward to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than myself and at the same time know that my life will be enriched from this wonderful experience.

Any donations that you are able to give will go directly to the charity and will help fund the much-needed resources to run these ambitious projects.