Help create opportunities for Young Fijians

For the majority of tourists visiting Fiji, the underlying issues of hardship are not immediately visible. It’s not until you journey beyond the resorts and into the rural communities, that issues affecting children in Fiji become clear. In a destination more synonymous with paradise than poverty, the harsh truth is that in the rural villages, over 75% of families live below the poverty line and only 50% of the rural population have access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. Schools are in a poor condition and devoid of basic materials and many children drop out of education early. Less than 5% of children in rural areas have access to early years’ education. Access to organised youth schemes, sport and extra-curricular activities are limited to non-existent. In February 2016 Fiji witnessed it’s worst cyclone ever recorded. Over 400 schools were damaged, 50,000 families displaced and entire communities destroyed. Fiji could take a generation to recover and children are in dire need of long term support.

Think Pacific is a foundation that has paired with the Fijian Ministries of Education, Youth, Sports and Health to try and change the situation for the Fijian children. I am happy to announce that in the summer of 2018 I will have the opportunity to volunteer for them and to go on a 3 week expedition to one of the more remote villages of Fiji to teach the local children English, maths, and to increase the standards of education, extracurriculars, and sports.

Though I am more than happy to pay for my own travel expenses, I am in need of some help for the actual cost of the expedition. £400 of the total cost will go to helping the community after we have left at the Think Pacific end of the summer, and if we are able to raise any more than the set goal, it will all be donated to help Fijian schools.

Christmas is a few days away and my birthday is in a couple of months, if anyone is thinking of getting me any presents please consider donating and helping me to go on this expedition, just £5 or £10 would make a world's difference! If you weren't thinking of getting me anything at all because you don't like me, then do it for the children (pretty please) or donate to the charity directly. If you are unable to donate, then please share this on your social media and tell your friends and family about it, even if you may not support me directly you may be interested in eventually participating yourself.

If you want to find out more, take a look at their website, check out their Instagram @thinkpacific, or their Facebook page.