When we think of poverty stricken countries, Fiji is rarely a country that comes to mind. For the majority of tourists holidaying in Fiji, the underlying issues of hardship for local people are not immediately visible. In a destination more synonymous with luxury than deprivation, the harsh truth is that in the rural villages, more than 250,000 of Fiji's population live in poverty. According to the Asian Development Bank, only 50% of the population in Fiji has access to safe water and proper sanitation. The level of access to sanitation is 75% in urban areas, but only 12% in rural areas. There have been increases in youth crime and drug abuse in Fiji due to lack of work opportunities, limited positive role models and an absence of organised youth schemes and extra-curricular activities. Youth unemployment and urban drift are increasing in Fiji, with rural communities left with a severe lack of skills, training, support and available income.

Think Pacific's 4 Week Fijian Project in 2017 aims to:
1. Make a positive contribution to immediate needs and improve local resources and infrastructure in rural Fijian communities, through financial support from Think Pacific and hands on assistance from volunteers and skilled local professionals.
2. Support a locally directed and sustainable model of development aimed at increasing local empowerment and providing long term solutions to development issues via skills sharing, community specific support, critical analysis and long term financial assistance.
3. Invest in Fiji's youth; increasing opportunities for future generations of Fijian children by facilitating access to improved infrastructure, education, training and support.

ALL money raised through this page is solely for use in the Fijian communities and will be spent on improving local infrastructure. I am privately raising the remainder of Think Pacific's fee through part-time work and am keeping it separate to this charitable expenditure.