We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity of a
lifetime, so we grabbed it with both hands. It involved voluntary service
through the Rotary Clubs of Rotorua Sunrise, NZ and Taveuni Island, Fiji. Our
volunteers consisted of Lynne Joseph, Sue Gunn, Rosie Waller, Rachel Warrender
and Kay Clarke working on refurbishing the girls’ dormitory at Niusawa High
School. This involved painting walls and ceilings, and varnishing built in
bunks and wardrobes.
Taveuni has a population of 14,000 and is known as the
‘Garden Island of Fiji’. Food is abundant, with plentiful supplies of coconuts,
bananas, mango and bread fruit growing wild. It is famous for diving and
snorkelling. Agriculture and tourism are the main industries. Power is by
generator and not available to most islanders. Cars and four-wheel drive
vehicles are few as most locals get around on foot.
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| Ready to roll – Sue Gunn, Rachel Warrender and Kay Clarke at Niusawa High School, painting the dormitory. |
Niusawa High School has around 245 students. Some students
board at the school in the dormitories, which were in quite a sorry state.
Rotten floorboards, holes in the walls, and three students per single bed
shocked us. “We could see why the girls were so excited about us completing
their new dormitory – a bunk each was going to be a treat for them,” explained
Lynne.
Work involved 8am to 4pm days, working alongside a local
team of workers. They were completing building tasks ‘the old fashioned way’
with hammer and nail, hand saws and chisels, and an electric sander that was
plugged into the generator.
“By 4pm we were ready for a beer at the local bar while watching
the sun go down. The work itself was physical and enjoyable, and the team got
on really well,” added Rachel.
Sightseeing on the island involved visiting local villages,
the markets, going to church and the beach. We also spent time visiting
multiple Rotary projects that Rotorua Sunrise has contributed to, including
Taveuni Hospital and the Eye Clinic, Lavena School and Bucalevu Secondary
School.
Almost every development we saw from schools and preschools,
to the hospital and local ambulance had Rotary plaques proudly displayed. You
could clearly see the difference that Rotary and many helping hands was making
to the livelihoods and education of the local people.
Sue concluded, “For each of us it’s been a life changing
experience. We went to help others and see further ways we could contribute,
yet we gained so much in return. The hospitality from Geoffrey and Joey Amos
was outstanding and the attitudes of the local people inspiring. We were
welcomed with open arms, and blown away by the generosity of all involved.
Taveuni is regarded as one of the jewels of Fiji, and put simply, we couldn’t
agree more!”
