Apr 18 - Gibraltar Student Eager To Help Communities In Fiji
Two boarding school dormitories refurbished, three bus stops constructed, 39 primary schools fully refurbished – complete with composts and water tanks – and now Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA) is about to further extend its support of communities in Fiji.
VESA has selected Liverpool Hope University as the latest participant in a unique adventure tourism program aimed at helping the indigenous people of the Fijian Islands improve their living, educational and conservation conditions.
Gibraltar student Nifa Sellors will embark on an immersive two-week eco-break tailored to combine a minimum of 40 hours hands-on community-based volunteer work, a one-week home stay in a traditional Fijian village with a local family plus an amazing week-long cultural discovery tour. During her second week, Nifa will experience many of the natural wonders that Fiji has to offer.
Each student also raises sponsorship funds that help to cover the costs involved in participating in the program. These costs include hiring local skilled tradespeople to supervise and assist in the building projects, building materials and donations to local organisations.
Such a unique travel experience is one not to be missed, says Nifa.
“I have always been actively involved with charities since I was a young girl (such as Childline Gibraltar and The Guardian Angels Foundation) and with such a great love for animals and travelling, I am very much looking forward to embarking on this trip for such a wonderful cause too! Studying psychology at university and wanting to take on a job which involves caring for and helping others overcome problems in their lives, this volunteer trip is the first step to developing all the skills which I believe will also help me for a future job as a psychologist. I have also worked for the Gibraltar Rhythmic Gymnastics Association (GRGA) and with the Summer Sports programme for many years so working to help the children in Fiji is something I really look forward to!”
During her week’s homestay with a Fijian village family, Nifa will work with both construction and education teams.
Construction support efforts may include working with local villagers to construct an eco-friendly village compost, rain-water catchment tanks to provide fresh, clean running water, or restoring school equipment and buildings.
Education support activities are equally rich and varied. These may include teaching English to village children via lessons and games. Nifa will help to build on previous VESA trips to Fiji, which have seen enrolments at the renovated schools increase by 40 per cent on average.
Nifa will also help run basic workshops demonstrating proper hygiene techniques and the importance of animal welfare.
In addition to this two-week journey, Nifa has volunteered for an additional week where she will be working with a local turtle sanctuary to help reconstruct coral reefs and improve quality of life for this endangered species. In total, Nifa will be travelling with us for just under four weeks.
VESA Director Shona Luciani says that the program offers the balance of providing invaluable infrastructure and education programs to struggling communities in developing countries and offering life-changing experiences for volunteers.
“Past volunteers have said that the first week’s home stay is the most rewarding part of their volunteer program, yet living conditions in Fiji make them realise how good a life they have at home. Families often don’t have a stove, oven, shower, fridge or clean water and have limited electricity,” Shona says.
“Such insights can be truly transformative for volunteers, while their efforts have a very positive effect on the life of the Fijian villagers.”
Currently VESA organises eco-breaks in Fiji, as well as South Africa, Ecuador and Laos. To learn more about VESA, visit www.vesabroad.com.
Nifa Sellors can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on +44 07397310492/ +350 54011401/ 200 65854 for additional comments or to support them with sponsorship of their project.
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