If there is anything the entire world has tried, it has got to be a curry dish. Did you ever stop to think about its origins here in Fiji??

On this day back in 1879, exactly 134 years ago, my Indian forefathers made their maiden journey on a ship called the Leonidas to Fijian shores to begin life here under the Girmit system. Under this system, they were classed as indentured labourers ( legal contract reflecting a debt or purchase obligation), having been brought to Fiji by our British Colonial rulers between 1879 and 1916 to work on sugar cane plantations. In later years, the free settlers (Gujarati and Punjabi) arrived and thus began the start of business houses in Fiji. About 85% of all commercial houses in the country are Indian-owned. The indentured labourers paved the way for Fiji's growth in the business sector as sugar used to be our main export. With this trading, we were able to build our country from the ground up. My beautiful island home stands on the foundation made by my forefathers in the Girmit system. 

When the Indians arrived, they brought with them their traditions and culture and culinary habits, which have been adopted by every household in the country. Native Fijians enjoy curries so much so that it is almost a staple now  

In Indian homes now, and our volunteers will also notice this, they will ALWAYS have tea on hand for every visitor. Meals will include curries and roti (chapatti) and the most popular dhal (lentil soup) which is very healthy when you add in spinach or carrots etc. Other then the food, Indians have their distinct dress which includes gold jewelry and this has been mashed with Western designs to create something close to a Bohemian look. Indian prints are world-renowned and fetch quite a high price in overseas markets, especially cotton and silk. Here in Fiji, we also have many stores that sell Indian clothing like "saris" and "salwar kameez" and believe it or not, every other ethnic group in the country has worn one of these 

There is so much history behind the arrival of Indians in Fiji and this is all available online for your perusal. I've added in some archived photographs as well. Hope you enjoyed this little peak into the history of my forefathers!

A Girmit couple in Fiji

A Girmit woman in traditional finery

Breakfast on board the Leonidas en-route to Fiji

A shipping document for an Indian male on the first trip of the 'Leonidas' to Fiji

Until my next blog, stay cool xx

Good morning from sunny Nadi!

This is a combined update on Holiday School in both regions in Fiji. Our volunteers have been really busy taking classes over the 2-week term break. The response from the students and teachers have been amazing and we are very appreciative of the parents as well for allowng their children to be a part of this wonderful alternative learning experience. The classes run as normal but with a slightly fun twist. The children are able to hone their artistic skills, ie. singing, dancing and painting etc. When I visited the schools, the volunteers were wrapped up in their classes but were very keen on having their photographs taken. At Namaka Public School, it was so strange being treated like a celebrity as the supervising teacher Mrs Lenati announced my arrival via megaphone  oh man was I embarrased haha. One by one, the students filed out of the classrooms onto the main ground for their photo shoot. After a hearty "Bula!", I took their photographs and they filed back into their rooms with smiles as radiant as the sun! In Suva, St. Joseph the Worker Primary School was business as usual. The volunteers were very busy organizing their daily routines and they began the day with songs that raised the mood of the children. I know nobody likes waking up early in the mornings to go any where for that matter so a little bit of morale-boosting helps so much! All in all, everything went extremely well! Graduation is around the corner and there will be a concert organised in both regions as well as presentation of certificates and prizes for their efforts. Fun times ahead!

Bula everybody, I am Rianne Verhoek from the Netherlands. How it starts: in the Netherlands I play a lot of volley ball. I missed to sport in Fiji so I asked Oripa from Projects Abroad if it was possible to play volley ball in Nadi. She told me that it was possible to practice with the Nadi team so my host dad took me to the training and from the beginning I liked it. 

Everybody was so kind and always helped me. We trained every day in the afternoon. After a couple trainings the coach asked me to play games with the Nadi 1 volleyball team. With the Nadi 1 team we joined the Eastern tournament in Suva. 

We won all the Pool games and our quarter final. Unfortunately, we lost our semi-final. We slept with all the teams together, every morning we had devotion and I had a lot of fun with all the Fijian people. It was a wonderful experience for me.

The next weekend we played in Lautoka. We were playing outside and it was hard to play with the wind and sun. It wasn't our best day. We lost 2 and we won 2 games. At the end of the day we were 3th in our Pool. That means that we didn't reach the semi finals. But it was again a wonderful experience for me.

I would like to say "Vinaka" to all the people from the team, players, coaches and trainers. Thanks for your support, you are lovely people. I'll miss you all.

Rianne Verhoek from the Netherlands

Bula All!

Monday morning madness greets us all! Another work week, another dollar to be made. I visited Nadi last week and thanks to Aunty Meme (Mere Gaunavou), I was able to drive into Dratabu village to visit two of our wonderful volunteers who are living and working in the village, namely Maud Schreuders and Melanie Van Schriek. They teach at the village kindergarten/school where they help in library and Information Technology classes. These girls were really enjoying themselves at their host family as the views are breathtaking and the life is simple and relaxing. Their host mum is such a friendly and amazing Fijian lady by the name of Lavenia Kurucake who loves entertaining and taking the girls out to meet family and friends. She is also very active with the Women's Club in the village and the volunteers actively participate in creating tie-dyes and screenprinted sarongs and decorative hangings for the house. Maud and Melanie will be taking back self-made sarongs when they return home and the love of a wonderful Fijian family from Dratabu Village in Nadi.

Till next time, happy blogging! xx

Bula All!

Monday morning madness greets us all! Another work week, another dollar to be made. I visited Nadi last week and thanks to Aunty Meme (Mere Gaunavou), I was able to drive into Dratabu village to visit two of our wonderful volunteers who are living and working in the village, namely Maud Schreuders and Melanie Van Schriek. They teach at the village kindergarten/school where they help in library and Information Technology classes. These girls were really enjoying themselves at their host family as the views are breathtaking and the life is simple and relaxing. Their host mum is such a friendly and amazing Fijian lady by the name of Lavenia Kurucake who loves entertaining and taking the girls out to meet family and friends. She is also very active with the Women's Club in the village and the volunteers actively participate in creating tie-dyes and screenprinted sarongs and decorative hangings for the house. Maud and Melanie will be taking back self-made sarongs when they return home and the love of a wonderful Fijian family from Dratabu Village in Nadi.

Till next time, happy blogging! xx

Hi everyone!

We've only just started our Office Beautification Project and thanks to our Projects coordinator Mitieli Savu, we finally have the authentic Fijian look down pat. Wall hangings with the Projects Abroad Fiji name inscribed on it plus a large mat and other hangings have been brought in from Galoa by Mitieli. We are totally loving the new look and hoping our volunteers will enjoy the Fijian theme. Take a look at these photos:

Hi All

Everyone is abuzz with the news of our national carrier purchasing her newest airplane, the Airbus A330. Her maiden voyage to her Fijian home was welcomed by much pomp and gaiety. Here in the capital, the entire city and schools came to a standstill as she flew past, circling twice over the city limits. What a wonderful sight to behold! Instant goosebumps is what I got when i saw her and heard the excited screams of the school children next door. The mere thought of seeing our national carrier come alive in such a wonderful display of traditional design was too much to handle. All I could do was smile proudly at this wonderful feat of human ingenuity. 

She was birthed a long way away from Fiji, closer to southern France, in Toulouse. Airbus builds half of the worlds jetliners and is well-reputed in the aviation industry. This achievement for our little island nation is the result of years of planning and foresight into our economy and the future of Fijian aviation. With the emergence of this new aircraft into our fleet, Fiji will see the dawn of a new era of world-class service and excellence. 

Now we can proudly say that Fiji has been placed on the map and our future travelers, including our volunteers will also have the chance to experience excellent inflight service with a touch of true Fijian hospitality.

Welcome home A330! It's good to finally meet you!

<photos courtesy of Mai Life Magazine>

Waiting patiently for the Lady to arrive :)

Here she comes in the distance.....

Pleased to meet you Lady Viti!

"Special Needs" is an umbrella underneath which a staggering array of diagnoses can be wedged. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound cognitive impairment; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. The designation is useful for getting needed services, setting appropriate goals, and gaining understanding for a child and stressed family.

Minuses and Pluses:

Enter Amanda McGrath and Charlotte Buckley - these 2 young ladies from the UK are placed at Nausori Special School where they help out in teaching and taking care of children with special needs. When I visited them, they were reading stories and playing with hand-puppets with the children. It was really good to see them engaged in interactive games with the children. The responses they got were positive. Amanda and Charlotte help out in different classes (age gaps) and were fully engrossed in their classes when I arrived. Below are photos of them both 

Bula!

I started my visit at the Animal shelter SPCA down in Walu Bay where our PRO volunteer from the UK is based, Paula Duff. Prior to coming to Fiji, she was in Mexico. Have a read of her amazing blogs when you can! Apart from taking care of the animals, she is also helping out with Administration work and helping the shelter spruce up their Facebook page as well with current photos of the animals in need of adoption. Paula took me on a quick tour of the place just like Jillian Klein (USA) did before  you all must know by now how much I adore cats, in fact all furry creatures! And it pains me to see these poor defenceless creatures being treated in such a harsh manner by the public, strangers and owners alike! Sometimes I wish I were a billionaire so I could provide for all the animals. With whatever little we have, we must do our part in taking care of our furry friends. I do not condone animal testing and cruelty as it hurts me to see them in pain. Paula and Jillian are amazing advocates for bridging the gap between us and the animals. What the world needs is stricter laws against animal cruelty and education to raise awareness! Paula and Jillian have big plans for SPCA and are working so so hard to see it to fruition. I am honored to know these hardworking women and hope that everyone pitches in to help wherever they can. Do it for the silent ones who protect your homes and warm your hearts!

Thank you Paula Duff and Jillian Klein! xx