One Time In Fiji

I did a health internship in Dawasamu, Fiji for ten weeks. The ten weeks went in a flash and I couldn't believe I was suddenly standing under the village mango tree, listening to the farewell song instead of badly singing it!

I had a blast living in Silana, working on health projects and with the community team, hanging out with other volunteers, and getting to know the locals. Part of my internship was helping develop and present materials for health promotion in Dawasamu District. I was lucky enough to have the District Nurse as the person approving my materials and I loved working with her. Not many people can say they taught adults to sing Row Row Row Your Boat so that they could do CPR at the right speed. I also got to work with the rest of the community team on some building and community events.

Living on a base in the village you work with is pretty special. You make friends with the other volunteers, end up singing and dancing badly in the kitchen while baking cakes, and you get to become part of the village. My Fijian family is pretty big, spans three generations and quite a few houses, I have sisters my age, nieces and nephews under five who are hysterical, a mum, a dad, a lot of aunties and cousins. There's always someone there for in you Fiji, even when all you need is a cup of tea. I also learnt to weave, which was a lot of fun and I was always excited for Wednesdays to come so we could get to weaving class.

I would absolutely go back in a heartbeat because leaving was so hard. I didn't realise just how special that litttle village, nursing station, and project base had become to me, or how important the people were to me. Seriously, what more do you need to hear, check it out.