Fiji Calling….

Fiji calling .....Volunteering across the pacific 21st of Jan - 4 Feb

Last year my beautiful friend Jess travelled to Fiji to volunteer in a Womans and Childrens Commune just after finishing her Naturopathy degree. We were chatting over dinner about her eye opening experience and discussing the next group of incredible health professionals that would be making the short trip across the Pacific at the end of January, these include: two nurses, two physio's, a naturopath and a dietician. Which lead me to thinking about my remaining two months of Uni holidays.....

After recently having heart surgery and like anyone that has had to be off your feet for any length of time, the incredible sense of uselessness and a great need to be anywhere other than where you are sets in. I had a great feeling to be somewhere that any skills I have, new and old might would be of use. Being on the mend recovering and being cleared to fly... well naturally me being me and with an inability to be in one place any length of time, I instantly asked if they might be looking for an extra pair of hands, in the form of artist, printmaker and student midwife...

Responding within hours of Jess's email to our delight they were thrilled to bring me on board. Which I was so over the moon by, then the reality set in of how soon I would be leaving....

While I have been able to sponsor my own travel and accommodation costs, there are great needs of the community and I would love to raise some funds whether small or large to purchase some much needed resources to take with me and leave with the community.

Here is a list made by Jess after her return on the types of resources most needed for the community:

First aid kits

Skin care- antibacterial soap. Antiseptic cream.

Lice treatment

Antifungal treatments- ring worm especially

Bedding

Stationary for the kids

Colouring books

Toys

School bags

Shoes

Sporting equipment for the kids- they have nothing to do when school isn’t on and get bored easily with results in trouble..

After school care program ?

A library- new classroom is being built soon after several years of fundraising so supplies for this are needed as well. Books so big one- so the children can practice reading at home.

Books for the adults as well. Lots of women stuck at home all day

Automatic BP machines- that can be easily operated by residents. 80% of the people I saw had high BP that wasn’t being monitored. So, having a few so that the residents could monitor their own would be massive/.

Of particular interest to me will be what I can provide for women particularly in maternal healthcare once I get there!

I am so excited to be adventuring on this wonderful placement in yet another unknown and I would be so thrilled with any resources and supplies we might be able to bring along from fundraising with wonderful friends family and the wider.

I've attached a little reflection from Jess's time in Fiji and the current needs of the community.

https://www.volunteering.org.au/ivi-reviews/woman-..

I appreciate anything you can offer, even if it's just a read and awareness of the trip!

Thanks for reading and I hope to keep you all updated with the adventure across the pacific.

many thanks in advance

And lots of love...Cass xx