Changing the Culture of Violence in Fiji

Over the past three months, Virtues Project Fiji has made strides in addressing drug abuse, poverty, and despair in Fiji’s indigenous communities. These efforts focus on empowering families and community members, and fostering connections through Virtues Project training collaborations.

Impact of Peer Educators: Youth Peer Educators have been instrumental in reaching families across rural areas, having connected with nearly 100 individuals in just the past month. They begin with a Virtues Pick and use The Five Strategies of the Virtues Project to help family members deal with challenges such as substance abuse and communication breakdowns. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many youths expressing interest in becoming Peer Educators.  While some families remain cautious and peer pressure to engage in negative behaviors persists, these Peer Educators continue to make significant inroads in spreading the Five Strategies of The Virtues Project.

Tackling Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Drug and alcohol abuse, often linked to urban areas, is prevalent in Fiji's rural regions due to financial stress and limited resources. Children often abuse drugs and / or sell drugs to support their families, and there are no addiction rehabilitation centers available. In November, Virtues Facilitators partnered with the Fiji Police Outreach Team to meet with over 300 community members in Raiwai. The sessions emphasized collaborative efforts between parents and law enforcement to combat substance abuse, encouraging quality family time and explaining how to Set Clear Boundaries, the third strategy of The Virtues Project..

Strengthening Families: Economic pressures and external commitments leave many families stretched thin, with parents spending less time with their children and children becoming emotionally detached from their family. More Virtues Project Workshops to learn the Five Strategies, and training of more Virtues Project Facilitators are needed in order to help rebuild these connections through widespread The Virtues Project Parenting Education. Virtues Project Fiji is a critical resource collaborating with police, health departments, and counseling services to provide support to families in need.

Resettling Rural Youth: A new police-led initiative encourages rural youth who have moved to Suva to return to their communities. Participants attend a three-day Introduction to The Virtues Project, receiving Virtues Cards and The Virtues Project Family Guide. Upon returning home, these youths will undergo evaluations to assess the program’s impact and determine its sustainability.

Through all of these efforts, The Virtues Project is fostering hope and resilience in Fiji, working to address systemic challenges, and to empower a grassroots effort to strengthen the foundations of our communities.  We thank you for your continued financial support for our training, travel and materials.