Education and Public Health and Safety In Fiji

Well here we are, almost the end of another year!  There's been a lot happening on our project in the last few months and we'd like to share some of our highlights.

• First Aid sessions: The Health Team delivered a workshop to local primary school students on wound care, first aid, and how to handle choking in children & adults developing vital skills and increasing confidence in these individuals.

• Pesticide education: Our intern is continuing work on research and education around pesticides with an emphasis on educationg communities on the issues of using pesticides. 

• Workshops for Mothers: Our Education team conducted their presentation and workshop on Early Childhood Development to the mothers and children village of Natadradave. 

• Marine Conservation Club:  Our Education and Marine volunteers and interns joined forces to teach the Marine Conservation Club at Navunisea District School. We facilitated sessions where students learned about phytoplankton and zooplankton through educational videos, a quiz, and a coloring activity!

• Rainwater harvesting: Our Community Team interns, volunteers, and community scholars worked hard building the base of a rain water harvesting system for Nataleira Village Community Hall!  This rain water collection system will provide the people of Nataleira with greater access to clean drinking water!

• Recycling points: Over time, GVI has worked with local teams to set up 42 recycling points in Dawasamu district, helping villages to sort their trash and take it to the recycling center in Suva. 

• Reef Surveys :We assess the health of coral reefs by surveying coral structures, benthic life, invertebrates, and fish species. Healthy reefs are vital as they provide habitat for marine life and protect coastal areas from erosion. Monitoring these categories helps us track changes and identify any threats to the reef’s ecosystem.

• Beach Litter Surveys: While cleaning the beach, we meticulously record the types of litter we find. This helps us understand pollution patterns, identify the sources of marine debris, and work towards reducing the waste that harms marine life. Every piece of data collected informs strategies to protect our oceans.

•  Intertidal Surveys: The intertidal zone is teeming with life, and through our surveys, we identify the unique species that thrive in this challenging environment. These creatures are crucial for the balance of marine ecosystems, and our research helps track their populations and the health of this important zone.

• Dolphin Surveys: We observe the resident spinner dolphin pod at Moon Reef to better understand their behavior and patterns. Dolphins are indicators of marine health, and by studying them, we contribute to global efforts in marine mammal conservation.

Education and awareness are fundamental to improving health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Your generous support empowers us to develop vital resources that enhance health and safety in the community, benefiting both children and adults as well as the environment.

We are looking forward to 2025 when we will continue and expand our work.

We are excited to share more updates in our next report and thank you for your continued commitment to our mission. Your support is truly making a difference.