Project Report
| Dec 29, 2012
Cyclone Evan Disaster Recovery
By Sophie Birkett | Charitable Trust Manager
On 17th December 2012, Severe Tropical Cyclone Evan hit the Fijian islands, causing catastrophic damage. Damaging heavy waves, rain and thunderstorms including severe flash flooding hit the Yasawas and Western Division. The Yasawas communities where the GVI Charitable Trust work was severely affected. Winds exceeding 125 mph brought down trees, blocking roads and blowing away homes/roofs with widespread power and water outages. Many have already lost all their belongings. Major flooding is a high concern with powerful swells hitting the coastal communities and more rains to come.
The community of Nacula in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji already has access to only very basic resources with a severe lack of fresh water, power, nutritious food and education. As a result of Cyclone Evan, many of these families will be much worse off. With currently 13,976 evacuees in 242 Evacuation centres, assistance is being provided to underprivileged children through the Care and Protection Program set up through organisations such as the Red cross.
GVI has a close relationship with the Red Cross and regional disaster preparedness operations and GVI Fiji 's Country Director is an elected Executive of Nadi Red Cross. As such, the GVI Charitable Trust has set up a new appeal to help raise funds for the communities we work with in Fiji. If you would like to help, please do have a look at our project page - http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/cyclone-evan-fiji/
Thank you for all your support in 2012 and we look forward to be in touch again in 2013!
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Oct 16, 2012
A Volunteers Account
By Alice Hawkes | GVI Charitable Trust Team
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Today we are lucky enough to have a first hand of the work that goes on in Nacula Village from a Volunteers perspective...
Over the past 2 weeks I have been working in the village of Nacula at their Kindergarten. Kindergarten operates from 9am – 12pm everyday with an average of about 15 children a day, ranging from 2 years to 4year old. During the session we sing songs, practice learning our shapes and colours as well as learning the alphabet and numbers. The children are then involved in free play where they can draw, play with blocks or use flash cards to continue practicing their shapes and colours.
On Wednesday 3rd October I was lucky enough to participate in Nacula Pre-School Day. We invited all the parents and elders from the village, as well as the chief and minister of the Pre-School. The children put on a performance of the songs they had been learning and we displayed their work around the classroom, including photos of the past week’s activities. Miss Julie, the kindergarten teacher gave a speech to the parents on the importance of health and hygiene of their young children. Following the performance the women of the village provided tea and cakes for morning tea. I was privileged enough to be asked to sit with the minister of the pre-school who wanted to know my opinion on pre-school education and improvements that he could make at the Nacula Pre-School.
This volunteering experience in Nacula Pre-School has been eye opening. These children have limited resources however are still so eager to learn and play. I felt so welcomed every day walking into the village with every person saying ‘Bula’ to me and inviting me to any village event that was occurring. The children of Nacula Pre-School are beautiful and while the villagers were grateful to have someone to help teach English I am just as grateful to them for allowing me into their community.
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Sep 19, 2012
Marine and Environmental Awareness
By Alice Hawkes | Charitable Trust Team
Global Vision International (GVI) and Vinaka Fiji’s Marine Research and Conservation Project aims to conduct research that will facilitate long term benefits for the local communities of the Yasawas and help guarantee food security for future generations.
The program is designed to empower communities by providing education and assistance through the facilitation of locally managed marine protected areas (MPAs) whilst also enabling communities to gain official national recognition of these MPAs.
GVI’s Marine and Environmental Awareness, School Education Program aims to teach the key concepts in marine conservation and environmental good practice. The program is currently running in Ratu Meli Memorial School and Nasomolevu Catholic School, alternating weekly. The program is taught with a variety of creative techniques including hands-on, interactive lessons which include such activities as snorkelling trips, drawing, role play, beach cleans, debates, brainstorming and games. The Marine and Environmental Awareness School Education Program hopes to instil a sense of pride in pupils for their marine environment and encourage conservation for future generations to come. Topics covered so far include; threats to the marine environment, destructive fishing gear, mangroves, sharks, plastic pollution, climate change, sea cumbers and turtles.
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