By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager
Dear Supporter,
We are so pleased to share Ana's story with you. She is our first National Scholar in Fiji. We asked her to tell us about her time on base with GVI, and she described it as an 'experience of a lifetime'. Here is her story!
"The GVI National Scholarship Programme provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime that will be embedded in my memory forever. I had no idea of GVI whatsoever but came to know of it later when I met Elizabeth at a Turtle Conservation Workshop and then Dr. Susanna Piovano offering me an opportunity to join volunteers on a tiny island somewhere in the Lomaiviti Group.
I received the message on the hilltop of Makogai Island trying to get phone reception and jumped of joy when I learnt that I was going to learn how to dive, survey, volunteer amongst other things with a group of volunteers from all over the globe. The excitement was overwhelming and I was quite fortunate to be the first local included in the programme."
Learning
I learnt diving and earned my open water and advanced open water qualifications together with other learners on the programme. We also learnt how to survey reefs while I also completed my Emergency First Response with the help of Jay. We had formed a close-knit bond during our two months together on the island and I am glad I have made good friends. Not only were we taught how to dive but since it was a Marine Conservation Base, we also had to learn invertebrates, fish and benthics that are found on the reef. These lessons definitely enhanced my knowledge of invertebrate identification.
Apart from academic and diving, volunteering in schools was a huge aspect of my experience there. We went to the local schools on Moturiki island and took 2 hours classes with the students teaching them subjects of concern such as healthy living, oral health, cleanliness and many more.
Fun Memories
Fun dives were awesome and meeting turtles and white tip sharks were amazing. Seeing the humpback whale was breath-taking. The island games and the volleyball sessions were epic but most of all, sitting around the tanoa at the end of the day and chilling with friends who I have come to call family.
These opportunities are possible only with your generous donations- we thank you!
With Gratitude,
GVI Charitable Trust
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