working in Fiji

There are many ways to describe my volunteer experience... now I can use the all encompassing words: 'civil servant.' I never thought of myself and my volunteer position as this until a celebration was held in honor of the work I'm involved with.

I received a call early in the morning insisting that I wear a specific shirt from one of the programs we had run out of the HUB Center (the reproductive health clinic where I am based). I followed my instructions and went to work sporting a bright blue shirt tagged with the Ministry of Health logo.

It was CIVIL SERVANT's DAY! People were huffing and puffing with excitement; there was a band, booths were set up for each sector, everyone was all dressed up. And as people queued up for the parade I realized that- sure, I don't mind being described as 'not deficient in common courtesy' (dictionary.com's definition for 'civil') and 'a person employed by the government' (dictionary.com's definition for 'servant'). In fact, when I write my description of service, I might just begin with 'In Fiji, I was a civil servant.'


Proudly marching through the streets of Lautoka

door to door

MDA (mass drug administration) is an easy enough concept to grasp- reach out to the community by going door to door and locating yourself in a central location, outside a the normal clinical setting, where people can reach the needed 'drug.' These programs are often difficult to carry out, but in a country of under a million, it's totally feasible.

For this program we were trying to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis. The MDA was successfully eradicated the worm in Tonga, but has yet to be successful in Fiji. So this year, again, we packed our bags with mild de-worming drugs and went door to door passing out the tablets provided by WHO.

Lymphatic Filariasis (more commonly known as Elephantitis) is caused by a filarial worm carried by mosquitoes. The worm, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi, lodges itself into the lymphatic system - which is why it generally presents inflammation in the genital area. The growth that people are most familiar with takes years to manifest, which is why it is important to continue taking de-worming drugs annually until the worm is fully eradicated, and also why we went door to door passing out these drugs.

People were generally receptive and took the tablets. Those who were not, were shown pictures of people living in Fiji who were unfortunate enough to be affected. This method was quite useful.



Staff Nurse Kesa- who took my on as her volunteer for the program.

Nurses and volunteers getting ready to leave

breaking barriers, not rules

Recently, we developed a program that addresses gender and health issues at the local correctional facility- Natabua Prison.

Together with a counselling organization in town, we came up with this program which we called The Peer Support Network for Health and Well-being in Natabua Prison. We chose 2 people from each living block amounting to about 14 people in total. Over a two week period the training covered communication skills and reproductive health and other general health information.

The program finished after four sessions. Unfortunately the project was by design sustainable, but in practice, well, not. At this medium security prison the inmates generally stay for 10-18 months. In other words, those who were trained to be 'peer educators' to their fellow inmates will be leaving in the near future.

Although the program will slowly fall apart, I did see an advertisement in the paper printed by Natabua prison looking for a health educator. They DO see the need! If nothing else, the prison was able to see the importance of these topics being addressed within their facility.




The 'gang'


Working on communication skills- Ratu from Pacific Counseling and Social Services.

The face of HIV

It's all about ambassadors these days.

A new NGO has come to Fiji- Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation (PIAF). Their regional office is strategically placed in Lauotka. Their function is to raise awareness in the community by sharing their stories as people living with HIV. Their program has been the most effective one I've seen for HIV education in rural areas.

Essentially what they do is start off with an interactive training. A man named Temo, who is both a trained peer-educator as well as a ex-Red Cross trainer, gets up and involves all participants in a game to better understand the spread of HIV. He walks the participants through the steps of transmission, emphasizing the importance of testing and safe sex.

After the training, everyone settles down and listens to stories to "put a face to HIV." When the stories begin the crowd falls silent as the heart wrenching tales resonate through the room. Never have you seen such intent listeners as the audience faces turn to sorrow. The room is silent, the people leaning slightly forward hanging on to every word as these AIDS ambassadors talk about going through watching children die to the difficulties in confronting their families.

These outreach programs range from going to villages to army barracks to fire stations. The 'face of HIV' is changing peoples perception and truly educating people on the gravity of the virus.

The change in perception is evident. I remember going to the army barracks and having someone ask something along the lines of- "well, why doesn't the government just give all the infected people injections so that they cant transmit it anymore." After the program, the same man came up and profusely apologized, saying that he had never met anyone with HIV and had no idea that they were 'normal' people. It's incredible to see the transformation.

Outside of these programs, the AIDS ambassadors are involved in many activities relating to HIV education. Below I have added photos from a outreach program at a rugby match (this is just to show their involvement outside their own programs), a school program and the military barracks visit.





A booth at the rugby game- passing out educational materials.



Explaining how the questionnaires work

Outreach team. Also photographed are Champions (professional athletes from Fiji who volunteer to promote HIV education)

The program at the military Barracks

A program at a secondary school in Ba.

Disclaimer- not all of the people photographed are AIDS ambassadors. The ambassadors I have added are only the ones who have come out publicly in the media.

The new year

The 21 of May 2009, represents my one year mark as a volunteer in Fiji. A time like this is often overlooked in the midst of projects and daily obligations. But, much like New Years, I see this day as something to celebrate- a day to reflect on the past year, and how I can improve in the year to come.

So many thoughts come to mind on how to celebrate the amazing exposure my work and situation have offered. But perhaps the best way to do this is to recap some incredible, noteworthy, moments;

· The pleasure of living three months in a village with Viliame, Tavenisa, and Lo.

· My site- working in a reproductive health clinic in Lautoka (the best place to live in Fiji- but then again, I’m biased)

· Living with and getting to know my amazingly accommodating roommate Nagisa- a very close friendship that will surely continue beyond this experience

· Carrying out a nightclub condom distribution program in the major clubs in Suva (the largest city in the South Pacific)

· Working on a large scale donation to provide medical equipment to the hospitals and health centers in the western division

· Having the opportunity to travel for two weeks on a government boat around the Yasawa islands, stopping at every health center, nursing station, and village, to provide rural, outpatient services.

There are so many other noteworthy experiences, but the chronological list I have provided stands out as having been unique to my volunteer experience. Not included are the moments that have taken my breath away- a sunset here, a shared meal there… the small pleasures afforded on a daily basis that have made me so fond of this country and my particular circumstance.

There, of course, has been the odd occasion where I have been robbed, forced to move houses, or been treated with disrespect because of my age. And, to overlook these things would be foolish and give a misleading perception of my situation- but, these experiences are what have made the last year “real,” has given me perspective, and have served as lessons that I may not have learned otherwise.

So the year is over and a new one will start. The new class of volunteers has arrived- launching a journey that they will make their own. As for me, I will be celebrating both their entrance into the country, and the beginning of my second year.

A family visit

My mother, brother, grandfather and uncle Bobs came to visit. While they were here, we were able to snorkel, scuba dive, travel to far off (well sort of) islands, go white water rafting, and visit the Fiji Museum.

BULA! from Fiji.

At 91, he is the oldest person to tackle the rapids of the Upper Navua river... and here's what he has to show for it, complete with a satisfied grin :o)

Out at sea

Carlito (I am now on nick name basis with Carlos Castaneda by merely reading his book) wrote that "in fact, the reality of the world we know is so taken for granted... that our reality is merely one of many descriptions." In that case, I concede to the fact that my relationship with the English language and therefore my descriptions, often prevent me from portraying my true reality.. whatever that is... And since I am giving you insight into my reality I have chosen to add a few photos (along with short descriptions) and simply state that... I traveled with work for two weeks on a boat through the most beautiful islands of Fiji- the Yasawas, there was a dental, school and outpatient team, we visited two villages a day, there was a lot of fishing....


Despite quoting Carlito, no drugs were involved - though I will say that there were many times when my reality did feel like a dream. I have decided that there are two kinds of people- those who can tell grand stories about their experiences and those who can't. I'm the latter. Here are some photos...




My living situation for 2 weeks

Where we slept

Where we ate

Afternoon refreshments- yummm, coconuts. Everyone likes the water, but few like the flesh, which works out well because the flesh is my favorite part.

The medical boat. The engine hasn't worked in over a year. Quite decorative... not?

Inside a very well stocked nursing station

Unloading on Yasawa-i-rara (the top most inhabited island)- also called 8 month island. They say that if you get the sand from here in your hair, it'll take 8 months to get out. I don't know about all that, but I will say that walking on it was like walking on an inch or so of powdery snow.

Swimming in the open sea

delivering a much needed water tank to a health center. Water supply is scarce on most of the islands- and hygeine is the biggest public health issue in the villages and schools.

Out-patient mobile pharmacy

Pap smear team- Auntie Vani is wearing a head lamp upon my suggestion, unfortunately that meant that she no longer needed me to hold the flashlight during pap smears... I lost my job to better technology.

School team.

Dental education

Toilets by class

MMR and TT vaccinations

Class 1 teacher leading students to the community health school team

Looking out to Waya island- you don't see that everyday

Farewel Viwa

Girls collecting sea weed. You know... typical after school duties.

The ladies- the head sister and two dental therapists

Last night, the i-tatau, departing ceremony

Baby powder and a garland- in true fiji fashion.