NEWS FROM VINAKA FIJI VOLUNTOURISM PROGRAM

Vinaka Fiji is a charitable trust set up by Awesome Adventures Fiji that aims to provide improved basic amenities currently missing from village life in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji. Through fundraising and volunteering programs, Vinaka Fiji is improving the lives of 27 remote communities, bringing standards up from third world and giving something back to the villagers to say thank you (Vinaka) for welcoming us into your islands. The Trust works directly with the Yasawa Island communities so that the villagers are active in determining their own needs, participate in the planning and implementation and share responsibility for the completion of projects embarked upon.

Great things have been achieved by our many generous and dedicated volunteers throughout 2014, including:

• Establishment of a community library and organic poultry farm at Muaira village, Naviti Island;
• Sponsorship of the first ever 'Dux' trophy at Yasawa High School;
• Significant improvement of students' reading skills via the reading recovery program;
• Establishment of an organic vegetable farm at Kese Village, Naviti Island which doubles as an income generating opportunity for the villagers;
• Discovery and connection to a new water source to service Kese and Muaira Villages on Naviti Island;
• Removal of over 3,300 crown of thorn starfish from the reef environment;
• Establishment of 2 reproductive pens within the marine park to rejuvenate the sea cucumber population, and continued management of the giant clam nursery - with the gigas clams growing an average 80mm over the year!;
• Mapping of previously un-charted reef areas;
• Re-planting of over 1,000 coral fragments.

HOW CAN PEOPLE GET INVOLVED?

Vinaka Fiji welcomes volunteers from across the globe, who can offer their time to work on one of three programs for a week, several weeks or several months - the choice is theirs! Vinaka Fiji operates an Education program (working one on one and with groups of children to assist with learning difficulties, in particular reading English); Sustainable Communities program (working within remote island villages to help establish the basics such as a clean and sustainable water supply); and a Marine Conservation program (open to all volunteers but especially suited to keen scuba divers and snorkellers as much time is spent completing hands-on tasks to protect the marine environment).

The difference with volunteering through Vinaka Fiji than other similar programs around the world is that the Vinaka Fiji base camp is Barefoot Manta resort. Each afternoon after volunteers get home from 'work' they can snorkel on spectacular coral reefs, laze on the beach and enjoy the resort facilities. On their weekends they can snorkel with Mantarays, hike to beautiful lookouts, and enjoy being a tourist. It is a true 'voluntourism' experience!

More information: www.vinakafiji.org.fj