Latest News
24 Year 11 and 12 students and three teachers from St Clare’s College set off to the tropical islands of Fiji. Not for a relaxing week, but to give their time, and help build better futures for those in need. The group travelled to Fiji as part a program run by Rustic Pathways. Rustic Pathways supports communities by implementing locally-driven, sustainable solutions to their development challenges. They rely on groups such as the St Clare’s students to help implement their work.
One of the activities the students took part in was the rebuilding of a woman’s house, Taru. Her house burnt down last year, her husband left her and along with her three children they are living in a small tin shed with the only source of income coming from her eldest son.
During the week it was the students’ job to build the foundations for a new house for Taru and her family. This involved hand mixing concrete for the floor, as well as the base of the exterior, laying concrete bricks to begin the walls and compressing the soil underneath the house in order to strengthen the floor. At the end of the week, with the completion of the foundations, the house is due to be finished before Christmas just five months after building commenced. Taru showed her immense gratitude by saying that the students would always be welcome in her home. They know the little part they played will make a huge difference to Taru and her children’s lives.
Each group of eight students and one teacher also had the responsibility of planning and implementing an art lesson for primary school students. The groups went to two composite classes at different schools: Years 1 & 2 and Years 3 & 4. The students noticed a lot of differences between schools in Fiji and in Australia. Fijian students are expected to do chores before school and after lunch. During the time with each class, there was never a silent moment, nor one student sitting still. The groups used art activities such as paper chains and butterfly paintings to entertain the children and teach them new skills.
The students also had the opportunity to go through the process of serving dinner to women and children living in shelters such as HART House and Loloma House. They started by planting and watering seedlings in the field, then planned a meal and went to the markets to gather all the ingredients. This was a true experience of Fijian life! The students provided the mothers and children with company, shared in prayers, songs and dancing, before serving them their meal.
During the week the groups also worked in Bavu Village where they helped with projects to improve the sanitation throughout the village. The students constructed footpaths which joined every house to ensure that when it rains they are able to walk around and stay clean. They also helped to paint houses and made lids for septic tanks around the village. The students were warmly welcomed into the village and they had the opportunity to speak to local villagers and play with the children who were overwhelmed with the progress they had made.
The students engaged in a number of other service projects and activities. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes required a short hike and a walk along the beach to collect rubbish or to transplant seedlings. The Sabeto Mud pools provided them with a chance to see the natural resources Fiji has to offer. Kayaking got the students out onto the ocean, where they learnt about the mangrove systems. Each night they participated in different cultural activities such as dancing, Fijian lessons, Kava ceremonies and learnt how to use a coconut to its full potential. These experience offered a new perspective and gave them a chance to fully immerse themselves in Fijian culture.
The students found the trip life changing, it gave them a different perspective on life and they learnt a lot about themselves and how small actions can contribute to make a big difference in people’s lives.
