University of Manchester Student, Becky Whaling: Joining a Fijian family and supporting primary school education.
Chemistry student, Becky Whaling, has just returned from a 1-month long student volunteer project in the jungle highlands of Fiji.
Like many students, Becky was wondering how she could make the most of her university summer. With a passion for adventure and a thirst to make a difference, Think Pacific seemed to tick all the boxes.
After attending a presentation at the University of Manchester, Becky decided that Fiji would be the destination to spend her summer.
“I wasn’t expecting to truly feel like my surrogate family was my own and care for them so much after knowing them simply a few days”
There are many things I naively believed I was prepared for before coming to the village. Apart from buying the entire pharmaceutical aisle of Superdrug and packing a medical kit to cater for an army, I realise now that there really isn’t much you can do to prepare.
Most of all, I wasn’t expecting to truly feel like my surrogate family was my own and care for them so much after knowing them simply a few days. I have the sister I always wanted and several more brothers who I would happily exchange for the one I have in England. I am 100% wrapped around my little 3 year old brothers finger and everyday look forward to coming home to his cheeky smile which melts my heart.
To say the Fijian people are friendly is an understatement. Their philosophy of ‘an open door is an open heart’ makes me feel extremely welcome in the whole village, not just in my new house, ‘buna tongo tongo’. I am now lucky enough to be part of one of the biggest, kindest families to exist. The enthusiastic chorus of ‘Bula Becky’ sung from every house I pass, brightens my morning and I am continually having to politely refuse invitations for breakfast and lunch as I’ve already eaten enough ‘Gobi’, ‘Roti’, ‘Pipelets’ and ‘Kassava’, typical Fijian delicacies, to keep me going for a year.
The main purpose of this expedition is to improve the Maths and English of the young children here. It is definitely a huge and challenging task, not to be underestimated. However, despite only having spent 2 days in Nambaka Primary School, I already feel like I have made an impact. I have come to appreciate the importance of introducing small and lasting changes, such as 45 minutes of sport, into the curriculum and feel myself smiling as I watch the kids having an absolute blast whilst running riot and admire their team spirit. To see the shyest of children standing tall and proudly projecting their ‘public speaking’ speeches for their houses, whist others embrace their creative flair during House Cup arts and crafts, makes the whole expedition worthwhile.
