Fiji Family Trip September 2009

[kaivalagi]

It's normal state schooling for the most part, I think they base quite a bit of the curriculum on New Zealand's...English is the first language so English is the taught language

Families do need to find money for fees though which I find disgraceful (primary ~ F$60, secondary ~ F$150 a term) and exercise books, stationary etc...no money no school...

In Levuka there are several schools, the primaries are LPS, Delana (methodist), Marist (catholic), secondary's are LPS, Delana (methodist), St Johns College (Catholic)

My wife's family is poor as are most, but one of my niece's is managing to attend University, she's just finishing her foundation year there using the equivalent of her Mum/Dad's NI contribs to support it , then it's Fiji School Of Medicine I think, she wants to be a doctor...hopefully she'll be getting a bursary for the remainder of her tuition feeds.

 

[seffieuk]

Wouldn't it be pretty cool if we on TFF sponsored a child through school?


Seffie x

 

[kaivalagi]

Wouldn't it be pretty cool if we on TFF sponsored a child through school?
Seffie x

It would indeed, the problem is which child...and more importantly finding someone at the other end to trust with it all.....

I could approach a group of ex-pats there who get together every week and discuss good causes in the area, they can be trusted but I am not sure if they would take it on?
Also I wouldn't want to get things started at that end before we knew things would work out this end...how can we guarantee continuing funds for each year of education?
You can see I have thought about this sort of thing before and the biggest problem is ensuring no corruption and regular support

 

[seffieuk]

Mmmmm, yes I can see what you are saying - it would be difficult to ensure funds for each term as members on here come and go - although, there is a die hard group of members, who might contribute.

And as you say it would be a big responsibility for someone to take on over in Fiji. I wonder if there is a charity working over there already doing this sort of thing which could help?

Seffie x

 

[kaivalagi]

The churches take a place of charities for the most part...but I don't think that approach would be all that fair, they would only help their own congregation with the money I think, if at all

I'll ask the ex-pats if there is an charity/organisation based in Fiji that can be trusted with this, you never know until you ask. One of my best friends there heads up the Gap volunteers (one year volunteers in between Uni years who help teach at the schools) for the region and would know of anything is there was something suitable I am sure

I'll keep you posted


edit: Snippet of email I just send:
"[font="arial][size="2"]The main reason I wanted to email you is because I got into a discussion with a UK teacher on a tropical fish forum recently (I keep cichlids these days, saving marine fish keeping for when I am in Fiji ) and we started talking about raising money somehow to help the most poverty stricken children with their school fees, you know the sort of kids who wouldn't otherwise go to school from up in Baba and around Ovalau in the villages. This then got me thinking about you and Gap as well as the white elephant group
We would like to try and raise money on the forum, but there would be no guarantees of regular support to cover a full time commitment with a students fees so I was wondering if you knew of an organisation which caters for this sort of thing where the money could be passed on, and without any corruption? Failing that I am wondering if the money raised could be put in the white elephant pot for good use in Levuka...I would obviously need to provide regular news on what the money is going towards but it could work. If you could let me know what sort of things money raised has been used for in the past it might help persuade members to contribute, if that's the route we take...
Maybe this idea will fizzle out, or we hit too many hurdles, but I figured it's worth pursuing the idea just in case...we haven't gauged the support side of things yet but I will if the basic idea will work and I can find support on the "other side"
What do you think? Do-able?"[/size][/font]

 

[seffieuk]

Looking good, looking very good

Seffie x

 

[kaivalagi]

He's coming to the UK in a week or so, so I shall be trying to met up with him for a beer or two...