VOLUNTEERS do not necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.
For 31-year-old Anya Marchenko, a Ukrainian native now based in Suva, that heart has led her across ocean borders in the name of peace-building and community development.
Now serving as the Fiji branch manager for Global Branch 11 under South Korea-based NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), Marchenko says her journey into humanitarian work began long before arriving in Fiji earlier this year.
Following her parents, Marchenko left Ukraine in 2012 for South Korea where she later graduated from Korea University with a degree in politics and international studies.
That academic path, she said, was driven by a lifelong interest in creating positive change.
“I’ve always wanted to work with an NGO,” she said.
“And I’ve always pursued peace in every way I could because I believe it’s something people can’t buy, it’s something they must build together.”
Her volunteer journey with HWPL began after attending a festival in Seoul.
Inspired by the passion of other volunteers, she joined HWPL and gradually rose through various departments, eventually focusing on interfaith dialogue and peace advocacy.
In 2025, she was appointed manager of HWPL’s operations in Fiji, under Global Branch 11, which also oversees activities in parts of the Pacific, Malaysia, China and Canada.
“I was first transferred here to Fiji on February 2 this year and I was very thrilled to come here. I’ve never been to Fiji before, so this was something I was looking forward to.
“I had a very good impression, honestly speaking.
“Fiji seemed like a very harmonious country from the start. I could see that it’s very peaceful here, and the people are very nice.
“You understand that from the very beginning.”
Since then Marchenko has coordinated multiple initiatives focused on youth engagement, education and peace awareness.
She has also overseen online training programs that have empowered new peace educators and youth leaders across the region.
“Our very first activity here was a simple youth beach clean-up in Pacific Harbour. It was short but meaningful and that gave us the momentum we needed.”
Marchenko said all of her work was voluntary and driven by a deep sense of purpose.
“This work brings me a kind of fulfillment that money can’t buy.
“It’s about leaving a legacy. If you can say you were part of something that helped stop conflict or empowered people to live differently—that’s powerful.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to see Fiji emerge as a model for peacebuilding in the Pacific, especially through youth leadership and community action.
“My dream is for Fiji to become a peace ambassador to the world, where empowered young people lead the way in shaping better perspectives and stronger communities.”
Her advice to others is simple: volunteer at least once in your life.
“It changes your mindset completely.
“When you focus on helping others and your community, everything else starts to make more sense.”
