COMMUNITY WORK I Blessings on the trail back to Lavena

A PROMISE made in the aftermath of one of Fiji’s darkest moments is about to come full circle.

Ten years after witnessing the destruction left behind by Tropical Cyclone Winston in Lavena, Taveuni, Warrane College Dean Alex Perrottet is returning, this time not as a journalist documenting tragedy, but leading a group of university students determined to lend a helping hand.

For the students at Warrane College, the upcoming work camp is more than a volunteer project. It is an opportunity to step beyond the classroom, immerse themselves in village life and contribute to improvements that they hope will leave a lasting impact on Lavena Primary School.

For Mr Perrottet however, the journey begins with a promise.

“When I visited Lavena as a journalist straight after Cyclone Winston in 2016, the whole village was ruined,” he recalls.

“At that time, I promised the turaga ni koro I would return one day with a volunteer group. So, 10 years later here we are.”

A promise kept

Mr Perrottet has organised numerous volunteer projects in Fiji over the years including in Ra and the Yasawa Islands, but this will be the college’s first project in Lavena.

He believes community service benefits everyone involved.

“These projects are a win-win,” he said.

“It gives us a great purpose in the college, and it helps everyone to give generously and then we have an amazing cultural immersion in Fiji and can actually make a difference to the school.”

The work planned for Lavena Primary School focuses on practical improvements that will benefit students long after the volunteers have returned home.

“These are projects that the community just wouldn’t get to normally,” he said.

“It means the school students can eat together under a shelter during the school day and also be kept safe and secure within the school grounds.”

Mr Perrottet acknowledged those who helped make the project possible.

“We’re very grateful to head teacher, Luke Naisuludriu for working with us on this project and being so keen to make it happen.

“We also have a number of Warrane and UNSW alumni in Fiji and we’re very grateful to the assistance of Kirit Patel from Motibhai Group, Michael Yee Joy and Ioane Naiveli in Suva and Josefa Wivou in Nadi.

“These are esteemed old boys who are still in contact with Warrane and proud to see Warrane come to Fiji.”

Returning with a different purpose

For social director Will Hadley, the trip carries a different meaning.

The actuarial studies student from Newcastle has visited Fiji five times before, but always as a tourist.

“I have great memories of dancing and drinking with strangers and how easily they made me feel like family,” he said.

“However, I’ve always come as a tourist. This is the first time I get to give something back.”

He said Fiji had left a lasting impression on him through friendships and experiences accumulated over several visits.

“Fiji has meant so much to me over the years. I’ve made great friendships and had some amazing memories.

“The chance to go back and actually contribute to something like this means so much to me. Taveuni is new to me, and I think seeing village life properly will change how I see the country.”

Learning through service

Second-year engineering student Christian de Jersey is equally eager for the experience.

As Warrane’s sports director and a key member of the college’s Oz-tag team, he hopes to spend time with Lavena students and learn Fiji’s style of one-touch rugby.

“I’m also very excited about the opportunity to contribute to the Lavena community and work alongside everyone involved,” he said.

“Hopefully, we can make a positive difference and do a great job.”

The college is also donating new rugby uniforms for the school’s teams, something Christian is particularly looking forward to presenting.

“This experience is going to mean a great deal to us, and we hope it will be meaningful for everyone in Lavena.

“We are coming with open minds, eager to help in any way we can and to learn as much as possible. We look forward to meeting everyone, sharing experiences, and becoming part of the community, even for a short time.”

He hopes the journey will remain with him long after returning home.

“Personally, I hope this experience will broaden my perspective on life and stay with me for many years to come.

“Opportunities to experience a different culture, environment, and way of life are rare and incredibly valuable. I hope spending time in Lavena will give me a deeper appreciation for the community, traditions and everyday life there, and that the memories and lessons from this trip will continue to shape the way I see the world long after I return home.”

Driven by service

Twin brothers Rahul and Rishab Elhence, originally from Singapore and now studying commerce and computer science in Sydney, have played a major role in the fundraising effort.

Rahul said helping others gives him a strong sense of purpose.

“Warrane has a proud tradition of service and I’m just glad to be part of it,” he said.

“We are just university students, but we managed to get fair few funds just by organising activities in the college including raffles and auctions.”

For his brother Rishab, volunteering is not new.

Having previously led a student group supporting underprivileged communities in Kenya while in high school, he sees the Fiji project as another opportunity to serve.

“While the circumstances in Fiji differ, as someone fortunate enough to have excellent opportunities growing up, I am deeply motivated to give back and help provide the students with a better, safer environment,” he said.

Preparing long before departure

Although the group has yet to board the plane, Raphael Kim believes the work camp began months ago.

The Vision Science graduate and residential tutor said preparation has been as important as the trip itself.

“From our very first meeting three months ago, each of us began to grasp the idea of being in ‘full workcamp mode’,” he said.

“The workcamp doesn’t start when we get on the plane to Fiji, it started much earlier.”

Regular meetings, fundraising initiatives and learning about Fijian language and culture have helped transform Lavena from a distant destination into a community the students already feel connected to.

“Photos and videos of the school and surrounding areas helped establish Lavena as a real place, where we could provide physical help and aid, rather than a faraway land.”

Raphael is particularly looking forward to helping construct the school fence.

“Besides being a practical benefit to the locals, I feel that being outdoors will provide a better experience of cultural immersion and more interaction with the locals, who are both helping and passing by.

“While it may be gruelling work, working as a team to achieve something amazing for the school in Lavena will be an awesome experience.”

Working together

Community service coordinator Steven Pine said raising the funds has been one of the biggest challenges.

The college has organised raffles, silent auctions and barbecues to support the project.

“We had our annual Parents Day and raised $AUS1000 ($F1556.91) with a raffle, which was a wonderful result, but it was even more surprising that we raised $2500 in a single night just from the residents with a silent auction,” he said.

“We got our dean to shave his head and other guys did all sorts of stunts so people could bid and pay for it to happen.”

Fundraising has continued right up until departure.

“This week we have a fundraising BBQ on the campus of UNSW and next week we will have one at Bunnings Warehouse, so we are going to be raising money right up until the day we depart.”

Looking beyond the classroom

Student president Dominic Ng has taken part in previous work camps, but says Fiji offers something different.

“I really can’t wait to get there and live with people in the village and learn their ways,” he said.

“In Warrane there are plenty of international students, and some are coming with us to Fiji. So, we already have a diverse group in the College, but this is a chance to live in a totally different way and I am certain we will have much to learn.”

For him, the experience extends beyond the physical work awaiting the group in Lavena.

“I’ll be keeping an open mind, and I am sure all of us will take back some important life lessons from this adventure.”

As the students prepare to travel to Taveuni, they are bringing more than tools, fundraising proceeds and rugby jerseys.

They are carrying curiosity, a willingness to serve and, in the case of their dean, a promise made a decade ago that is finally being honoured.

The group has also set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds to support their efforts. Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/263aaf44f