In 1996, a group of 45 students from the University of the South Pacific gave up their semester break for a different kind of holiday. One spent serving the community of Koro Island.
According to a story published in The Fiji Times on August 7 that year, the group travelled to Koro in Lomaiviti to carry out much-needed community work.
Filimoni Gucake, the group’s spokesperson at the time, said it was the first occasion the university had assigned a volunteer group to Koro.
He described the project as a great success for both the students and the island community.
The 45 students came from across the region and Fiji.
“We had students from Tonga, Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and local students taking part in volunteer work which was desperately needed on the island,” Mr Gucake said.
The students were based at Koro High School in Nasau, where they spent their two-week stay working alongside villagers.
The multiracial group left a strong impression on the people of Koro.
Mr Gucake said the experience demonstrated the importance of people from different backgrounds working together towards a common goal.
Through the volunteer programme, islanders also became more aware of the importance of education and the need for children and villagers to strive for excellence.
The students’ work included painting the Koro High School building and Nasau District School.
For some of the volunteers, the trip also provided their first opportunity to step into a classroom as teachers.
“Some students also got their first teaching experience at the two schools.”
The islanders made sure the visitors experienced the warmth and hospitality of village life.
During their two weeks on Koro, each of the island’s 14 villages was given a day to provide meals and take care of the students’ needs.
The partnership between the volunteers and the people of Koro also helped the group complete its assigned work ahead of schedule.
At the conclusion of the project, the chairman of the Tikina Mudu Council, the chairman of Koro High School and the people of Koro expressed their appreciation to the students.
