An Overseas Volunteer Experience: Public Health and Nutrition Project in Fiji
Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to experience a life-affirming and eye-opening journey to Fiji. The public health and nutrition volunteering project lasted two weeks and was through Involvement Volunteering International. I was in my 4th and final year of my health science and naturopathy degree and stepping away from the stress and pressure of studying full-time allowed me to rekindle my passion for helping others through nutrition and natural medicine.
I have always wanted to experience volunteering overseas and as a first-year student I attended a webinar focused on the opportunities available to natural health students and became determined to make this volunteering goal a reality. However, for the next two years the pandemic limited my options as we could not travel overseas and most programs were no longer available. In my case, this paid off as I think being a senior student was incredibly valuable as a volunteer and I found myself equipped with enough skills to make a difference.
I made the leap to join in the experience around Feb 2023. I was extremely anxious in anticipation not knowing what to expect or if it would even be worth it. I was extremely grateful to receive many donations from family and friends to fund the trip; volunteering overseas does come at a high price but people are always willing to support a good cause.
When I arrived I was seriously skeptical about the prospect of actually helping people. At the airport I was met by Masi, the Fijian project manager who organises the volunteers, provides accommodation at his and his wife Mere’s home and has worked for over 20 years dedicated to the local communities and creating volunteer opportunities. Masi told us in the car about the public health concerns, how preventable diseases were rising and how much of a difference he had seen the Public Health and Nutrition project make in the local communities. My anxiety slipped away and I became excited about the following two weeks.
“My anxiety slipped away and I became excited about the following two weeks.”
My days were filled with meaningful work alongside other dedicated volunteers; a nurse, a physiotherapist and an experienced naturopath as our coordinator (who I figured out had been the host of the webinar I attended back in 2020). Together, we conducted educational workshops on the importance of balanced nutrition and provided basic health checks for blood pressure, blood sugar and anthropometric measurements. We connected with local community members and learnt about their culture, struggles with preventable diseases and lack of healthcare services.
One of the most impactful moments was witnessing the genuine eagerness of the Fijian people to learn and embrace change. Their resilience and openness inspired me every step of the way. The most beneficial part of the experience was my perspective change. It reminded me of the interconnectedness of health, environment, and culture. In Fiji, traditional wisdom intertwines seamlessly with their modern lifestyle.
My volunteer experience in Fiji reaffirmed my belief in the transformative power of compassion, collaboration, and commitment. It strengthened my confidence in how nutrition changes, whether big or small, can transform lives and communities. It reminded me how accessible natural medicine is to Indigenous communities who hold a wealth of knowledge and can teach us so much about sustainable wellness. It is an experience I will never forget and I am eager for the next opportunity of returning to Fiji.
Find out more here:
https://www.volunteering.org.au/about/who-we-are/
https://www.volunteering.org.au/public-health-nutrition-programs/
