Fiji Global Health Internship (short term)
Public health support is a major benefit to any local community, as an Intern you will take your first steps towards your career in healthcare and making a lasting contribution. This program aims to enrich the Dawasamu community through initiatives encouraging a healthier way of living. GVI’s programs in the region aim to promote health and all-round wellbeing in these communities. Dawasamu public health volunteers work closely with local community health workers.


Program Focus
The core focuses of our sustainable development project in Fiji include income generation, sustainable agriculture, health awareness, education enrichment, water conservation, sanitation and waste management, environmental management and protection. Promoting the importance of preventive health measures. Developing workshops for adults on topics of interest including IT skills and monitoring skills. Contribute to general community education initiatives. Get involved with education and capacity training with the locals. Develop workshops for the promotion of the sustainability of the community.
There are also monthly visits between GVI Public Health Volunteers and the District Nurse to assess the success of the work being done. Volunteers may also utilise official government health materials and resources to create interactive workshops in collaboration with recognised local authorities. Furthermore, volunteers assist by creating supporting resources, and conducting supplementary research to assist the district nurse to collate information about individual villages, particularly with a focus to assist in diagnosis of problem areas, and monitoring recurring ailments.

Location
Interns will be based on the main island of Viti Levu in the district of Dawasamu. Living and working in these villages gives volunteers the opportunity to learn about the traditional culture of Fiji first-hand. Upon arrival, many volunteers are invited into the community with a traditional welcoming ceremony. If they are of age, this might include attending a kava ceremony. Kava is a drink prepared in a special ceremonial bowl in front of the local community leaders. It forms a key part of the traditional culture of Fiji. Depending on when you choose to volunteer in Fiji, you might also be able to attend a meke, a traditional dancing ceremony. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to join mat weaving classes led by local women. Throughout their stay, volunteers will be able to sample fresh coconut water and traditional Fijian dishes such as topoi, a type of sweet dumpling flavoured with coconut. 

GVI’s community development volunteering base in Fiji is located close to Moon Reef, a site known for its vibrant colours and resident population of spinner dolphins. If you would like to visit the reef, be sure to choose a responsible tour organisation so as not to disturb the marine life or dolphins. Alternatively, if you’d like to experience the landscape of Viti Levu, you can always go for a challenging hike up Tova Peak.

Program Highlights

• Conduct your own research project, on topics such as medical treatment and how the communities health is affected by access to water
• Promoting the importance of a healthy eating through better understanding of nutrition and the benefits of a balanced diet..
• Collaborating with the community in order to grow opportunities within the local public health sector.
• Promoting the importance of controlling the disposal of non-recyclable waste.
• Promoting the importance of preventive health measures.
• Collaborate with the community in order to grow opportunities within the local healthcare sector whilst earning the intercultural communication skills necessary to succeed in the field of global health.

If applying for this program to obtain credit from an institution, GVI can supply learning outcomes and support in the application. 

For more information, check out our video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slypBqTuKWg