Fiji Service Project

            I will never forget the people I met during my time in Fiji. They were some of the kindest, and warm-hearted people I have had the pleasure of meeting. During the Sevu Sevu ceremony, Tae and I played with a few of the children from the village. It started out with a game of peek-a-boo and making silly faces. Then more and more children joined and before we knew it there was about twenty of them wanting to join in all of the fun. We ended the night with a game of duck duck goose, and the children told us how excited they were to see us at school the next day. We left that night with such an adrenaline rush from all the fun we had.

            Early the next morning we arrived at the school, and I was more than eager to see all of the children. Before that would happen, we were tasked with painting the roofs of the school. This put me slightly on edge because I have a horrible fear of heights. I remember shaking as I wearily climbed up the ladder on to the creaky roof. Although once I started painting, it became sort of therapeutic. All I could think about was when the kids would be out for recess, and it gave me something to look forward to.

            The kids were finally all outside, and this coincided with our break time. As soon as I came down the ladder, I was greeted with hugs from a few of the children from the night before. I was shocked that they even remembered who I was, and it was one of the most rewarding feelings. After our little reunion, we quickly joined the huge game of freeze tag that was manifesting on the field. Recess came to an end in the flash of an eye, and I returned to the top of the roof to finish painting. All of us were working quickly, so we could finish up and see the kids.

            During our lunch breaks and once we finished painting, I got to see what classes were like for children. I could not help but peek into the classrooms to see what they were all learning. In a class of what looked like kindergarteners, they were all singing and dancing. My heart melted watching them, and I even danced with them from outside which made them laugh out loud. In another class, a little girl was pretending to play drums with her two pencils and I pitched in with two small paint brushes. Another boy from a different class and I were making goofy faces with each other during his free time in class. I had all of these incredible and small interactions with these kids, and I felt so connected with them. We mutually brought a smile to one another’s face. They each had their own unique and special personalities. I met a girl named Lucy who was one of the sweetest girls, and she loved to braid and play with my hair. There was another little boy who was a complete prankster, and he got such a kick out of running off with my baseball hat. Nonetheless, they were all unforgettable.

            The children of the school from all grades came together to perform for all of us. As they were performing, you could not help but smile from all of the fun they were having. When they performed their last dance, some of the children came up to a few of us and invited us to dance with them. I felt honored to be chosen to dance with them, and I got to meet even more of these amazing kids.

            Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest things I had to do. As we walked back to the buses, Lucy was clenched to my arm begging me not to leave. I started tearing up as I had to hug her and everyone else goodbye. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. I am so incredibly thankful to have had the chance to meet these amazing kids. They are what made this day my favorite memory from my study abroad experience. Since then, I have taken an interest in pediatrics. I hope that one day I will be able to meet and help children who are as friendly and kind as they were to me.