I spent a month in Fiji on the Build project alongside 20 other volunteers. We had 3 weeks in the highland village Vunerewa to build a medical dispensary for a village nurse, learn about rural Fijian culture and be immersed in village life. In our training, it was described as a chance for cultural exchange, which was definitely true when you are living in a house with your new Fijian family!
The Fijian youths have grown up building the homes in the village and they were the ones teaching us how it was done! The whole build was guided by our Think Pacific build manager.
How does a build project relate to a Biotechnology degree? I am particularly interested in the practical aspects of running sustainable projects in rural environments. I was able to draw from their specific methods of employing and partnering with the local people, whilst also ensuring long term longevity of a project. I also learnt how the village relies on subsistence farming. From helping to use bulls to plough a field for cassava plants, to fishing in the local river, to having to avoid my family’s chickens, cows, goat, hunting dogs and horses on the way to the bathroom! As a woman in STEM, I also enjoyed being present on site and showing some of the younger teenage girls that they could also use a hammer and saw to build something!
Culturally, Fijian villages are overwhelming different to anything I had experienced before. I had never left Europe before this trip! I quickly got used to siting cross legged on the bamboo floor, to say “tilou” whenever passing someone sat down and learning to wrap a sulu around my waist in the least clumsy way!
As much as I will miss the stunning scenery and beaches, the thing I will miss the most is my new family in the jungle. When again will a whole village throw a 24 hour long leaving ceremony for you! I am incredibly grateful for all that I have learnt in Fiji and for the entire experience being possible because of the financial support via the University of Nottingham.
Danielle Colyer, BSc Biotechnology