Fiji. Argentina. Samoa. Canada. All In One?

Hey guys!
Today, I was given the opportunity to watch two rugby games in the Pacific Cup Challenge. The first game I got to watch was Canada vs Samoa. This was such a good game! Samoa and Canada both fought hard but Canada came away with the win by no more than two points. The next game was between Fiji and Argentina, sadly for Fiji, Argentina won the game. Rugby is such an amazing sport in so many ways! I love it!

Anyway,  Now to let you guys continue our adventures here in Fiji, projects are coming along so well! I can't believe how much I have been learning here!

FENC- has become one of my absolute favorite places to be. I now work one on one with a little boy named Wami. And let me tell you, he has so much potential. This boy is a natural born leader and protector. He is about 10 years old and all of the children follow him and he watches out for them. I love it. He also is so smart and can work so hard. I cannot explain how rewarding it is to work with him, and watch him get closer and closer to his potential and as he learns and gets it.  . I totally understand where the desire to become a teacher comes from. To see the potential of an individual and help them through education get closer and closer and finally understand things that are hard or challenging for them.  . It is such an amazing experience. I love it!

Saint Anne's - is going super well too! We got the pictures of the girls developed and have began progress on the picture board. I am so excited for this to come to life!

Saint Joseph's Secondary School- This past week we taught our music classes about the impact music has on your brain. This was an amazing experience because many of them had absolutely no idea how much of an impact music can make.

Swimming - So,  updates on the swimming project will come soon. Swimming and many of the projects got cancelled because of the cyclone - Pam. Upside is we are all ready to go and carry on like usual for the rest of our time here!

The weekend - The weekend the team went to a resort called Mango Bay. This resort was so much fun! We were able to see Fire Dancers,  go horseback riding to one of the famous waterfalls here in Fiji,  snorkel, swim,  and enjoy our time off. I would definitely recommend it to any of you wanting to experience a Fijian resort first hand!

Well,  sota tale - see you later!
I'll keep you guys updated!
So stay tuned for more of our Adventures in this beautiful country of Fiji! I love it here and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to be here. Half way through,  and as the days go by I find myself wishing I could pause time for a bit longer. But anyway,  I'll keep you guys updated!

Hope you all are doing well in your own adventures at home!

Until next time!

~ Hailey Ann

ItsBeenAMonth? Wait, what?

Guys! It's March! What?!

I've been here for a month! That's so crazy to think about cause It's gone by so fast but I have loved every minute of it. So I know you guys are way excited about what's been going on and how the projects are doing,  so I won't make you wait any longer haha.

Project Updated!!

Our education projects are going really well!

FENC - FENC becomes more rewarding as these kids remember what we teach and as more and more of them bring their homework so that they can receive help on it so they  understand the material so that they can pass their exams.

There is actually one student I work with who is very concerned about passing her exams and making sure she knows the information so she actually asks her teacher for work two weeks in advance and asks us to teach it to her. This is more than we imagined would happen but we are so proud of how dedicated she is to her education, passing her exams,  and her future success.

I am so excited to see where we end up with this project as these kids continue to progress.

St. Anne's - I love this project more and more as I am part of it. This week we took individual pictures of the little girls in the class that we help with. And I seriously don't think many of them have had their picture taken before so this will be a cool experience for them alongside our intention to unit the classroom as a whole. We are putting together a picture board with their pictures on it so they can see it everyday in their class room. I am so excited to see how this comes together!

St. Joseph's - This is another Catholic school for girls but this is a secondary school where St. Anne's is a primary school so the girls are older. This week I got to be a part of teaching an art class and a guitar/piano class. I absolutely loved it! I love being able to help people learn the beautiful world of music! I also loved this because this is how I got to start my day! I'm so excited to watch these kids as they learn more and more and begin to really play!

Hilton Special School - This week was pretty awesome! These kids love life so much! And this week we got to teach them how to do paper mâché! We are going to have each of the kids make their own globe as we teach them about different parts of the world and have the kids draw a picture of what they remember or like most about the part of the world we talk about that day. Then we are going to put those pictures together in a collage of the world. Hailey and I are so excited about this one!

Weekend - this weekend we went and explored Moon Reef! This was one one of my favorite experiences here yet! A group of us got on a boat and our guide took us to the reef where he showed us a pod of dolphins! This was so much fun! The dolphins would swim right alongside the boat. Then after following the dolphins around for awhile,  we went snorkeling at the reef. That was so cool! The water was so clear and beautiful, it was beautiful!

Well guys,  eight weeks left! I'll keep you guys updated as the weeks go by! I hope you all are doing well!

Till next time!

~ Hailey

SoLetTheProjectsBegin

Hey guys!

Oh my goodness so how crazy is this,  I've been here for almost a month! What?! Time seems to have flown by. In one week I will have been here a full month. Then there's two months left. That seems like such a short amount of time! But anyway,

Project Updates!

We've started to get projects finalized and in place.
The projects that I have been a part of finalizing has been our projects I previously have talked about at the Hilton Special School. This week we have committed to painting games on areas of the for the children to have during times of recess. As well as a set of maps so the children can refer to them and see where they live and see different parts of Fiji. We also will be choreographing  a dance for them so they can have the equal opportunity to enter Fiji's nationwide dance competition! We are so excited about this because they will have the same opportunity as others so this will be a huge accomplishment for them since they are children with disabilities, but they are not letting that stop them and we are beyond excited to start on this so that these kids can take their disabilities add another thing to their endless possibilities.

Another project I am super excited about is our involvement in Saint Anne's. Saint Anne's is an all girls catholic school here in Fiji. Here we help teach,  tutor, and aid the teachers. This week we worked with first grade girls on learning to read and write in English as many of these kids actually only learn English in school because they speak Fijian or Hindi when they go home so we help a lot with reading and writing English. We also have been teaching them fun rhymes to go with the English words, letters,  and sounds they are learning. We also will be helping to decorate and paint some other parts of the school.

FENC- This project is going and pretty set in place. The kids here are learning more structured learning from us as well tutor and prepare them for exams. The entire Fijian education system changed this year and so there are lots of requirements that were just placed on kids around the ages of 10- 12. These kids are now required to take exams to determine where they stand in education. In the past the children just progress with each other and then will take exams when they are around the ages of 16 and 17. So we are now having to teach and catch these kids up on so much stuff because they either haven't learned it and will now be tested on. So this project is one of our hardest because there are so many kids at so many different levels. But things are going better and better as we continue.

All right guys, there's the update for the week! I can't wait to tell you guys what happens this coming week as these projects continue and other ones get put in place!

Talk to you guys next week!

~ Hailey

The End of Week One And The Beginning of Week Two

Our first official full week in Fiji  has come to an end and our second week begins.

This week has definitely been one full of a lot of learning and project establishing.

So far our projects consist of working with Fiji's Foundation of Education for Needy Children (FENC) through tutoring children in villages. On Monday we meet with the organization to plan out our tutoring sessions for Tuesday and Thursday.  And so far this has been a very fun and rewarding experience. These children love to learn and they are so friendly. I am beginning to understand why teachers want to teach as I tutor these kids I get to see the things I am helping them learn benefit their lives.  I cannot explain how amazing of a feeling that is. To watch and be a part of something that is making a positive difference and impact in the life of another. I absolutely love it.

Our next project that we have started is helping out at the Hilton Special School. This is a school in the capital of Fiji where students with disabilities go. Most of the children here have a physical disability or they are deaf. So far going to this school has been my absolute favorite. We went to the school on Friday for the first time. It was an absolutely amazing experience. We were there to help and teach them but in return I feel like I learned more from them. The children who are deaf worked with kids who weren't deaf to teach us Fijian sign language. The people of Fiji truly are remarkable.
They are so happy and caring.

Towards the end of our time at the school for the day we helped with the physical education class. Here at the school, the P.E. class is dance. This was absolutely one of the funnest experiences! We danced with the kids while the teachers taught. Then the teachers let us lead the dance.

Before the dance class I got to talk with this little girl who was kinda shy but very sweet. When we got to the dance class I noticed she wasn't dancing so I walked over to her and asked her if she wanted to dance. One of the teachers told me she was very shy about dancing. I told them and the little girl that I used to be super super shy. I looked at the girl and told her I would go dance with her. This gave her the confidence she needed. So we went and joined the others. Soon after just a little bit of me dancing with her she soon had the confidence to dance all by herself. I absolutely loved it.  To watch her gain confidence in herself.

I am absolutely loving our projects and the experiences I am sharing here with the local people of Fiji and that I am able to bring you guys along with me through my blog. I cannot wait to have more experiences and share them with you throughout my journey here. I cannot wait to see what next week has in store!

Until next time!

~ Hailey

Below are pictures of us teaching dance at the special School. As well as a picture of the sunset here yesterday.

The Beauty of Fiji

Bula!

Here in Fiji that is how you are greeted by anyone and everyone so don't be surprised if you walk down the street and you hear someone and then next someone and the next someone say bula :) The people here are absolutely amazing.

So for all of you reading this who were worried about me or Hailey getting here safely or you are my father haha,  we made it safe and sound.  I think Hailey wanted to take a detour to somewhere else before cause she almost got on a wrong plane,  haha but everything all said and done, here we are.  In the beautiful world of Fiji.

So I think many people come to Fiji to experience the beaches or food or resorts but I am convinced that the best thing about Fiji is the people. The people here in Fiji are such beautiful people. You know how when you visit a new place and you don't know where you are trying to get to, people around you usually seem to busy to help you? Well not here. The people here will go out of their way to help you. They will show you where bus stops are. Give you directions and help you pretty much in any way they can without hesitation.

Our second day here a girl on our team turned around on a bus and asked if someone would teach her the Fijian language. So they were doing their best to teach her. It was quite a funny experience for all of us. The people here are so open about life. And they are so happy. It's  as if each individual has their own way to happiness and everyone around them just accepts its. They accept that the one guy is happy when he sings along out loud to the music he is listening to and they are happy for him.
I absolutely love it.

People are also very religious here. No one cares what religion anyone is, but just that you believe in something. It is absolutely beautiful.

Very soon we will begin one of our first projects working with a local group here in Fiji called FENC - Fiji for Educating Needy Children. We are going to help tutor them and work with them. I am so excited to help them! And I cannot wait to share this experience with you guys!

So far here are some facts I have learned about Fiji :

- Modesty in dress is part of their culture here. They wear short sleeved shirts, skirts past the knee, shorts past the knee, sulus (Fijian wrap around skirts),  dresses, and pants. The people here believe the immodesty offends Fiji.

- They have sulus for formal occasions

- Driving here is VERY different. They drive on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the road. And pedestrians do not have the right of way.

- Some nutrition facts on packaging are funny. They tell you how much energy something has in it

- Sharks are considered to be kind of a god here. There is a famous huge shark in Fiji waters named Lady. Look her up if you get the chance.

- Here in Fiji,  Fijians are actually born with land rights.

- Fijians say good morning and bula to anyone and everyone. They are immensely friendly

- Vinaka (vee - nah- kah) is  how you say thank you/ good

Anyway, that's all I have for you today. But don't worry I'll keep you guys right here with me the best that I can. Fiji is such a beautiful place. And the most beautiful thing about it is the people.

Until next time in this grand adventure!

Here are some images of Pacific Harbor and some other areas near Suva, Fiji!

~ Hailey Ann

Let The Adventure Begin!

All right this is it guys.

Let the grand adventure begin.

I am headed to Fiji!

How crazy life can be.  One moment you are living life- going about your usual daily routine- and that is all as great (or typical) as it can be and then every so often something crazy may happen where life shakes things up a bit. Life couldn't keep things the same all the time cause then we might actually get it pretty figured out and how boring would that be? Haha. I feel like this is kinda what life has done for me :)

I have been given this amazing opportunity to make a lasting difference and impact in the lives of others. I could not be more grateful for this opportunity and for you guys and your support, excitement, and constant encouragement! I have an amazing support system with me :)

I'm so excited for you guys to join me in this adventure and amazing experience and I want to thank all of you who donate and continue to donate as we set out to make a difference in the world around us!

I'll do my best to keep you guys with me as much as possible as this journey begins to unfold!

Until next time guys!

~ Hailey Ann

Just Around The Corner

Hey guys! 

This grand adventure is coming so quickly! And I could not be more excited about it!

You know that feeling you get when you're super excited about something but you kinda don't know what to expect and so you're a bit nervous? That's about how I feel right now haha. 

I am beyond excited to experience Fiji- for this grand adventure to begin and unfold and so naturally as the number of days till my departure date drop and it becomes closer I get more excited along with that slight nervous feeling. 

I want to thank all of you for your donations and excitement that are making this such an amazing experience! I just want to take each and everyone of you with me! Seriously! 

So, I invite you to continue to follow and come along with me because this adventure is just around the corner! :)

Till next time,

~ Hailey Ann