Live and Learn Fiji

For World Humanitarian Day 2024, Live and Learn would like to thank all the volunteers and humanitarian workers who continue to ensure that our communities in need are not forgotten or left behind.

To ensure our communities are sustainable, we promote the integration of the concepts of human rights, environmentalism, humanitarianism, culture, gender equality and peace in all projects and programs.

"Small Acts, Big Impact”

These are the words best used to describe the many volunteers who tirelessly work alongside Organisations to meet the urgent needs of our communities during times of emergencies and natural disasters.

Simple deeds such as assisting with food distributions or taking part in clean up campaigns around the community has a very big impact and at the same time build the spirit of unity within the community.

Community-based volunteers are 'first responders' in an emergency situation.

Happy Humanitarian Week to one and all

𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙘𝙤 𝘿𝙍𝙍 - 𝘼𝙙𝙞 𝙑𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙖 𝙍𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙠𝙖

The Pacific region is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world.

During times of emergencies, access to clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene is not just a necessity—it's a lifeline.

Humanitarians support people in extreme need by ensuring that their most basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and protection are met.

At Live and Learn Fiji, are committed to deliver essential WASH services to affected communities with urgency and compassion, ensuring that every person, no matter the crisis, has the opportunity to stay safe and healthy

Live and Learn Fiji along with other stakeholders spent a week in the forest of Drawa in Vanualevu undergoing training on Forest inventory taking.

The training was provided by a Forest specialist from the Nakau Programme. Live and Learn works closely with the Drawa community through its REDD+ Project to ensure that they sustainably manage their forest and also they generate alternative sources of income.

📢What is REDD+?

‘REDD’ stands for ‘Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. The ‘+’ stands for additional forest-related activities that protect the climate, namely sustainable management of forests and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

📢 What is carbon credit trading?

Carbon trading is where developing countries can receive payments for emission reductions when they reduce deforestation. This serves as a major incentive for their efforts. In Drawa, the landowners have exchanged logging for conservation. This is where rather than selling timber, landowners produce and sell carbon credits and maintain the multitude of benefits of keeping their forest intact.

Humanitarian aid is the direct assistance or aid that goes to the community.

It’s the shelters given out during disasters, it is the emergency supply kits that are distributed to people during natural disasters and there are many more examples.

At Live and Learn Environmental Education, we work closely with our partners to ensure that we promote the integration of the concepts of human rights, environmentalism, humanitarianism, culture, gender equality and peace in all projects and programs.

In the true spirit of partnership and community building, Live and Learn Fiji (LLEE) today visited Navatu Secondary School Under 19 rugby team as they prepared for their Deans Quarter Final.

LLEE has close ties to the District of Navatu through the various projects implemented throughout the years. LLEE works with communities who are feeder to Navatu Secondary School and any achievement of the school is an achievement for all.

Through a drive, the Organisation raised funds which was handed over to the school for their day to day expenses while in the capital Suva. In receiving the donation from LLEE, Principal Tomasi Ilikena expressed the school’s appreciation and adding that Navatu has been blessed with the timely donation as they come from a rural setting and faced with financial limitations, it was faith that had brought them this far.
Speaking on behalf of the Organisation, Ponijese Korovulavula who also works with the communities around Navatu spoke on behalf of LLEE adding that it is an achievement to see a school from rural Cakaudrove stamp its mark at a national level and passed on the well wishes from the Organization.

Navatu is taking on Naitasiri Secondary School tomorrow in the national quarter finals of the Fiji Secondary Schools Rugby Deans trophy competition.

Title: "Resilience in the storm"

In the heart of Vanua Balavu, a maritime island in Fiji, where the ocean whispers secrets to the wind, a tale of resilience and unity unfolds. Sawana Village, nestled among swaying palms 🌴and golden sands, stood as a beacon of hope during the relentless fury of Tropical Cyclone MAL.

At the helm of Sawana Village was Tevita Fotofili, a wise leader weathered by time yet brimming with determination. Tevita, with his weathered hands and kind eyes, had attended the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction training undertaken by Live and Learn Fiji through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership Disaster READY 2.0 Program. Little did he know that this training would herald a new era of preparedness for his village.

“We’re so fortunate to have been upskilled with such training awareness, unlike before as were unfortunate due to our location,” Tevita said.

When TC MAL 🌀 swept through the azure waters, Sawana Village's Community Disaster Management Committee sprang into action, guided by the knowledge imparted during the training. Tevita, standing tall amidst swirling winds, watched as his community rallied together with unwavering resolve. The transistor radio crackled with updates, the hailer's voice cutting through the storm, urging villagers to seek shelter.

As the winds howled and the rain poured ⛈️, Mele Koro, the village nurse of Lomaloma, worked tirelessly in the evacuation center. Armed with insights from the training, she tended to the vulnerable and needy. Through her actions, a sense of calm prevailed amidst the chaos.

“To avoid an outbreak after TC Mal, I ensured that hygiene was observed, and the first Aid kit was ready for those who needed medical supplies. Our committee worked together as a team from teh time teh announcement was made over the 📻. ”

The clusters of communities on Vanua Balavu, united by shared knowledge and purpose, stood firm against the 🌀.

Apakuki Vasuinubu, the Fiji Police Station Officer, marvelled at the seamless coordination during the crisis. The once disjointed response now harmonized, thanks to the transformative training .

“The training was timely and enlightened us as First responders on how to assist the vulnerable better in times of disasters. This enhanced on how we operate, and now we speak the same language in terms of preparedness and response. This was evident when Tropical Cyclone Mal struck, and everyone activated their roles and exercised what we learned.”

Rupeni Qaraniqio, the staff Nurse at Vanua Balavu Hospital, witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and preparation. The pre-assessment and post-assessment strategies honed during the training ensured that aid reached those in need swiftly and effectively.

Live & Learn Fiji's vision of community resilience had sprouted roots, blossoming into a testament of human spirit and solidarity.

The training were divied into two group for Vanuabalavu. The covered the following st Cluster being teh folloiwng villages - Namalata, Susui, Narocivo, Sawana, Lomaloma, Dakui Lomaloma, Uruone & Levukana Villages whilst the 2nd Cluster included Mavana, Boitaci, Avea, Malakand , Muamua and Mualevu Villages.

This initiative was supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Humanitarian program in collaboration with the Fiji NDMO .

Story collected by Adi Laisa Laveti Fiji AHP - Australian Humanitarian Partnership Communication Officer..

Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji (LLEE Fiji) this week joined stakeholders, the Ministry of Forestry Fiji and other civil socity Organisations in a two day workshop aimed at developing a new Planted Forests Policy.

The Organisation was represented by Beato Dulunaqio who is the Project Co-ordinator for REDD+ and Climate Resilience by Nature. The Inception Workshop brought together stakeholders to refine and finalise a comprehensive policy framework for the sustainable management of planted forests in Fiji.

Source: Ministry of Forestry, Fiji

Eighty three households from two villages in Bua have received a boost following a second training on food security and livelihood conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Climate Resilient Islands programme.

The Climate Resilient Islands Programme or CRI as it is commonly called, is implemented by Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji, with funding provided by the New Zealand Government.

In this training, the villagers from Kavula and Banikea in the province of Bua participated in the Organic Farming training in addition to the Farming as a Business training, conducted by the Land Use Department.

They received timely advice on the preparation of organic compost from kitchen refuse and other organic wastes, awareness on sustainable farming practices and the importance of maintaining soil health while also receiving skills in the preparation and application of liquid bacterium culture.

For more information on our CRI Programme, please visit our website on
https://www.livelearnfiji.org/

Live and Learn Environmental Education Fiji was today part of the 2024-2025 Budget briefings carried out by the Fijian Parliament secretariat under the UNDP Floating Budget Office (FBO).

Represented by Adi Vatea Ravoka who is the Project Coordinator for Eco DRR along with Joseva Ravula who is the Gender and Resilience Officer, LLEE Fiji took part in a workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
in understanding and utilising the analytical budget briefings.

This was organised by the Fijian Parliament supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This workshop helps make complex budgetary information accessible and understandable.

This is an important step as it will help civil society organisations understand the National budget process as well as the budget briefings for policies that address the needs and priorities of their communities.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=783520707326713&id=100070063720322&mibextid=Nif5oz

Through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership Plan International Fiji worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Live and Learn Fiji in collaboration with the Fiji NDMO conducted trainings in their respective communities and build their capacity on Disaster READY.
The feedback from the communities was encouraging as they acted on their respective roles during TC Mal. Therefore, the impact of the training was reflected on their swift response during TC Mal.
ahpdisasterpreparedness # ausaid #

Today, communities involved in the Live and Learn Fiji Atoll Food Futures (AFF) program convened for a single day of reflection and sharing of insights gained from the project's initiatives. From its launch in 2022, the AFF Program has worked to enhance food security and nutrition in five informal settlements along the Lami, Suva-Nausori corridor.

According to Mr. Ponijese Korovulavula, AFF Project Coordinator the Committee met today primarily to review the events from the previous year, talk about the lessons learned, and plan the activities for Year 3. It is imperative to ascertain from them the areas in which we can enhance our training facilitation.

These forums also enable people to discuss issues they are having in their local communities and as committee members how they work with their respective communities to improve things. In addition, Team AFF presented their quarterly training schedules and the initiatives that they want to carry out this year.

The workshop concluded with community members having a tour of a demonstration farm model. Demonstration farms are used to teach various agricultural techniques and technologies and showcase new or improved crops. They also serve as a venue to research and test new methods alongside traditional ones.

Atolls Food Futures Program is a Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade initiative, implemented by Live & Learn Environmental Education.

The Live and Learn - Climate Resilience Islands (CRI) programme advocates for organic farming; a healthier quest towards resilience and food security.

On the week of the 17th of June, villagers of Valeni and Dreketi in the district of Wailevu West, Cakaudrove, participated in the Organic Farming Training conducted by staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Fiji, Research Division from Koronivia.

Through this training, seventy-eight households directly benefited from the distribution of farming tool kits, vegetable seeds and bacterium culture tanks from Live and Learn Fiji to help improve their livelihoods and ensure a steady supply of nutritious food for their families.

Villagers learnt about bacterium culture and its benefits on the soil, good husbandry practices for trees and crops, soil potting preparation procedures, and plant propagation techniques like grafting and marcotting of fruit tree species. The importance of organic farming and compost preparation, along with their benefits, were also emphasized.

The two-day training provided them with life long knowledge, skills and tools to grow healthier, more resilient crops that reduces the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This shift towards organic farming not only protects the environment, but also, ensures that families have access to fresh, nutritious vegetables sustainably grown from their own gardens.

Climate Resilient Islands is a New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade initiative, implemented by Live & Learn Environmental Education, with funding provided by the New Zealand Government.

The Climate Resilience Islands (CRI) Programme is making significant stride in promoting food security and climate resilience. Fifty-five households in the villages of Naiqaqi and Laucala in the district of Wailevu West, Cakaudrove, gained valuable insights from the Organic Training conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Fiji Research Division from Koronivia. Through this program, these households directly benefited from the distribution of farming tool kits, vegetable seeds and a bacterium culture tank from Live and Learn Fiji to help improve their livelihoods and ensure a steady supply of nutritious food for their families.

Villagers learned about bacterium culture and its benefits, good husbandry practices for tree crops, soil potting preparation, and plant propagation techniques. The importance of organic farming and compost preparation, along with their benefits, were also emphasized.

This training provides them with the knowledge and tools to grow healthier, more resilient crops and reduces their reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This shift to organic farming not only protects the environment but also ensures that families have access to fresh, nutritious vegetables from their own gardens.

Climate Resilient Islands is a New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade initiative, implemented by Live & Learn Environmental Education, with funding provided by the New Zealand Government.

New Zealand High Commission, Suva, Fiji

With the 2023/2024 cyclone season drawing to an end, the Australian High Commission was delighted to host our Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) humanitarian partners to a roundtable discussion to hear about the challenges they face when delivering disaster ready support to communities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with humanitarian CSOs to build community resilience and preparedness for disasters in Fiji.

Medical Services Pacific
ADRA Fiji
Live and Learn Fiji
Plan International
Fiji Council Of Social Services (FCOSS)
Empower Pacific
Caritas Archdiocese of Suva, Fiji

🌿Waikerekere Community in Fiji are expanding their skills 🎉🥬

The community of Waikerekere, participants in the Atoll Food Futures project, recently had their skills boosted through a training focused on adding value to the crops they grow.

Delivered by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Fiji Food Lab Technicians and organised by Live and Learn Fiji, the training was delivered to the local youth and women's groups and included the preparation of pineapple jam, cassava flour, and chips from cassava, dalo, yams, plantain, and breadfruit.

“We bring the training to our vulnerable groups in the informal settlements to help them develop and diversify, engage in value-adding, process and preserve crops around them to improve and elevate their health and livelihoods, ” said AFF Project Manager Ponijese Korovulavula.

“Waikerekere community is not exposed to value-adding and the training conducted by the Research officials, encourages them to utilise local food rather than buying from markets and also improving diet and increasing income generation."

Having also been conducted in Bilo and Kilikali settlements, this training is expected to have a great impact on communities' self-reliance and food resilience, and has been very well received by communities.

See the video from the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture for more
👉https://bit.ly/AFFtraining

The Atoll Food Futures Project is an Australian Aid initiative implemented by Live & Learn on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Earlier this month, over 50 households in the Mataniborosisi and Bilo informal settlements in Lami were provided with 3,000 dalo suckers. The village headmen of Mataniborosisi and Bilo settlement in Lami was thankful to the Taiwan Technical Mission for providing them with dalo suckers.

Some community members will plant their dalo suckers in their communal garden plots, while others will plant them in their backyards or personal gardens. Live and Learn is urging homeowners with available land to utilize it to enhance food security, nutrition, and livelihoods within their households and communities.

This assistance by the Taiwan Technical Mission complements the effort of the Atoll Food Futures program, which is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented in partnership with Live and Learn Fiji .

TTM FIJI
TaiwanICDF財團法人國際合作發展基金會

Climate Resilient Islands (CRI) Program is a multi-country Pacific program funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by Live & Learn Environmental Education.

In Fiji the program is being implemented in the Northern Division to strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change through nature-based approaches.

The Climate Resilient Islands program outcome areas are:

🌱 Protection, restoration and maintenance of ecosystems
🌱 Climate resilient food systems
🌱 preparedness to intensified natural hazards

Click on the link below to listen as community members share how the program enhances their resilience.
👇

Indigenous, nature-based solutions A grassroots-led approach to climate challenges is enabling rural communities in Fiji to collectively plan for a climate resilient future. The Climate Resili...

🌿‘Two years ago, we never thought we can plant around our compound as we have a small space. But luckily with this project, we now have a fair knowledge of what more we can do with a small space. We are glad that our community is chosen to be one of the communities in Fiji to be part of this project.’🌿

Viliame is a member of Kilikali Settlement, one of Fiji's Atoll Food Futures partner communities. As an amputee living in a small space, he never thought that he and his family could grow enough food to create a healthier way of life.

But that has changed in the last few years. Now, Viliame and his family have opportunities they never previously thought possible, and are growing their way towards a new way of living.

Read more here👉bit.ly/viliamestory

Story and image credit to Luisa Qoilevu of Live and Learn Fiji

Atoll Food Futures is an Australian aid initiative implemented by Live & Learn on behalf of the Australian Government.