Save the Children - Fiji, Suva 

Helping Fijian students access quality education

Our international partner Save the Children is an organisation dedicated to ensuring children in Fiji can access education and can have a happy life.

Save the Children Fiji believes every child has the right to access to quality education whilst being able to live a healthy, happy and active life.

The organisation supports this by helping promote the rights of children both by working with children directly and also by driving change at higher government and policy levels. This is also supported by their work around disaster preparedness that helps reduce the overwhelming risks to children during times of disaster by educating and empowering communities to act before disasters occur.

PACE activities

Students typically work on a communications plan for Save The Children's programs. Activities suit students with experience in:

• monitoring and evaluation
• conducting focus groups
• conducting interviews and surveys

Social research

A student conducted research and a longitudinal study on children in Fiji who attended kindergarten versus those who had not. At the same time providing support on child rights, health, child protection and humanitarian assistance.

Health

Students created a series of ‘fact sheets’ for Save the Children Fiji and disseminated these sheets to various people and groups such as policymakers and planners, donors, teachers and schools, media, community organisations.

Law

A student provided support on child rights, health, child protection and humanitarian assistance

Student experience - Stephanie Lockhart

What do you study and where did you go on your PACE International activity?

I study Social Science with a major in development studies and culture change and as part of my PACE unit for my degree, 2 of us had the opportunity to work in Suva, Fiji with Save the Children Fiji.

What was your role or project at your host organisation?

We were working on a child rights research project to explore the current situation surrounding children's rights in Fiji. This involved designing, conducting and analysing surveys, one-on-one interviews, and focus groups. At the end of our project, we presented a presentation to our organisation of the work that we had completed during our time with them.

What attracted you to the PACE International program?

I was attracted to the PACE International program as, having done an exchange in Fiji in the previous year, I developed a major interest in the Pacific and was excited and enthusiastic to learn more through further work in this region! The project was a great fit for providing me with an opportunity to expand my skills and knowledge in my field of study.

What advice would you give a student who is thinking of applying for a PACE International activity?

I recommend if you are considering applying for a PACE International activity to do it because you grow so much personally, academically, and professionally through the experience.

What was the best part of your PACE International experience?

There were so many amazing aspects of my PACE International experience. Some of my favourites were the networks and relationships that were built with people and organisations in another country. Furthermore, having the opportunity to travel around Fiji with Save the Children to conduct interviews and gather data made for plenty of unforgettable memories and major opportunities for the development of my skills in researching.