JourneyOnline
FOR AROUND ten years Rev Louise Edwards has been helping young people celebrate finishing high school by experiencing a faith and culture exchange in a remote island in Fiji.
Consequently, the island of Taveuni has become somewhat of a second home to Ms Edwards, who is a Deacon at Broadwater Road Uniting Church in Brisbane.
From 20 November to 2 December this year Ms Edwards will take another group of school leavers to discover what life is
like in a small village on a remote island in the Pacific.
“Three young people came with me in 2010 and they had an amazing and life-changing experience,” said Ms Edwards.
“They talked about the effect the people and the children in the village had on them as they saw how the people lived, loved and shared with each other.
“One young person said she had heard about life in villages like this but it was nothing compared to experiencing it.
She was saying life will be diff erent for her now as she does not want to be caught up with the material side of things in life.
“Another said she realises you don’t need to have things to be happy and the people and the children in the village taught her true happiness and love.”
This has been the common response from participants over the years.
Participants experience village life as the locals do with fresh Fijian food and scarce electricity.
Ms Edwards said last year one of the elders spoke of the effect the groups had on the village.
“He spoke of the children in the village and how they looked forward to our visit and how over the time we have been visiting, the children’s English has improved,” she said.
“Over the years we have been able to support the local school by taking books and other school supplies with us.
“By doing this, it means every child in the school has the school Seeking life-changing schoolies supplies they need.
“When Cyclone Thomas hit Fiji early in 2010 their village was very badly damaged – many houses and crops were destroyed.
“They were very thankful to the Uniting Church for the financial support they received in order to rebuild their lives.
“Overall I see the trip as an amazing and life-changing experience, both for the young people who participate as well as
the people in the village.”
Registrations are now open for the 2011 trip (20 November-2 December). Cost is $1550.
For more information contact Louise Edwards on 3849 8548 or visit the Fiji Schoolies Trip Facebook group.
Photo : Louise Edwards with a young friend on the island of Taveuni during the Fiji Schoolies trip last year. Photo courtesy of Louise Edwards
