In January 2011, Anna Hurley, who attended Epsom College, undertook a gap year expedition to the Fiji Islands with Think Pacific and spent 10 weeks living and volunteering in Yanuca village, Moturiki.
As part of the first ever gap year team lucky enough to visit this tiny and traditional Fijian community, Anna played a key role as a volunteer. Her group completed building projects within Yanuca, taught English in Moturiki School, organised sports coaching and youth clubs and helped to establish a kindergarten programme for the under-five’s.
Anna then headed off to explore even further on her gap year, including travelling through South America and Asia.
This is the first time that Anna has been back to her old school since departing sixth form and we’re delighted that she will be heading back as a representative of Think Pacific and sharing some of her stories and memories with the next generation of Fiji volunteers!
Anna said “I recently got back from the rest of my travels after Fiji and I have to say nothing topped my experience in Yanuca! I had a fantastic time on the second part of my travels but I think it just reinforced how good Fiji was! I miss the village so much and am already looking forward to the day when I will have enough money to go back.
I keep looking on the TP website as I love hearing all the news of the current projects. It does fill me with great jealousy though! Especially the ones who are teaching at Moturiki District School”
Here is a fabulous blog, which Anna wrote about her Gap Year Volunteering Experiences in Fiji.
The gap year fair takes place on Tuesday 27th September from 16.30 – 18.00 and is organised by ISCO Futurwise. This free gap year event provides students with lots of gap year advice, volunteering ideas and inspiration. If you’ll be attending, then please feel free to stop by and speak to Anna and she’ll be delighted to tell you more about her gap year adventures!
