Peace Corps Fiji

A day in the life of a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji can look a little different from what most people imagine.

Out in Cakaudrove in Vanua Levu, Peace Corps Volunteer Yerika has been getting her hands dusty alongside the village youth on their copra farm. From gathering coconuts to prepping them for drying, the team spirit is strong, and the momentum keeps building as everyone throws their energy into the work.

This hands-on effort is about learning together and strengthening community projects. It also helps the youth understand how their copra eventually makes its way to buyers like MaxValue, the supermarket. By knowing the full journey from farm to shelf, the community can make informed choices that support their livelihoods.

Vinaka vakalevu to the youth for leading the way. Yerika is right there with you every step of the journey.

Peace Corps Volunteer Christian is back with another glimpse into life in Bua. This time he is sharing a fun home tour video with a twist.

Instead of using every room for himself, he has set aside an entire room in his house for the village women’s group. It is now their storage area for all the beekeeping equipment they received through funding from Friends of Fiji, after Christian and the women worked together to make the project possible.

Christian gives the tour in the Buan dialect. It is one of the toughest iTaukei dialects to learn, yet he has picked it up with confidence after only a year and a half in the village.

It is a lighthearted and meaningful look at partnership, language learning, and the everyday ways Volunteers support local initiatives.

Step inside the daily life of Peace Corps Volunteer Claudia as she gives us a home tour of her unique village house tucked under the church in Nadroga where she serves. You’ll see how she has adapted her space with creativity, including her clever use of drawers as steps to reach her high kitchen counter.

Today we are sharing a video from Emily, a Peace Corps Volunteer serving here in Fiji. In her message, Emily talks about the goals of Peace Corps, how the Peace Corps Fiji program works, and what Volunteers do in their communities.
She also helps address a common misunderstanding by explaining how Volunteers work in partnership with their host communities. The work is guided by local priorities and built on mutual learning and respect.

Emily’s experience is a good example of the community led approach that shapes the work in Fiji.

Today we’re celebrating Sam Aitchison (née Perry), a proud member of Group Fiji Re‑Entry Program One who served in Lautoka from 2002 to 2005.

As a Youth Worker with the Ministry of Youth and Employment Opportunities, Sam dedicated her time to supporting young people and building strong community ties. Fiji also became the place where her life changed in unexpected ways. It was during her service that she met her husband from New Zealand, a connection that grew naturally from the relationships she formed there.

Sam now lives in Brisbane, Australia, but Fiji remains close to her heart. One of her most cherished moments was being lovingly given away by her host dad, Talatala Manasa in Vuda, Lautoka, a reflection of the deep bonds created during her time in the community.

A beautiful reminder of how service, culture, and friendship can shape a lifetime.

Peace Corps Volunteer Liam, whose Fijian name is Lepani, has had a packed schedule in his village located in the Bua province. When he is not inside his home gym training with the rugby boys, he is working with the village women’s group on their growing beekeeping project. The collaboration, learning and excitement around the hives have become a standout part of his service.

Step into his home and you can instantly feel his connection to the community. Hearing him speak iTaukei so comfortably makes it clear why the village has truly embraced him.

His indoor gym is the highlight of the house. Each afternoon it transforms into an energetic training zone. The boys arrive, the music kicks in and the room fills with movement, teamwork and plenty of laughter. It is become a lively gathering spot that everyone looks forward to.

Whether he is helping the women’s group build confidence in their beekeeping skills or getting in another round of drills with the team, Lepani brings dedication, curiosity and genuine community spirit to everything he does.

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