Just booked our first trip to Fiji. (Beqa Lagoon) I have read in a couple of post here that school supplies are greatly appreciated. We would like to take something but have no idea what to bring. I was wondering if a bunch of pocket calculators would be ok, am open to suggestions. It just can't be to heavy.
fiji trip (school supplies)
- Thread starter mike jj
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We went last April and tried to do the same thing. But with the baggage fees (including carry on weight limits) so tight, it was hard to bring anything other than our personal gear. We did band together and split the fees up for a couple bags. They appreciate anything you can bring them- you just have to be creative about how you do so.
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I think the next time I go to Beqa Lagoon Resort( we loved it by the way), I would see who of my friends have old laptops they are no longer using, and then get as many together as possible....and then ship to the resort...I would email the Resort to see if they have a method for this utilizing educational contributions, etc., for shipping overseas. There has to be some smart way to take advantage of stuff like this that we have easy access to, that their School kids need desparately....They really need computers....
I was there in September/October, just a couple of months ago, and they were in the process of getting computers for the kids. While I think anything you bring would be greatly appreciated (we weren't sure either and just ended up donating money), try emailing Mark the Beqa Lagoon Resort manager and see what he says. Most of the people working at the resort have kids at the school, so they'll know what's needed at this particular time.
fiji_diver
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Bula Mike,
It is a very kind thought to bring things for the kids when you come to Fiji. On the whole they have most of what they need in school and it is a bit hard to guess what might be in short supply. It's not fair to compare as US or European schools will, in absolute terms, have far more than Fiji schools. No one expects you to bring a gift, but they will, not surprisingly, be very grateful if you do. Computers are a thought, but please check with the resort / school. Cost of ownership for older stuff can be high especially if it is a brand not commonly sold in Fiji. Asus, Toshiba, HP and Dell probably account for most of what is used. Fiji plugs are the Australia type not US and we run 240 volts so sometimes extra bits are needed. Of course it is a matter for you, but here is my suggestion.
A big problem for many families in Fiji is school fees which are relatively small and charged at all schools. This is especially true of secondary education when many kids have to go off the island and possibly board, to which they have to add book costs. These are yearly costs that rarely go down. If you find yourselves so inclined. perhaps you could consider an annual donation for a specific child. The resort may well be happy to administer this for you or if not, then direct to the school might be doable. It is a small sum for those of us fortunate to have well paying jobs, but to a villager in Fiji, it can be huge. The amount varies a bit but you are probably talking about under $US150 per anum per child. Now that is still quite a lot for one person to give but if a small group adopts a child's education, then it is far less of a strain and of course any amount is a help even if it is not the full fee. Just leaving cash when you depart is not, on the whole, a good idea. When times are tough, priorities change, and the funds might not get used for what you intended despite initial good intentions.
The benefit of this is it is sustainable, hopefully, and can have deep reaching, positive effects for the child, their family and onwards so the next generation will not need the generosity of visitors so we can break the cycle of dependency that pervades much of Pacific society especially in Fiji.
Ok, that's my 10 cents worth, and yes, I do practice what I preach in various forms including supporting people getting into the dive industry.
Have a great trip to Beqa.
Yours,
Greg
It is a very kind thought to bring things for the kids when you come to Fiji. On the whole they have most of what they need in school and it is a bit hard to guess what might be in short supply. It's not fair to compare as US or European schools will, in absolute terms, have far more than Fiji schools. No one expects you to bring a gift, but they will, not surprisingly, be very grateful if you do. Computers are a thought, but please check with the resort / school. Cost of ownership for older stuff can be high especially if it is a brand not commonly sold in Fiji. Asus, Toshiba, HP and Dell probably account for most of what is used. Fiji plugs are the Australia type not US and we run 240 volts so sometimes extra bits are needed. Of course it is a matter for you, but here is my suggestion.
A big problem for many families in Fiji is school fees which are relatively small and charged at all schools. This is especially true of secondary education when many kids have to go off the island and possibly board, to which they have to add book costs. These are yearly costs that rarely go down. If you find yourselves so inclined. perhaps you could consider an annual donation for a specific child. The resort may well be happy to administer this for you or if not, then direct to the school might be doable. It is a small sum for those of us fortunate to have well paying jobs, but to a villager in Fiji, it can be huge. The amount varies a bit but you are probably talking about under $US150 per anum per child. Now that is still quite a lot for one person to give but if a small group adopts a child's education, then it is far less of a strain and of course any amount is a help even if it is not the full fee. Just leaving cash when you depart is not, on the whole, a good idea. When times are tough, priorities change, and the funds might not get used for what you intended despite initial good intentions.
The benefit of this is it is sustainable, hopefully, and can have deep reaching, positive effects for the child, their family and onwards so the next generation will not need the generosity of visitors so we can break the cycle of dependency that pervades much of Pacific society especially in Fiji.
Ok, that's my 10 cents worth, and yes, I do practice what I preach in various forms including supporting people getting into the dive industry.
Have a great trip to Beqa.
Yours,
Greg
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