I'm honored to win 2nd place in the Service Learning section of the Tufts Global Perspectives Photo Contest. See my entry below:
This is a picture taken while my host family in Fiji celebrated my 21st birthday. I sit on the right with my roommate in my host family (middle), speaking to the village chief. 21st birthdays are important in the region's culture, so my host family decorated the house, fitted us in traditional celebrational dress, and invited the whole village for cake! I was touched by their kindness in celebrating my birthday as they would for a family member. I stayed in Rarabasaga, a small rural village of about 10 houses, this summer as part of my Laidlaw leadership-in-action project. While in the village, I lived with a host family and helped to deliver workshops to village youth (18-35) in climate change and resilience. As a Pacific Island, Fiji is extremely and disproportionally vulnerable to climate change. I learned about how climate change is already impacting people's traditional ways of life and their livelihoods. I return to Tufts even more passionate about climate justice and ensuring those most impacted by the climate crisis have a voice in this fight and receive the resources they deserve and need. My time immersed in village life taught me patience and gave me the opportunity to strengthen my communication skills, but I have also forged deep connections with the families who welcomed me as one of their own. This photo is a great demonstration of just that.
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