Fiji Kids Backpacks Project - A moment with Sheree Rarasea

Last year, 40 backpacks were filled with essentials, toys and clothes and donated to the less fortunate children of Votua Village in the Fiji Islands. This project was organised by Sheree Rarasea and her family, and was made possible by the generosity of family and friends within Australia.  Read on as Sheree tells us a little about herself, the project and how you can help in 2011....

I am a mother of three boys with one on the way. My husband was born in Fiji and is from Kadavu Island.  After visiting the villages in Fiji last year in June 2010, on holiday with my family, we realised the poverty and devastation that this country is faced with. Since that visit, I have devoted much of my time to helping the children there. Our aim is to bring as many smiles to the faces of the children throughout the Pacific Islands as possible,by providing them with some school and home essentials.

My husband and I returned to Fiji in November 2010 and delivered 40 backpacks donated by friends and family in Australia to the children in Votua Village, Coral Coast.

We also did face painting and held a small Christmas party.  The children enjoyed ice-creams, lollies and biscuits. This was something the the children had never experienced and an experience I know they cherished. The children were very proud wearing the bags when attending the school on the Monday.

The expenses for this event were funded soley by our family and all the backpacks were kindly donated by friends and family.

This year we are planning an even bigger event as I have just lodged my application to register as a charity that will focus on helping the children affected by poverty throughout the Pacific Islands. 

Once we have confirmed registration, we will commence fundraising to ship a 20ft container from Brisbane to Fiji. Our goal is for this container to have insde 320+ filled backpacks, a playground for Votua Village, Coral Coast, and other various christmas gifts for the children. 

We would like to encourage families to get together with their children, communities and schools throughout Australia to fill a backpack to give to a child in the Fiji Islands. 

The sponsor in Australia will receive a 'Kids Who Care' certificate of appreciation from us to show our appreciation of their kindness and contribution to the project.  If they would like a letter from the child who receives the backpack in Fiji, this can also be arranged. 

We hope this will encourage children in Australia to be giving and show more love and compassion to children in societies less fortunate.

For further information on this event or to make a donation to this years project please

email pacificsmiles@hotmail.com

or visit our Facebook Page

Vinaka ('thank you')

Sheree Rarasea