Malibu resident Brooke Kawana recently delivered used computers, sports equipment and board games to the children of Nabila Public School in Fiji. Kawana, who will attend Harvard-Westlake School in the fall, made the donation as a part of her service-learning project.
The 12-year-old Malibu native first visited Fiji last summer with her family and noticed that it appeared many Fijians lived in poverty. She spent time fishing, playing volleyball and baking with the local Fijians. After forming a connection with the local people, Kawana decided she wanted to help the children of Nabila Village.
Through her research and communication with the head teacher of Nabila Public School, Kawana learned that approximately 40 percent of Fijians live in poverty and the average income of a family from Nabila Village is $2,000 per year. Additionally, she learned students had to travel to town to type and print their papers at a cost of one dollar per page because the school didn’t have computers for the students to use.
Kawana reached out to family, friends and classmates in an effort to collect used computers and sporting equipment to bring back to Fiji. Her collection was successful, and this summer she delivered seven computers, a printer and toner to the students of Nabila Public School. In addition to the computers, Kawana also brought soccer balls, volleyballs and board games to give to the students.
Upon her return, Kawana was greeted by the students and teachers and was welcomed with a traditional Fijian kava ceremony. Parents, teachers and students expressed their appreciation, and Kawana spent the afternoon playing volleyball, soccer and frisbee with the students.