Klemm Fellowship in Fiji: Learning From the Little Ones

After spending three weeks with young children in Fiji, in the small village of Dranikula, I got a glimpse of the vibrant Fijian life and culture. Every day began with a hearty breakfast with children already at the door, excited for kindergarten. Together, we would walk to the city hall every morning where I would spend the next few hours teaching them the alphabet, numbers, body parts, colors, etc. Within the first few days, I had met countless friendly faces, all under the age of 6 and yet they were energetic, loving, and full of life. They had curiosity about where I had come from in the same way I was curious about how they lived. My days in Fiji covered everything from learning the Fijian language to walking along the beautiful beaches and even partaking in Kava Barrel, a lively community festival. Seeing how happy these children were despite their modest lifestyle, was a moment of inspiration for me. The Klemm Fellowship gave a chance to reflect and gain an appreciation for the little things in life, the same way the young children do.