FIJI National University's College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences played host to a number of enthusiastic and involved youths this week who were taking part in the sixth year of the Fiji Village Project (FVP).
The project was established six years ago by four medical students, two from Fiji, one from Australia and one from New Zealand and has now become almost a culture for medical students of the three countries.
The FVP brings together interested medical students from Fiji, Australia and New Zealand in an attempt to improve the health of people living in villages in Fiji.
This year, the selected villages were Delaitoga, Matailobau and Nabena villages in Naitasiri.
"It's a key project because it focuses on screening people and providing clean water to villages around the country," said college dean Professor Ian Rouse.
"We've seen a lot of students become involved this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this project.
"I have no doubt it'll be a successful one again this year," he said.
New Zealand FVP coordinator Christina Matthews said the work was an honour to be a part of.
"The privilege that we experience as participants to be invited into their homes is one like no other. We work with them to create the ability for changes to improve their daily life," she said.
The project has 30 international students and 35 locals who will work together over the next two weeks to get water supply and health checks to the three villages.
Assistant roko tui Naitasiri Filimoni Taka said the gesture was one that would certainly make a difference to the villagers.