Nanokonoko: Youthlinc’s Next Adventure in Fiji

In November 2025, Jordan Taylor and I traveled to Fiji to do one of the most important parts of our jobs as Youthlinc program directors: find the next community ready to partner with our Service Year teams. This isn’t just picking a spot on a map. It’s about finding a community ready to collaborate, grow, and make a lasting impact.

We started by revisiting Navolau 1 Village, where our work began in 2023, although we’ve been working in Fiji since 2017. Walking through the village, I was blown away. I first came to Navolau 1 as a team leader, and over the last three years, seven Youthlinc teams have contributed to the community’s growth. The school now has a computer lab and library, the community has washrooms and a medical dispensary, and the men’s and women’s co-ops are thriving with woodworking, sewing, screen printing, and soap-making projects. Even more inspiring was watching the community take ownership. Residents expanded the community center, improved walkways, and maintained homes with their own resources. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes all a community needs is a little spark to see the value in themselves, and the results are remarkable.

Finding the next site is never simple. Months of preparation went into this trip, and once in Fiji, we visited five communities and seven schools, guided by Samresan Reddy, our in-country coordinator, along with representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Rakiraki District Office. These communities were recommended by local officials who know the region best. Each community visit began with a traditional Kava ceremony, where we shared Youthlinc’s vision and learned more about the communities’ goals across education, health, construction, vocational training, cultural exchange, and ecological projects.

From the moment we arrived in Nanokonoko Village, we felt the excitement. The village sits just half a mile from the ocean, tucked between lush mountains, rolling hills, palm trees, and small farms. The school, painted blue and white, sits beside the rugby field where kids play during recess. The energy of the community is contagious. The smiles, laughter, and warmth made it clear that this is a place eager to work with Youthlinc and embrace the opportunities a Service Year brings.

One of my favorite moments was meeting Apisalome Navuaku, the village head leader. Quiet and kind, he showed us their ambitious plans for a Church and Community Evacuation Center, a cyclone-resistant refuge for the entire village. The project is already underway, but they still need to raise roughly $138,000 USD. Seeing their determination, vision, and willingness to invest in themselves made me confident that this partnership will be successful and transformative.

Nanokonoko has big dreams. Students are eager for STEAM education, music, and arts programs. The women’s group wants to expand baking and sewing skills to better support their families. Sixteen homes are ready and waiting for washrooms to be installed. Every corner of the village shows initiative, and we can’t wait to amplify what they are already doing.

As a program director, site visits are both exhausting and exhilarating. We coordinate logistics, build partnerships, and ensure projects are sustainable, but the most rewarding moments come from human connections: the laughter of children, the pride of leaders, and the genuine care of people determined to invest in themselves.

One of the sweetest moments of the trip came while meeting with the Ministry of Education. Mr. Vunisa decided that Jordan and I needed Fijian names. I was given the name Tony, and Jordan received the name Tella, in memory of Mr. Vunisa’s late wife. It was a small gesture, but it carried so much love, appreciation, and connection. Mr. Vunisa’s kindness and humor made working with him an absolute joy.

This trip reminded me why Youthlinc exists. Seeing the growth in Navolau 1 Village and the excitement in Nanokonoko proved that meaningful change happens when communities and volunteers work together. More than that, the love and generosity of the Fijian people left me returning home a better version of myself.

Nanokonoko is ready, motivated, and waiting for Youthlinc teams to join them. The next chapter begins here, and it’s going to be extraordinary.