Changing the Culture of Violence in Fiji

REPORT # 2

Five students of the University of the South Pacific and a community worker who trained with Val Hilliker, world renowned ventriloquist and puppeteer, are ready to go out and share what they learned to the wider community and to teach children how to protect themselves from bullying and abuse. Fijian facilitators are already in various communities teaching the five strategies of The Virtues Project. www.virtuesproject.com Puppets and puppet-making help the children to engage in learning strategies that strengthen character so they can become healthy engaged learners.

 We are confident that local donors will continue to support this worthwhile effort. YOU CAN, TOO.

 In addition to the 2-week workshop at USP, Val did shows and workshops throughout Fiji during her 6 weeks there:

- Val returned to Koroipita to continue teaching puppetry as a way for children to learn their virtues and the five strategies of The Virtues Project. It is helping to create a more positive culture of resiliency, self-sufficiency, and stable environment for the children and success for the village. The puppets and Val help the children understand how to protect themselves. Puppets are an excellent way to engage students in their learning. The initial video for Global Giving was made at Koroipita. (a housing joint venture with community development at its heart http://www.rotary9830.org.au/ )

- At a special needs school, two children who had never responded to anything before Val's program, responded to it in a way that has prompted the administration to invite her back to serve all 14 special needs schools in Fiji.

 - TV One after school children’s program, GET SET, was able to reach thousands more children with the puppets. Val showed Ateca, the program's host, how to use the “Virtues Pick” for the moral education section of the show. They showed the viewers how to make 4 different types of puppets out of reclaimed-recycled materials easily found in Fijian homes.