Malo e lelei Vava'u!

G’day! As the new Australian volunteer at VEPA I thought I should write a quick introduction about myself and what I hope to be doing here in 2014.

My name is Eileen “Kat” Tuite and I will be working within the VEPA office for 12 months in the volunteer position of Environmental Education Program Trainer. My role here is to work with the local staff and volunteers to assist in creating suitable environmental education programs that they can deliver to the community and schools within Vava’u. During my time here I hope to contribute to VEPA’s venture in increasing awareness of conservation and environmental issues, as well as encouraging engagement with environmentally sustainable initiatives in ways that serve to effectively manage environmental issues at a community level. 

I have a background in teaching Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Science in secondary schools in Australia. Prior to that I completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours at the Australian National University, with majors in Zoology, and Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology. I have worked with Australia’s CSIRO on ecological research projects, and have volunteered with wildlife rescue groups in both Australia and Vietnam.

I am a keen environmentalist, and whilst teaching Science in secondary schools I worked to integrate concepts of sustainability and environmental issues into the curriculum and students’ lives. I have always been particularly passionate about wildlife conservation, but I am also known to be an avid composter, an enthusiastic recycler, and a bit of a green-thumb in the garden.

In all my travels so far I have rarely seen a place as spectacularly beautiful as Vava’u, it is truly a place that needs to be conserved and maintained for future generations. I am excited to have this opportunity to live in Vava’u, and I am looking forward to working alongside the students and communities in contributing to vital environmental conservation efforts.

So until you here from me next time,

Toki sio!