For the past couple years, Jon was an ESL Instructor for adult classes and trains future ESL teachers in Charleston, South Carolina. After spending three summers with Global Works in New Zealand and Fiji, he finally picked up and headed down to Raglan to settle for good (or for now, at least). 
Harry is not only a Kiwi but a local from the Bay of islands where the Global Works participants will be starting their trip. After completing his degree last fall, he has spent the last six months travelling and especially snowboarding in Canada! 
Lyssa is polishing her gumboots and practicing the Taki taki to get ready for another summer in New Zealand and Fiji. Lyssa is no stranger to the concept of working and volunteering to see the world. Welcome Global Works travelers, parents and friends. We are excited to share with you trip updates from around the world. As our main office receives updates from the trips we will update the page as we receive news from the field.
The New Zealand / Fiji Group has arrived safely and their trip is off to a great start! We will be posting in the next few days with further updates and photos. Stay tuned…
Update # 1:
After nearly three days of traveling we finally made it to New Zealand. During our plane to Fiji from the U.S., the group had lots of time to get to know one another, and as we are finding out, the long travel days are worth it! When we arrived at the Glade Lodge we were welcomed by volunteers from the town who cooked us a delicious home-cooked meal. The best part of the whole day was definitely being able to take a shower after our long days of travel. Although bonding in the airport and playing cards for was an experience, we were all so glad to finally be in beautiful New Zealand.
On the first full day of the trip, we had a blast. We ventured down to Cathedral Cove to do some team bonding exercises. We had a great time on the beach and taking in the views. After, the day continued with the group heading to hot water beach and experiencing a natural phenomenon. This was the climax of the day and we all had fun swimming from hot pool to cool pool. We all can’t wait to see what great adventures are to come.
Narnia! Today we returned to Hahei beach for some exciting sea kayaking. We sea kayaked out to Cathedral Cove. Our guides were great and had a lot of local knowledge, not to mention the great hot chocolate they made for us on the beach. We heard about how people first got to New Zealand. The local history involved Kupe the Polynesian explorer and Captain Cook. We also learned about the islands and how they were named. For example, the town of Hahei means the breath of Hei, Hei being a Maori leader of Ngati Hei.
If there is one thing we have learned today, it is that New Zealanders are very helpful and friendly.
We’ll report more from the field soon!
Update #2:
Day 4
Today the group packed in our vans and headed to a local school called Hikuai. When we arrived we were greeted by the schools representatives which showed us around the school and introduced the principal. The Global Works members were brought to a yard where we did our first day of community service. We churned dirt and cleared a stream so water could drain properly. While we were working a local student challenged us to a game of soccer, we ended up playing the entire school after lunch. After that the school representatives showed us around the classes and we learned more about schools in New Zealand while getting to talk and interview the classes we went into.
Day 5
Pack up! We’re off to Rotorua. This morning we got to sleep in before cleaning up the “Glade,” and filing back into the vans. We had several hours in the road but we stopped in Tairua for lunch. Later on we arrived at the KiwiPaka, checked out the hot mud pools that were behind our hostel and played in the park. The geothermal pool was a great way to relax at the end of the day and mingle with tourists from around the world.
Day 6
Today was extremely fun. We saw beautiful sights and learned a ton about Maori culture. The best part of the day was when we got to see the traditional dances. Ben was selected to the chief and a part of this duty meant accepting a sign of peace before entered the building. After the ceremony we wandered around the grounds at a place called Te Puia. There were mud pools and gysers that shot up water fifty feet in the air. We came back home and gathered our dirty laundry. Clean clothes are so nice. After dinner we played Kiwi Jeopardy and my team lost. We ended the evening by soaking in the pool.
Day 7
Today the true genuine nature of our building friendships were put to a test during the intense high ropes course. After an early morning, we ate, packed up the vans and set out to our next journey. At Rock n’ Ropes the activity required some courage but everyone enjoyed themselves in the end. Our teamwork skills proved to be sufficient as we completed the low ropes course successfully. It took a few tries, but we eventually accomplished the task. After Rock n’ Ropes everyone ate lunch and settled in the vans for the drive to our third stop in New Zealand, Raglan. We settled in at the Karioi Lodge and ate a fabulous BBQ dinner at the dining table in the common room. After filling up on meat and chocolate cake we all went to the barn to swap 4th of July stories. It was tiring but enjoyable day. Happy 4th!
Day 8
Today was our first service day in Raglan and all of us feel the hard work we did both physically and mentally. After swaddling ourselves in every article of clothing we own in preparation for the cold outdoors, we walked a little ways to the farm we would be assisting. Yesterday we discussed how our diet would consist of organic foods for the next few days, so it was exciting to partake in the growing, cleaning, and preparation of the food that we and others in the community would eat. Kia Waka, the founder of the farm, taught us about the importance of respecting nature and your environment without needing to be rewarded by money in return. The appreciation and beauty of nature is often neglected in the US, therefor, weeding and digging alongside friends and the beautiful New Zealand landscape was enlightening. Although weeding caked our knees in mud and digging in trenches made our backs ache, everyone left satisfied with the opportunity and the usual workers were grateful for our effort. The long day concluded with a cool walk on the beach and a delicious pasta feast. All of us will sleep easily tonight.
Day 9
Gosh dang it, our bodies ache from a great day of hard work! We trekked back to Kai Whenenua Organic Farm today to finish our strawberry field (forever.) Our work was enjoyable while it was also enlightening. Through the duration of the trip, I’ve felt a cover being pulled from my proverbial eyes. Everyday I learn about ways that I can give back instead of take or reuse instead of just toss away. In every step we take forward on this journey together, I continue to see the dedication and compassion interwoven in the hearts of others…this fact warms my own. Our little strawberries will grow as we grow, day by day.
Although I miss my peeps back home, I am immersed in service work and leaning, whether it be about myself, the world, or others.
Day 10
Today was a beautiful day in Raglan, which was perfect for our service project on the farm. Today we learned about Permaculture from two very amazing people. We put our skills to the test as we all worked together to build a compost pile. After our long day of work we wen into town and we played amazing race Global Works style. It was so much fun. We went around to certain shops in Raglan and we had to answer certain questions about New Zealand and the town of Raglan. We came back to where we are staying and we had an amazing dinner made by the lovely Karina. Then we topped off the day with a Kiwi style dessert called Milo cake. Today was extremely fun and I learned a lot about farming and permaculture.
Update #3:
Day 11 -
Today we traveled to Xtreme Waste and had a full day learning about recycling. Rick took us on a tour and showed us the many different activities that take place there. Despite the freezing cold weather, our group learned a lot about worms, recyclable tires, condensing material to preserve space, and recycling plastic, paper, and glass. Rick explained to us the closed loop, meaning that everything is reused and nothing should go to waste. After lunch, we all worked together to make multiple rat traps. Later that day, we all drove up the winding roads to a beautiful view on top of a mountain next to the water. We sat on top of the hill to watch the sun set, but the cold weather started to take its toll on us as we ran back up the hill to the vans. That night was our friend Ben’s surprise birthday party up on the barn. We all dressed up in our silly costumes that we got in the thrift shop at Xtreme Waste earlier that day. Ben was very surprised and loved the party that we all threw for him. We all danced and celebrated Ben’s birthday together. It was a great ending to a full, fantastic day.
Day 12 -
Today, we had a fun-filled hard working learning experience. After consuming some eggs, toast, and cereal for breakfast, we headed over to a community park in Raglan. The job was to create two rather large flower beds. This task consisted of a few steps. It began with the first pierce of the soft ground with our spades. Digging in to the grass was a fun activity, making piles of rectangularly shaped pieces. Break relieved us for a few minutes and then we were back at it, some of us forming the second garden and the others laying cardboard and mulch down. The first garden was finished and all hands were sent to finish up the next one. The intense part of the day was over and two immense piles of dirt sat next to each flower bed. The ride home brought talk of laundry and the girls were excited. Everyone changed into some nice-but not- formal outfits and we went into town to Costa’s pizza which was amazing. That ended a great day of satisfied work and a reward of pizza.
Day 13 -
Today we all awoke to a beautiful morning. It was our last day of service work and we were all eager to start the day. We began the day with a trash pick up along the beach, where we all found interesting items such as shoes, clothes, and an army figurine. We started the morning wearing heaps of layers, but as our trash bags became heavier and the sun beat down our backs, we were comfortable in as little as a t-shirt. After enjoying our packed lunches, we drove to the community park to finish our fruit forests. Community members were there to help, and many hands made light work. The final step was to plant the fruit plants, and it was rewarding to see our hard work complete. At the end of the day, Jackie, a community member, gathered us around the fruit forest joining hands and she recited a Maori prayer which was the perfect ending to our hard working day.
Update #4:
Day 14: Today we enjoyed a much needed lazy morning. After many days of hard service work it was nice to relax for a couple hours. Following numerous games of pool and cards, we devoured a homemade bowl of pumpkin soup courtesy of our personal chief. We spent our afternoon learning how to surf at Ngaiuiu Beach. The water was piercingly cold but we persevered and we were able to enjoy a rewarding experience in the waves of Raglan. Although we were all numb when we out of the ocean, we felt a strong sense of pride from all that we accomplished.
Day 15: Today we said our last goodbyes in Raglan and headed to our last stop in New Zealand, Auckland. After a slightly chaotic morning, the vans were eventually packed up and we drove a half hour to Bridal Veil Falls before the long drive to the city. When we got to Auckland, we settled into Surf n’ Snow backpackers for a nights stay and headed out to shop for souvenir s. The city was beautiful and quite bustling, very different from our previous destinations in New Zealand. We only had a few hours, but everyone successfully bought the souvenirs they wanted. After shopping we got changed into some nice clothes and walked to Mai Thai for dinner. The food was delicious and it was a great closing dinner for our time in this beautiful country. After eating, we as a group wrote postcards to our future selves before heading to bed. It was a great last day in New Zealand.
Day 16: Today was out last day in New Zealand. We woke up early and a few of us went around for breakfast at places like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. It was a little bit chilly, but the perfect weather for leaving New Zealand and moving onto our next adventure in Fiji. We left for Nadi at 1:00 pm arriving at 4:00 pm. It was nice to feel the heat! Once we got all our belongings from the airport we started our two hour bus ride to the Voli Voli Eco-Lodge Resort. While on the bus we listened to all sorts of music and tried to get some rest. Once we arrived at the eco-lodge, we met another Global Works trip who had been in Fiji their entire stay. They showed us around the beautiful lodge and we all got to know a little bit about each other. After a long day of traveling we were all ready to go to bed for our upcoming day in Fiji.
Day 17: Today was one of the most leisurely days of the whole trip. Everyone woke up early and soaked up the sun. It was a refreshing change from New Zealand’s winter. We were all extremely happy to be on “Fiji time,” and have a relaxing day. We played a game of volleyball and relaxed by the beach. After lunch we went into town and split up into groups to get food for dinner. When we got back to the Voli Voli Eco-Resort we were greeted by a man named Ruben who showed us how to do the Sevu Sevu ceremony, a traditional ceremony in Fiji, to prepare for the actual one we will participate in at the Togovere village. We tried Kava, which is drink made from a dried and beaten root, which has a very odd taste. It was good to be able to try it before we have to drink it in the village and also learn some cultural rules to follow while we are there. Afterwards, we cooked a delicious meal and packed up our things with excitement and anxiety about leaving for the Togovere Village.
Day 18: Upon the arrival to the village most of us had a nervous but excited feeling. Dressed up in our Sulus, traditional skirts, we were ready to participate and be greeted by a Sevu Sevu. Drinking the Kava and interacting with the community put everyone to ease. Emily, a villager, gave a tour of the village and after we received a delicious lunch made by the women in the village. Soon after, we were all eager to meet our Nau’s which means mother. They were all extremely welcoming and it was a humbling experience. After settling into our houses with another Global Works student, we had a chance to learn and talk more to our Nau’s. The Nau’s made us all feel extremely comfortable right away, and we soon learned that we could trust them and ask them for anything. The Fijians are truly the nicest people in the world.
Day 20: After we were settled into the village, it was time to start our community service. Previous Global Works groups had started a concrete driveway leading up the village community center, which we are going to help finish. Many of the Fijians came out to help and it was great to get to work side by side with the very people we are helping. Once we finished for the day, we all went back to our homes to take refreshing bucket showers. We then hung out with our families. Many of us were lucky enough to have the village children, (who happen to be our siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews) come by and teach us the Taki Taki, a Fijian dance, which we would have to perform later that evening. We were also taught many other Fijian hand games and songs. The kids were extremely friendly and we all shared a laugh when the Global Works students messed up, which we did often. We were then treated to another incredibly delicious meal. After we had said our thank you’s, it was time for the welcome. After we had said our thank you’s, it was time for the welcome celebration. We were seated at the front and showed the village our disheveled version of The Cotton Eyed Joe. We were then treated to many, “high tide” full bowls of Kava and then had to display our new found dance knowledge of the Taki Taki, thankfully the kids danced with us. Many high tides of Kava were passed around and many dances were danced, until it was time for bed.
Photos coming soon!
Update #5:
Day 20: Today we enjoyed a day with our Fijian families. We ate breakfast with our extended families and met more of our relatives. We all felt right at home as we ate homemade treats and drank tea together. We received special dress Sulus from our Nau’s, (Mothers) and we went to church with our families. Although the sermon was in Fijian you could easily see the sense of community and warmth in everyone’s eyes. We spent the rest of the day with our families, eating chatting, and some of us even learned how to weave bracelets. We had fun playing with our Fijian brothers and sisters, especially when they took us to a sugar cane farm and we tried sugar cane…yum! It was nice to spend they day bonding with our families and be welcomed into the community.
Day 21: Today the group, went to VataKalolo Secondary School to work on a couple of projects. We are becoming experts at concrete mixing and smoothing, which is what we did at the school. Running a little late, we are all on Fiji time now, we went out to the staked out space for the new walkway and began filling the space with rocks and wire. We poured it generously into the space and smoothed it out. The wind provided some relief from the intense heat, we left the school looking forward to going there again the next day.
Day 22: Today we went back to the VataKalolo School. We were broken up into four teams; team laptop, team plants, team concrete, and team Origami Whales. In the laptop group it was fun to work with the Fijian students and surprising to see that kids my age, some even older who had never seen or typed on a computer before. It was nice to see the students faces when they learned how to do something. We returned home after a thank you ceremony from the school and we were welcomed by our families who had just finished our handmade dresses for us to wear on the closing celebration evening. Adorned with flower necklaces, beautiful new dresses, and woven bracelets we made made our way over to the incredibly decorated community hall. We played with the kids for about an hour before dinner. We all had a delicious meal to signify the end of a wonderful time in the TogoVere Village.
