The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Fiji Team 2 has successfully concluded its healthy eating education program at Korotogo Andhra Sangam Primary School in Sigatoka, which ran from August to December 2025. This initiative aimed to promote health and sustainable living among students and the local community, tackling significant public health challenges facing Fijian children and youth.
Team leader Ra Hanna expressed gratitude for the chance to help students embrace healthier habits both in school and at home. She shared that the most fulfilling moments were not merely completing the sessions but witnessing the joy and pride on the students’ faces during the entire farm-to-table process. Hanna also highlighted the encouraging commitment from parents to incorporate these healthy practices at home.
Hanna conveyed her hope that the initiatives introduced would leave a lasting impact on the community rather than becoming a distant memory. “I truly believe they have become a precious foundation for a brighter, healthier future for all these students,” she stated.
To ensure the program’s sustainability, the team developed customized lesson plans and guidebooks specifically designed for teachers to encourage continued health education independently. These resources are intended to provide long-term benefits and promote active engagement with health and environmental issues within the school community.
The program has inspired actionable steps regarding nutrition and wellness, cultivating a culture of healthy living in the Sigatoka region. Activities included reviving the school garden, where students collaborated with local agriculture experts to cultivate and maintain garden plots specific to their classes, thus reinforcing their connection to sustainable practices.
As students enjoyed the healthy salads made from their own homegrown vegetables, the positive impact of the initiative became evident. The conclusion of the sessions featured a celebration of their newfound knowledge and habits, signaling a hopeful outlook for healthier lifestyles within their community in the future.