Village Courses

Village Courses (VC)

COURSE BACKGROUND

The village courses programme was introduced in 1972, as part of an international programme initiated in Latin America. The weekend courses cover a range of topics, including marriage, leadership and village relationships in the context of socioeconomic and religious changes in Fiji. The emphasis of the course is on communication skills and encouraging married couples to work as a unit. The course is run by five staff couples supported by other volunteer couples.

The village courses have been extended well beyond the Tutu catchment of Cakaudrove, with courses offered throughout Vanua Levu and extending to the provinces of Naitasiri, Namosi and Rewa. Tutu staff and graduates have participated in these courses in other Pacific Islands, including Tonga and the Solomon Islands. Tutu staff feel that the village courses have provided important links to the community that have contributed positively to recruitment for the long term courses and reinforced their subsequent impact on village life.