Theresa Rakai joined NatureFiji-MareqetiViti as an Intern in March, 2018, after attaining her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies from the University of the South Pacific, where her studies focused on Geography, Biology, Economics and Geographic Information System (GIS).  As an intern at NF-MV, Theresa’s primary effort focused on assisting with research and transcribing data. Whilst an intern, she also participated in a two-day GIS training in which she attained a Certificate of Proficiency in Community-based GIS Mapping, which enabled her to produce maps necessary for the organisation’s projects.

While still a student, Theresa volunteered on a variety of environmental projects: in the area of marine science, she assisted the cChange organisation in the 4FJ Campaign to protect kawakawa and donu (two types of grouper); and in the field of GIS, she conducted socio-economic surveys on Gau Island. Theresa also helped with data collection as a Research Assistant undertaking one-on-one interviews with Micro/Small/Medium Enterprise owners-managers around Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Theresa is an active member of the World Wildlife Fund Pacific Volunteers Program. As an intern at NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, she gained more practical field experience and will pursue further studies towards a Postgraduate diploma in the field of Environment and GIS.