By Emma Charlston, Marketing and Communications Coordinator CUFA

When you think Fiji, you think umbrella cocktails, resort pools and picturesque vistas. For those embarking on the CUFA Fiji Leadership Challenge, it will be a completely different experience, one of discovery and personal development.

The Challengers have done a phenomenal effort to reach their fundraising targets and find support for nine new Village Entrepreneurs across Cambodia and Timor Leste. It could be argued that the hardest part of the Challenge is behind them.

The Challengers have held Trivia Nights, ‘Frocked Up Fridays’, BBQ’s, found supporters in the most unlikely of places and been humbled by the generosity of friends, family and complete strangers.

Ahead of them lies 70km of kayaking, which some are more prepared for than others. Debbie Ryan from CUA, is up for the task having had plenty of preparation on her Outrigger Canoe, Lisa Northill from Macquarie Credit Union has sat in a kayak for a photo opportunity in a backyard swimming pool and Jess Stevens from My Credit Union, who was awarded the NGS Super Scholarship, went kayaking for the first time over the Easter Long Weekend! The Challenge is set to inspire a range of emotions from the sheer perseverance required to complete the kayaking, to spending time with locals, listening to the challenges and successes of Fijian Credit Unions and discovering how CUFA’s programs are helping those in need across the Asia Pacific.
CUFA’s Leadership Challenge Program has been running since 2007, raising tens of thousands for CUFAs work. The 2014 Challengers have already raised more than $24,000!
Places are now open for our Cambodia Challenge; please head to our website for more information and to apply.

Follow the progress of our Fiji Challengers on our Facebook page