Help create cool little photography exhibitions in Fiji

In 2015, Dean and I sailed around the South Pacific, just after Cyclone Pam. We saw villages ripped from their roots, and incredible stories of getting back on track. We talked to people who had different ways of looking at climate change, and how they are adapting - some were silent and scared, some were taking action (like going back to traditional ways of storing coconut milk in the ground, like a kind of cottage cheese), and some were fighting in the space of climate justice. Others, just wanted to be heard.

I came back at wanted to know more. So I enrolled in the master's programme at Victoria University of Wellington, looking at climate change adaptation in the Pacific. This year I will sail back to Fiji, to the town of Levuka, on Ovalau Island, and listen to people about their concerns about climate change. Dean will, of course, be the sailing Skipper!

I will be using photography as a way to connect with people as well as a way to give back. I don't believe in doing research "on" people - I want to do research "for" people. If I can create little community photography exhibitions as I go, and leave photos behind, I will be giving something back by creating a living memory of people and their physical places: who knows when the next cyclone will come and destroy again.

PS: It's my 50th birthday this year and I won't be here to accept your massive birthday present - so feel free to donate to this project instead!