Connected Waters: Reflections on Systems, Sanitation, and Soul in Fiji

Bula! Last November, I spent two weeks in Fiji with the WISH Pacific team. While the trip was technically an assignment, the experience transcended professional obligations. It served as a critical calibration point for my upcoming years in the water sector.

The Systems Perspective: Planetary Health

Day one set the intellectual tone. Aaron artfully presented the rationale behind WISH Pacific, placing human health squarely at the center of ecosystem and planetary health. As an engineer, I was trained in systems thinking, but this presentation forced a recalibration of my understanding. For example, not in many years that I would realize the connection of sanitation and mental health. This made me reflect the principle that "everything is connected to everything else" on another level.

The Human Element: Co-Design and Empathy

The WISH Pacific team proved that technical competence is merely the vessel; 'heart' is the current that moves it forward. They are a capable group, but their power lies in recognizing that solutions cannot be air-dropped—they must be cultivated alongside the end-users.

Their approach cemented my belief that a project's success relies less on the hardware installed and more on the humanity invested.

The WISH Pacific Team. Learn more about the group here: https://wishfiji.sydney.edu.au/

Cultural Resonance: Relational vs. Transactional

The trip was food for the soul. I was struck by the cultural parallels between the Philippines and Fiji. Both nations share a history of struggle against colonization and currently face the brunt of Climate Change. Attending village events: specifically a celebration and a burial, highlighted that our societies are relational, not transactional. We prioritize connection over exchange. I can't help but recall Moana 2: the Pacific Ocean does not separate our islands; it connects them.

Professional Pivot: Putting Faces on Data

From an engineering standpoint, shifting the view of water then wastewater management and sanitation through the lens of Public Health was transformative. It put human faces on the data frameworks I work with. This realization provides a new level of motivation for my current PhD journey. Every analysis I conduct in the future will be treated with heightened care, knowing it links directly to people's lives and souls.

My only regret is that the two weeks were not longer. The timing of this trip was precise, placing my next few years into proper perspective. I look forward to future community visits, more tea sessions, and perhaps another round of Kava.

Vinaka vakalevu, WISH Pacific team! (I am proud of you. HAHAHA!)