Giving back to the Pacific: Amina's journey rooted in service
Born and raised in Porirua, Wellington, VSA volunteer Amina Uitime brings a strong sense of identity, purpose and connection to her work in the Pacific. Being of Samoan heritage, her roots continue to shape both her perspective and her commitment to giving back. Now volunteering as an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Counsellor with Empower Pacific, she is using her skills to support communities across Fiji.
Amina’s path into AOD wasn’t something she had always planned. Growing up, she had dreamed of becoming a nurse, inspired by caring for her Nana during visits to Auckland. “I never intended on being in the alcohol and other drugs field, it kind of just happened,” she says. But after over eight years working as a clinician across NGOs and district health services, her passion for supporting people through addiction, particularly within Pasifika communities, steadily grew, and she found herself caring for others in a different way. “My passion has grown, especially amongst my Pasifika community where there is a major need for drug and alcohol support,” she says.
That passion, combined with a drive to give back, ultimately led her to volunteer through Volunteer Service Abroad Te Tūao Tāwāhi (VSA) in Fiji. “Being of Pacific descent, I have always wanted to give back in some way to the Pacific Islands…once I was a bit more established in my career. When the opportunity to volunteer with Empower Pacific in Fiji arose, it felt like the right next step. “I was also in a place in my career where I felt like I could be doing more…and then this volunteer role came up and it just felt right.”
In Fiji, Amina’s role has been both foundational and far-reaching. When she began with Empower Pacific, there was no existing AOD service. Much of her work has focused on building that foundation, including developing training materials, supporting programme design and helping shape new initiatives. “Every day is different,” she says. From administrative support and proposal development, to travelling across the country to deliver workshops, her work spans both strategy and community engagement.
Central to her role is supporting the people who will carry this work forward. Amina works closely with counsellors and social workers, offering guidance on AOD cases and delivering training across Fiji. She facilitated ten online training modules covering topics such as harm reduction, withdrawal management and relapse prevention, alongside in-person workshops on group facilitation. These efforts have helped strengthen local capability while ensuring programmes are grounded in both clinical knowledge and cultural context.
Amina’s work also responds to some urgent and complex challenges. Fiji, like many countries, is navigating complex challenges related to alcohol and other drug use. In some communities, there has been an increase in substance use, including among young people, alongside broader public health concerns such as HIV transmission linked to unsafe practices like needle sharing. At the same time, limited access to specialised AOD services and ongoing stigma in the community can make it harder for individuals and families to seek support. Through training, awareness sessions and programme development, Amina has worked alongside local partners to strengthen understanding, reduce harm and support more accessible and culturally appropriate responses within communities.
One area of change she has witnessed is in attitudes towards harm reduction. “The concept of harm reduction…was quite new when I started my assignment,” she explains. However, through ongoing collaboration with staff and communities, Amina says she has seen a gradual shift in understanding and acceptance. “The counsellors have shared some awesome stories of the community response…especially amongst the youth and village leaders.”
Beyond programmes and training, Amina shares that relationships have been at the centre of her experience. Building trust with local staff and communities, often through shared meals, laughter and conversation, has been key. These connections have not only strengthened her work but deepened her understanding of the community and context she is working in.
Some moments have also underscored the importance of this work in a deeply personal way. Early on in her time in Fiji, Amina recalls assessing a 14-year-old boy who had been admitted to hospital after a particularly difficult period in his life. Through that experience, he was able to access care, learn more about his health, and begin receiving the support he needed moving forward. It also highlighted the importance of awareness and early intervention, not just for individuals but for families and communities. Moments like this continue to ground her work, reminding her of the resilience of young people and the real difference that timely support and education can make.
During a visit from the NZ Minister of Customs and Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Casey Costello and delegates meeting with the Empower Pacific team to discuss AOD issues and initiatives.
Reflecting on her time in Fiji, Amina says simply, “I’ll never be the same after this experience.” Her volunteer experience has expanded her perspective, challenged her assumptions and strengthened her connection to the Pacific. “The longer I’ve been in Fiji, the more I’ve changed as a person…connecting with people outside of my usual bubble and discovering things I enjoy both personally and professionally.”
Amina’s advice to others considering volunteering is equally grounded: “If the assignment aligns, go for it! Take the risk.” For her, the experience has been shaped not just by the work itself, but by everything around it. “The things you do outside of your assignment is where you gain a richer experience,” she says. As her assignment draws close to an end, one thing remains clear – her commitment to the Pacific is only growing. When asked what she hopes will continue beyond her time in Fiji, her answer is simple and heartfelt: “My passion for the Pacific.”
Amina during a visit to a village in the Province of Ra to run AOD awareness sessions.