Although Fiji is well known for its beautiful beaches and five-star resorts, 34 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line. An estimated 140,000 people currently live in substandard housing conditions in informal housing settlements, and that number is increasing. Special education is an especially challenging issue in rural, hard-to-reach communities, especially in informal settlements where many young families can’t access early education options.

Many schools do not have the space they need to accommodate the number of students that are enrolled. Because of this, multiple grade levels will share the same classroom, making it difficult for students to pay attention and for teachers to spend quality time with individual students.

This summer, HXP Builders will building a three block classroom for a women’s center. They will use this space as a meeting house for classes, support meetings, and a cyclone shelter.