^{15 August 2024}

RISE’s vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of residents in urban informal settlements by improving the environments in which they live. A crucial way we are measuring this is through bi-annual health and wellbeing surveys. It takes our teams about two months to conduct the surveys with residents across all 12 communities we work with in Suva, Fiji. These surveys help gather essential data on various factors affecting the community, such as healthcare usage patterns and child and respondent wellbeing.

Forging trusting relationships with residents is essential for this research. Residents’ participation is voluntary, and it is vital that they are well-informed about the research to make an informed decision to participate.

To understand how our teams are building and maintaining these relationships, we spoke with our newest Community Fieldworkers based in Suva — Oni Lewakulati, Mesuilame Ramacake, and Sereana Seavula — as they conducted their first health and wellbeing surveys with residents. Their unique insights shed light on the significance of this research and the crucial relationships being built with our partner communities.

Oni Lewakulati: Building bridges through dialogue

For Lewakulati, the initial experience of interviewing residents was challenging yet eye-opening. "It was quite challenging for me, conducting thorough interviews with community members for the first time," she reflected. "Each survey was in-depth and allowed me to deeply engage with residents. These conversations pushed me to think critically and understand the broader issues affecting people's lives.

_{Community Fieldworker Oni Lewakulati conducts a health and wellbeing survey with a resident at an informal settlement in Suva, Fiji.}

Memorable moments stood out for Lewakulati, especially the joy and appreciation expressed by the community members. "Over the past weeks, meeting residents from diverse backgrounds has been incredibly rewarding," she observed. "It's clear to me that building a strong community goes beyond mere connections; it's about creating meaningful experiences and leaving a positive impact. These encounters have shown me the importance of valuing and appreciating every community member."

Mesuilame Ramacake: Navigating challenges with respect and engagement

Ramacake navigated the initial meetings with residents by respecting their personal situations, providing clear communication, transparency and active listening. “Upon carrying out this research project for the past three months, I was well-trained and equipped with good knowledge of how to carry out the surveys,'' Ramacake explained.

Ramacake did note an initial hesitancy among residents unfamiliar with him. "One of the hurdles was conducting surveys with residents who haven't met me before, and were seeking reassurance about my identity," he reflected. "This required patience, sensitivity, and a sincere approach to building trust."

Ramacake highlighted the importance of clear communication and confidentiality: "Different people require simple language and clear explanations to ensure their information is handled with sensitivity and confidentiality."

_{Community Fieldworker Mesuilame Ramacake conducts a health and wellbeing survey with a resident at an informal settlement in Suva, Fiji.}

Sereana Seavula: Understanding and engaging with the community

Seavula’s early engagements were pivotal in shaping her understanding of the needs in informal settlements. "My early interactions across the 12 communities during field surveys have exposed me to various emotional realities experienced by residents," she shared.

"While these settlements hold promise for people living there, there remains a glaring lack of essential infrastructure supporting their health and wellbeing, such as clean water, adequate sewage systems, and durable housing."

Looking ahead, Seavula is focused on building trust and effectively engaging with residents. "My initial experiences have provided valuable insights into the diverse personalities of the surveyed residents, their receptiveness, and community dynamics," she explained. "Understanding how residents organise and represent themselves is crucial for effective future engagements. I am eager to continue building rapport and establishing trusting relationships with residents and communities across all 12 sites."

Cover image: Community Fieldworker Sereana Seavula conducts a health and wellbeing survey with a resident at an informal settlement in Suva, Fiji.