Join a group of like minded volunteers to experience and contribute to daily life in a rural Fijian village.
Split your time between a building project and teaching at a local school. Working alongside local builders, staying in the community and spending time with the kids, you'll become an essential part of the community. This project will tackle needs that have been identified by your host community to ensure that your financial and physical investment is sustainable long into the future. Take part in an unique experience where you can really Make A Difference to a Fijian community.
Thank you S-Trip! and Madventurer for showing me I can make a difference!
Please note that this is a sample itinerary only.
Day 1
Arriving on Saturday you will be met at the airport. You will be met by your leader and the rest of the group arriving on your joining date. There will be a brief welcome meeting where your leader will outline a plan for the days ahead, as well as answering any questions you may have. We will travel by local bus (approx. 3 hrs) to the project site and enjoy our first views of beautiful Fiji, with lush forests and white sandy beaches. This be your home for the duration of the project
Days 2-13
Arrival at our project house will be marked by a welcome from our host family, head teacher or community representative. You will have the opportunity to unpack and pick your spot in one of the shared rooms. Group accommodation will be provided by local host families who you will stay with throughout your time in the village. As a guest, you can overcome the barrier that is common between tourist and villager and instead become friends and experience the true way of tribe life and learn to live as they do. Your accommodation and food will be basic; an outdoor washroom containing long drop toilet facilities and a cold water bucket shower. Starchy Carbs will make up your staple diet as this is what the villagers eat. Good food for energy and eaten with crunchy fresh vegetables, possibly fish and meat. Storage will be limited but we will provide a safe area for valuables in a lockable room. Your accommodation is selected in a secure, proximate location to the project. A local cook is provided which often will be a member of the host family within whose house you are staying.
On day 2 you will have the option of taking a tour of the school and local village. Take time to soak up the scenery and meet some of the people you will be working with both in the school and the village. You will be given a chance to see the building site and see where you will be working on a new project or continuing an existing one. Meet the school community from the teachers to the board of parents and chairs to the many small faces peering curiously at you. Get to know your surroundings, find out where the local 'store' is and what delights they sell, be introduced to the nearest water source. Mark the first sight of your new building or plot with a photo, the scene will soon change. Your usual working hours are 8am - 4pm with breaks during the day. Throughout the day we will rotate teaching as and when lessons are timetabled. When we are not teaching we can return to work on the building site or plan our next lessons. Each day we have the opportunity to explore the community after school and take part and organise activities with the community. The key is to get to know your village and how they need your support. You may be able to join local adults in their cooperative groups, teach them English and learn their local traditions. We also can look for opportunities to play sport with youth groups. Rugby is always a winner. Each project reaches a 2 week milestone so your contributions will be recognised at the end of every milestone.
Day 14 Nadi – end of a two week project
You will be returned to Nadi for no later than 7pm.