Fiji: Volunteer Care-Work

Fiji: Volunteer Care Work with Children

• Placement locations: Nadi, Suva
• Types of care projects: Kindergartens, care homes for the elderly, special needs schools, orphanages
• Age: 0 – 16, elderly
• Number of people cared for: Varied
• Role: Assisting with local staff including playing with children, basic teaching and giving general help
• Accommodation: From two weeks
• Price: From £1195
• What’s included? Food, accommodation, transfers, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support, social activities
• What’s not included? Flights, visa costs, spending money
• Length of placement: From two weeks
• Start dates: Flexible

Volunteering on a Care project in Fiji is an ideal way to get involved with the local community of this fascinating island nation. Whether you are on a gap year, summer placement or career break, we will arrange a suitable project for you.

Volunteers with specific qualifications and experience are welcome but you do not need to have either to join us as a Care volunteer. All we ask is that you bring with you energy, passion and commitment.

Voluntary Work with Kindergartens and Special Needs Children

The Fijian islands in the South Pacific are home to a courteous, sincere people with ancient traditions, however Fiji is becoming increasingly urbanised and as more people move from the villages to the urban centres levels of deprivation have increased.

Our Care placements are based in and around Nadi, on the west coast of Viti Levu and Suva on the east coast. Most volunteers work at kindergartens, however there is also the opportunity to work in orphanages and centres for children with special needs.

At the kindergartens, the class sizes are large, so it’s extremely difficult for the local staff to give each child as much attention as they need. Volunteers working here will be able to provide a helping hand, looking after and caring for the children. It is also the perfect opportunity to put any skills and interests you have to use, whether it is arts and crafts, or teaching games and songs to the children - your suggestions will always be well received. By showing initiative and enthusiasm the options available are endless.

Projects Abroad also works with a centre for children with special needs. Here volunteers can provide the children with the extra care and attention they need. This project is challenging yet extremely rewarding. There is a great need for people who have experience or qualifications in this field, in particular speech therapy or special needs education. Most importantly they welcome any volunteers who have patience and a strong desire to help where ever necessary.

Volunteers normally live with a host family within walking distance or a short bus ride from their project.

Volunteering abroad on a Care Project in Fiji

In whichever volunteer Care project in Fiji you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. It is in your role as a volunteer - spending time with the children, playing with them and putting a smile on their faces - that you will learn just why Projects Abroad volunteers are so valuable.

Whether you are taking a group out for an afternoon trip to the nearby beach, helping older children with school homework or playing a game or reading a story to the younger ones, you will be an essential part of their development. Please let our local staff know about any particular interests and skills you may have when you apply.

The majority of care centres and kindergartens in Fiji have a holiday from the beginning of December to the end of January. Volunteers working during this period will continue working at the Projects Abroad holiday schools which are run in both Suva and Nadi. Projects Abroad volunteers are solely responsible for planning and running all the lessons and it’s a great opportunity to use your imagination and come up with educational lessons, games and arts and crafts.

This project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.