Description

Whether you are volunteering on a gap year, summer vacation, or career break, if you want a volunteer trip where you are truly immersed in a traditional culture, our Community Village Project based in a traditional Fijian village could be the perfect volunteer project for you.

Volunteers on the Community Village Project need to be prepared to fully immerse themselves in the community and culture. You will get involved in all aspects of village life, including helping with teaching, farming, cooking, basket weaving, mat making, tending to the gardens, and wherever else they may need an extra pair of hands.

Mornings will mostly be spent assisting in the kindergarten or primary school, where any additional skills you can bring, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, and music, will be much appreciated. Some of the villages choose to take a more traditional approach to teaching. Instead of adopting the modern exam system, they prefer more practical methods, such as song and dance, and using a more hands-on approach to the standard subjects of math, English, and science.

Volunteers joining the Community Village Project will get away from the hustle and bustle of the towns. However, all our villages are within a 1 hour drive of our offices in Nadi or Suva, so you will always be within easy reach of Projects Abroad staff. Depending on when you join the project there may or may not be other volunteers in the same village, so you must be prepared for the exciting opportunity of being the only foreigner.

Volunteers live with a Fijian host family, who will ensure that you soon feel at home and integrated into community life. You will live in the local, traditional manner, eating what the family eats and joining family activities, such as going to church. The villages have basic amenities, and not all homes will have full-time electricity. In almost all cases only cold water will be available for showering, and some homes may have an outside toilet and washing facilities.

Fijian village life is communal and friendly. Family homes are open to their neighbors, and the villagers live and work together. Evenings are generally family time where members of the extended families catch up on the day, play cards, or maybe even sing along to the strumming of a guitar. Kava (a traditional drink made from the root of the Yaqona plant) often forms a major part of village life and most occasions happen around the Tanoa (the large bowl that the Kava is served from).

Highlights

Fijian villages are presided over by a Chief, a hereditary role passed from father to son. The Chief will often preside over ceremonies. Each village will also have an elected Turaga ni Koro who acts as an administrator of mayor for the village. He plays a key role in the day-to-day running of the village.

Fijian culture sees the women doing the majority of the household work such as cleaning, cooking, and looking after the children. Men concentrate on farming and fishing.

Volunteers should have a mature attitude and be able to work independently, as there may be minimal contact with other volunteers during the week. You will normally have the opportunity to meet up with other volunteers on the weekends should you wish to travel.

Qualifications

Must be 16 years of age or older.

Intern Types

• Construction

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

16 and up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 3-5

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992