Volunteer in Childcare in Sigatoka, Fiji

I had a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and experiences them in person.The experience was surreal with those kids that are so unfortunate.The appreciation shown from these kids are very memorable.

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My volunteer trip to Fiji had a really positive impact on me, especially through the childcare and sports programs I worked in. Spending time with the kids, helping with daily activities, and supporting their learning showed me how meaningful even small acts of care can be. Coaching and playing sports with them also helped build confidence, teamwork, and genuine connections. The experience opened my eyes to the importance of community, patience, and giving back, and it’s something that will stay with me for a long time.

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I have gained so much knowledge and confidence from my experience volunteering abroad with IVHQ. I never had the confidence to sign up and solo-travel but I am so glad I signed up when I did! I felt so safe throughout the duration of the trip and I would recommend volunteering to anyone!

I was guided step by step exceptionally to ensure I was comfortable and prepared for my volunteer project. I was thoroughly informed on what to expect and what was expected from me as a volunteer. After volunteering, I have gained a new insight on living. I honestly feel so grateful and it was as if volunteering abroad humbled me. Every little stress I had back at home seemed so small while I was volunteering. I have never felt so inspired and loved by a place. From learning the traditional Fijian culture to visiting the beautiful resort islands and beaches in my spare time, it’s been incredible. I will very much miss the beautiful children I had the opportunity to teach and play with for a few weeks, as well as all the wonderful people I met along the way.

My highlight on the program was meeting the kids for the very first time and then every moment after it. I came home viewing the world differently and viewing culture differently. I come from an ethnic background and I felt so rooted in culture whilst in Fiji and I came home so grateful and proud of my heritage. The local team was so amazing that I am going back again after only 5 months to the same location and a big part of that is because of the rest of the local team and staff. My advice is go for it! You will never be ready if you keep on focusing on the ‘what if’s’ and the ‘buts’.

My favourite moment by far was meeting all the children in the kindergarten everyday. They filled my heart with so much warmth and never failed to make me smile. I loved teaching them new things and spend my time singing and dancing with them. Meeting each and every one of them was a big blessing. I can say that the volunteer work had a very big impact on me, as I was so far away from home being in conditions I usually don't live. Seeing how some families live in the poorest of conditions really opened my eyes on how to be grateful for everything each and every day. The local Fijian people showed me that it doesn't take a lot to be happy and how life is a huge blessing in itself. For that I am more than grateful. If you're hesitant whether to do volunteer work or not, you should just go ahead and do it. In the end you will look back at your time and see just how much of a life changing experience it really was. Go into your project with a realistic mindset and you will be surprised by how much good you can actually do.

My great moment from the volunteer experience was the kindergarten graduation ceremony! Seeing the culture and how locals live had a big impact on me.. They are so happy with just the basics. It was the most amazing experience! I was hesitant going into it myself and that’s so normal, just don’t let it stop you..

I did a 2 week volunteer placement in kindergarten in Fiji and it was one of the best experiances i have had in my life! I cant believe how much I learnt in 2 weeks and how beautiful all the Fiji people were and the children! I highly recommend this experiance and i am very grateful I got to experiance this!

Hello! I'm Evgenia Charikleia Lazari and I volunteered for two weeks in the Kindergarten project in Fiji Islands. I immersed myself in the local culture almost instantly as the introduction day was inclusive of most parts of the Fijian Culture and as we were living in an ideal volunteer house next to the locals and had direct contact with them everyday. My involvement in the Kindergarten made me feel I'm making an impact on the little one's life, the community and most importantly to myself, because I feel that I see the world with extra colours.

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My time in Fiji went by so fast! The lifestyle is so relaxed and the local staff are there to support and help you with everything. The local Fijian people are some of the nicest I have ever met; welcoming us into their homes to experience the true Fijian lifestyle. The location is perfect; with so many shops, cafes, restaurants and amazing weekend trips to gorgeous islands around the mainland. I have made amazing friends during my stay, who made it feel like home. I worked in a local kindergarten for 4 weeks during my stay, and the children are so happy and grateful for your help; making it even harder to leave! Looking back at it seems like a dream - I wish I had stayed longer! I cannot recommend Fiji more; the best experience of my life!

Been sitting here for half an hour trying to find the words to describe my experience in Fiji but none seem to do it justice. This experience will blow your mind. You will leave as a different person. Day after day you will start valuing a smile rather than a new phone, you will cherish company rather than dollar bills and you will comprehend that you have been oblivious for what feels like centuries of the true meaning of being rich. They take you in as family. They share, they care, they give. You will never want to leave. Everyday you will face new challenges that sculpture you into someone new. You can teach children that are eager to learn, you will experience true paradise and you will be blessed with the kindness of the happiest people on earth, THE FIJIANS who i love so dearly. Before taking this big step of travelling alone for the first time, all I knew about Fiji was that it existed. Now i can tell you - If you go there you will never want to leave. I can only encourage anyone and everyone to come out of their comfort zone and JUST DO IT! Au lomani noqu viti

I was placed into a local kindergarten school in Suva close to our accommodation. This was an amazing experience because I got to work in a Hindi kindergarten. I would highly recommend this it was one of the best experiences I have had. I got to sit along side the kids and help them learn letters, words, and draw pictures one on one. I got the opportunity to learn our the Fijian culture and met many wonderful friends along the way. I met people from all over the world and I would say my 2 weeks here changed my life. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to travel and try something new while trying to help someone else!

I had planned my trip over 200 days in advanced. IVHQ was there the whole entire time to answer any question and I always got a email back within 24 hours! Not only was IVHQ extremely helpful, welcoming and affordable, but the in-country team are absolutely amazing. I seriously cried my eyes out leaving them. The program is amazing and you will fall in love with everyone and everything. I was there for 2 months and the time just flew by! I encourage everyone who's even thinking about going to do it! I promise you will never regret it!

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My 3 weeks in Fiji of September 2015 was an absolute eye opener! I regretfully did not get bitten by the travel bug as early as the majority of my friends did, preferring to work and make gains in my career. I did however make it along to 2 Contiki Trips in the last 3 years, and had a blast.... But nothing has come close to the rewarding & fulfilling time I spent in Fiji just two months ago. The prospect of volunteer work was suggested to me by a close friend, something which had always been "on my radar" but never at the forefront of my mind when limited holiday time was available to me. I thank my lucky stars that my mindset has changed so dramatically, as giving up my time & working towards the betterment & education of children has been a real shock to my system, in the most incredible of ways. I'm proud to say that I'm already making plans for volunteering at a USA summer camp next year :) My mornings were spent playing games with the children, and helping them with basic numeracy & alphabet skills. During my time, our themes were "Fire" & "Octopus", which bought about some rapid Googling & Youtubing to find some innovative songs to teach! Crèche paper & wild n wacky dance moves ensued, and soon we had the renovation team working outside our classroom singing our Firefighter song as well! :D The videos of myself & the 2 lovely women I worked alongside, leading these songs & teaching the words to the kids, hold a special place on my phone & hard drive back ups, proof of some real "getting back to being a kid" fun :) Painting, Duck Duck Goose, Chalk Board Games (and trying to avoid chalk board duster arguments between the kids!), lots of singing & dancing, see saw's and swing sets, & puppet shows only scratch the surface of our day to day's, with each new hour in the classroom bringing me something else to have a quiet chuckle about. I also never thought I would be called "Teacher" in my lifetime, which towards the end began to feel so normal to me. The icing on the cake for me was the people I met. To be in a group of like minded souls, all with their own reasons for being there, was a true treat. Germans, Americans, Canadians, A New Zealand Room Mate (as they were getting ready to win the Rugby Wold Cup!), Poms, Austrians & a very cool Frenchman :D... the list is Endless. Our weekly ritual of drinks & clubbing at our spot "Bad Dog Café" in Suva was some of the most fun I've ever had, not only for the cheap drinks & casual dress policy, but for the amazing Fiji Bitter beer that I still miss! LOL. Endless video's and photos documented our times out together, combined with our weekend island getaways, afternoon chill out sessions in the TV room, DVD nights / Movie nights in Suva, day trips around town, volleyball games, work out sessions, deep & meaningful life conversations, listening to foreign languages (& getting taught all the bad words), and some seriously competitive "friendly" card games! Ha-ha. To simply write about it could never do it justice, as I would need to attempt to write 100 pages at least. It had to be lived & witnessed to be truly appreciated. A cliché yes, but so true. I thank the modern times of all the latest technology for giving us the resources to still be in contact with each other, as to lose touch with all these wonderful people would be devastating. Plans are already in motion for a variety of reunions all over the world!! I cant thank the wonderful staff at Green Lion enough, who are the on site support team, for their amazing hospitality. I have never heard people laugh more often than them, and it was infectious! From their orientation to Fiji, to assistance with getting around Suva, as well as the help they provided me in the classroom itself, was invaluable. To the team at IVHQ, my highest praise is to say that I definitely will be back, as you made the whole process such a pleasure. Dealing with a few other similar agencies almost put me off the experience altogether, but with Hannah & the team, there never once was any pressure to make decisions, but rather just detailed information, laying out all my options before me. I even received an email at the conclusion of my first week to check in and confirm that everything was going ok! To anyone reading this, I sincerely hope that my words above truly convey just how much this trip meant to me, as well as the amount I received from it.... not just the heart warming encounters with amazing kids, or friends around the world that I have no doubt will play a big part in my life.... but the knowledge that when I look back in the years to come I can safely say to myself that I took a leap to give the most valuable resource any of us will ever have.... time.... and I put it to what I deem as the best use possible in this world. With Kindest Regards, Gray Sydney Australia 2015

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