Volunteer in Sports Education in Fiji

Firstly, i was greeted at the airport by a member of the team who was very easy to identify and extremely friendly and welcoming. We were then transported to the accommodation by transport covered in the cost of the programme fees which made things run so smoothly. Once arriving at the accommodation, again greeted by warm, welcoming people who made everyone feel at ease. I started off my volunteering experience with the introduction week which I would highly recommend everyone to take part in. This involved different experiences in allowing volunteers to really get to know the culture of the country/area you are volunteering in. The next week, I was involved in volunteering in a specific class in a school which meant I could develop an amazing bond with the pupils in my class. Pupils were so loving and appreciated every little thing you did for them. The little added touches that the team arranged for volunteers to make everyone feel extra special included a leaving ceremony every week for volunteers who were leaving which included a traditional farewell song conducted by the coordinators, ensuring you are set for the weekend in helping to arrange transport, hostels etc. and always being so friendly every time they see you, knowing everyones name and treating everyone as individuals. I had the absolute time of my life and met great volunteers, coordinators and locals. I would definitely recommend this programme to anyone who is debating doing something amazing for people who deserve it.

A highlight for me was playing and dancing with the kids on the kinder. Realising the conditions and lifestyle that the locals lived in, and making me see how lucky I was with what I have made the biggest impact on me. My advice for future volunteers is that everyone is super friendly and the volunteer work is so rewarding! I am so grateful for this opportunity and I am going to miss the children from the kinder and the locals playing sport.

The best moments were working with the children every day and seeing how excited they would get over the smallest things, like how excited they were to do limbo under a rope or bowling with plastic bottles. Being greeted with big hugs and smiling faces every time we turned up or left the placement location was one of my favourite things. The children had so little (in terms of material things, clothes, toys etc) yet they had so much joy and happiness, they appreciated all the little things and were so grateful for our time with them, it was an eye opening experience that has changed my outlook on life. Do it, take the leap and jump in! You won’t regret it, it will change your life! Enjoy every second, it’s the experience of a lifetime.