Remote Island Teaching in Fiji

The island is a special place for me. Since this my second visit this year, I can see the children are growing into such brilliant and capable people. I taught them to paint, some English, a little bit of French and we played games and talked a lot. They are funny, well-mannered, smart and interesting kids that looked after me from the minute I arrived. Everyone on the island has taught me so much about the history of Fiji as we sat under the stars - always make me feel welcomed. Tima and Lemeki’s family had me for Sunday lunch which was special for me as I stayed with them last year. I was invited to a Methodist church celebration which was fascinating and moving. I got to go to cast away island and many other trips that Josh’s son took me on as that is in their generous nature. I also love the cheeky side of Fijian culture, the songs they sing always move me and saying goodbye is always hard. So we say until next time! Great people, great food and the accommodation had everything we needed. It’s the people I go back for, nothing else ! Josh is an incredible host and I have always felt safe with him and wanted. His children and wife Lotte are fantastic and they make a great team.

What an incredible experience to be able to live in amongst the island community, fully immersed in village life. I really really enjoyed my stay and it was so amazing to explore the island in my free time. In the classroom, it was mostly helping kids one on one with the work assigned by the teacher, but for about 4-5 days I was in charge of my own class (because the teacher was away) so I organised and implemented different activities and work for the kids to improve their English. Not only did we help out with teaching in the classrooms, we also got to do lots of other community projects like beach cleanups, tree planting, preparing for the sports carnival, and cassava farming. Great for a really authentic experience of Fiji, but important to know that the living conditions can be quite challenging (no running water (so no flushing toilets, taps to wash hands, showers, etc), limited power/electricity, very limited access to fruit/veggies, and lots of different customs to adhere to). Overall a really positive experience that Im very grateful for :) The host family was so awesome and made sure we were doing well, keeping us very well fed, caring for me when I saw sick, and constantly checking in on us. The food was SO DELICIOUS but I did struggle with the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, especially at the start because my body just was not used to eating so much rice and noodles for every meal. The accomodation was good… it would have been nice to have a little reading light in my room because once the sun was down, i was no longer able to read or journal, but that’s a minor issue. On the mainland, Masi and Mere were so so awesome, super friendly, often checking in on us and so quick to resolve any problems that came up.

I hope its not too long and words are hard to describe the feelings i have after this wonderful experience. The whole two- week trip was a highlight from me. From being picked up at the airport by Masi’s son to being driven to the Denaru by a family friend. I arrived on the island with the headmaster’s family in a small fibreglass boat and it is certainly something I’ll never forget. Fiji is such a family orientated culture, which made me feel so comfortable from the start. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and I felt right at home from the beginning. The children melted my heart with their beautiful smiles and cheekiness, the locals always greeted me as I wandered past with the kids and the pristine beaches and coral reefs that surrounded the island were stunning. My host family were incredible, so generous with everything they had. They answered my questions, talked to me, laughed with me and my two Fijian “brothers” I had for two weeks,I will never forget. I left Fiji feeling like I was a part of their family. The teaching staff were so appreciative of everything I did and they made me feel like part of the school. The island is such a picturesque island with natural beauty everywhere you looked. I loved waking up in the morning to the sun shining and the sounds of the children going about their morning jobs. I felt that I have experienced the “real” Fiji in staying on a remote island and living like a local. I would not have wanted it any other way for my first experience as a volunteer. Lauren was fabulous with her communication and any questions I had were answered promptly. Even though I had no reason to contact her whilst in Fiji, I felt 100% supported the whole time. Masi and his family were incredible hosts and I felt right at home staying with him and his family. He was informative and extremely helpful when my bags went missing (haha) and more importantly a kind soul. The food on the island was quite bland compared to what I was use to back home but there was plenty of it and I enjoyed trying out the various Fijian foods that were prepared for me. As we were briefed, vegetables and fruits were few and far between but this was expected. Once again I was expecting clean but no frills accommodation in comparison to what I am use to. The toilet for me was somewhat of a challenge in the beginning (haha) and the shower was buckets of water. You just have to embrace it and go with the flow because that is how they live and it was important for me to be grateful for what they had given me. This experience was out of my comfort zone but hands down one of the best things I’ve ever done. As I’m quite an organised person I felt a little disorganised before leaving but to be honest I felt completely okay once I landed in Fiji. Their carefree nature rubbed off and me and I just felt that everything would be fine! In terms of the teaching, next time I would love to organise in advance what I could do at school so I could help as much as possible (but as I’m a teacher at home I think this why I felt this way). I loved how the organisation did as much as possible to help but on the other hand let you sort some of it out a little bit yourself too. I especially liked how I was on the island by myself for a week and not in a big group of volunteers. I feel you can become part of the community when it is like this and I really got to know the children and teachers during this time when I was alone.

My experience has been great so far me and Amelia have really enjoyed it being able to teach the kids art and English, play football with the students and even did swimming lessons for the kindergarten children in the sea. We definitely feel at home with the family here in Fiji too. We’ve been fishing Fiji style, swimming in the rain and climbing up the big rock near the school. Currently we’ve been organising the library as all the books were on the floor at the back of a room so it?s taken a while. Definitely an experience I won’t forget!

I loved getting to know the kids and share some of my knowledge with them. We shared many laughs, songs, and stories together. The most memorable parts of the experience for me was immersing myself within the culture and staying with the host family. I enjoyed learning about their way of living…. it was truly an eye-opening experience. This experience had its challenges – the food was basic, there was no shower or washing machine, it was hot, and I felt way out of my comfort zone. But by the end of it I didn’t want to leave. I have made amazing connections, have awesome memories, and can’t wait to go back next year.

The highlights of the trip were of course the children. They are such happy children, keen to learn and I was really impressed with the generally neatness of their bookwork and their handwriting. The people there are so welcoming and accepting of people into their village. They showed great concern for me and my comfort and for my age (apparently I was the oldest volunteer they had ever had at the school) and I know a lot of work went on behind the scenes to make sure I was comfortable and safe. Some of the highlights were travelling with the students to Mololo Island and Sigatoka for sports events. The logistics of organising up to 76 students 7 teachers and a couple of volunteers to travel in small fishing boats and the school boat to Mololo and in the case of the trip to Sigatoka transferring to the ferry off the island of Tokoriki and catching a bus from Denarau to Sigatoka were pretty formidable but were managed very impressively. I loved reading with the students. They work so hard and are so keen to learn. I also enjoyed walking along the beach with the students after school singing songs we had learned that day or collecting shells and also spending time with the women who were so very kind and generous. I felt I really made some good friends. I’ve enclosed a photos of the children but I’m afraid I am not a very good photographer and I also missed a lot of photo opportunities. I am truly grateful for the opportunity of being a volunteer at Mamanuca school and I would love to do it again. Thanks Lauren for all your help in organising the trip. I was really was a wonderful experience.

Everyone was so welcoming and made me feel included into there community immediately. I became absolutely besotted with all the kids. My favourite part was after school hours playing rugby or soccer with them, or going for swims in the ocean. On weekends some of the little children from the village would come to our house and wake us up with big hugs and giggles in the morning. – On the last night of our stay we caught a boat to Monuriki Island with some of the teachers and their kids. We camped under a hut that some of the islanders had made and had the most amazing time. – My friend and I stayed in the same room at one of the teacher’s house. The room was fairly big and it was nice having a little space to ourselves – Our food whilst over their consisted of mainly rice, kasava and two minuet noodles. The teachers made it delicious but by the end I was craving fresh food. On the fist day volunteering at the school the year five teacher was not there due to family reason so my friend and I were asked to take the class for the day. We were not told how to teach them or what lesions to do and we struggled. It would have been incredible to have a bit of support when it came to teaching and have structured lesion plans.

It was such a beautiful experience. everybody on the island is so accommodating and welcomes you with open arms, it is difficult however to adjust to the different routines but so worth it! Again, so accomodating, felt so supported the entire trip, always providing what was needed

Volunteering on the island was the most life changing and incredible experience. From the moment I arrived on the island I felt welcomed and loved by ever person! I was lucky to teach in the kindergarten class, as well as go and visit other classes in the afternoons. Emerging myself in to every aspect of the island life has given me a new outlook on life. All of the people are so kind, fun and loving. The children are incredibly helpful and beautiful inside and out. I will never forget my time on the island and will be forever grateful!! Xx Staying with Mere and Masi in Nadi the first and last days of my trip was amazing. Mere and Masi are incredibly helpful and kind. They helped me prepare myself for the experience and offered me guidance and reassurance. The island didn’t have a nurse at the time of my stay (I was told they quit). The island definitely needs a nurse to assist them with the scabies, boils and other conditions that the children and adults are dealing with!!!!

My trip was absolutely amazing. It was definitely a hard adjustment at the start I must say, but so rewarding in the end. I made such strong connections with everyone I met, and formed lifelong memories. My whole perspective of the world is changed now, and I am so appreciative that I could experience this. I would 100% recommend this to anyone who is up for a challenge and great experience. My host family was the kindest. Always welcoming and loving. The food was amazing. Accommodations were very nice considering the living conditions of most people on the island.

It was incredible to be involved in the school and spend time with all the children. Outside of school hours was able to spend lots of time with the locals and within the village, as well as exploring the island and surrounding islands. All the school staff and village members were so welcoming! So eager to share their lives and Fijian culture with us.