Involvement Volunteers International

My highlight was definitely getting to know the community and getting a glimpse of what the rural lifestyle is like. People were so grateful and delighted to see volunteers, and you can feel the impact you are having on the community. My highlight was spreading knowledge of what I learned in nursing school to less-experienced volunteers. The food and accommodation were so amazing. The staff was very accommodating and the sweetest.

Loved it. Amazing opportunity and honor to be welcomed as a local in the village. An honor to live with them in community and live out Christianity with them was definitely my highlight. Absolutely loved working with the disabled children at the hospital and amazing to see the love that Phos Haven orphanage have for these kids. It was a very local experience and I had to adapt a lot but this is all part of the experience. Loved it! -Denise

The best experience I ever had in Kenya. Amazing project, lovely people, very kind staff, a lot of options for activities and delicious Kenyan food. Local team was fantastic. They help you with everything, take care of you, work really hard, are always available and are passionate. The food was perfect. Everyday 3 meals with typical Kenyan dishes Accomodation was clean, relaxed and located in a safe neighbourhood. WiFi was available, warm shower, tv, drinking water, pool table. - Moniek

Great opportunity to work with other like minded volunteers to assist with child learning and development in both classroom and community sport settings. All round very good. Local team very supportive.

The Lemur Experience at Nosy Be Madagascar was a life altering week. The setting offered more that just watching crocodile feeding, washing big turtles and small turtles, and learning to care for and engage with lemurs. I spent our work days with locals who work at the sanctuary and local volunteers, laughing and talking while we worked. Our group work spent our time sharing life stories across generations, focused more on dreams than heart break, a true gem of the volunteer experience. At our long 2 hour lunch breaks, students and I engaged in helping them improve their English, including hands-on social media skills in English. I spent a few days exploring the local community, the local markets, shops, beach, and cafes for a real feel for the area. The experience included housing in a safe villa with two houses, local meals prepared by Rodrick, and daily transportation through the local area back and forth to the center. I had a room with 2 bunk beds, mosquito net, hot water shower and shared bathroom, wifi, and access to refrigerator. The work tasks were easy to complete. Program guide John oriented me to the work and I was able to do what I was comfortable with, which was everything! Pavith oversaw the program, joined me for evening meal, answered all my questions, and was always available.

I am very grateful to have participated in this project. I am returning from my assignment at the Philippine schools with somewhat mixed emotions, though the experience was deeply moving and rewarding in many ways. I was deeply impressed by the locals' positive mindset. The community welcomed me with smiles, and the students were grateful and respectful. Furthermore, I was enchanted by the beautiful surroundings at both locations. The stunning scenery, with its pristine beaches and palm trees, provided wonderful opportunities for swimming and relaxing after work. It was the perfect backdrop to unwind. A major highlight was the excellent support at the volunteer camp. The local team did an outstanding job, and I felt very comfortable and well-cared for. • Catering: The cook prepared truly delicious meals every day. • Maintenance: The cleaning staff kept the rooms spotless, and the gardens were always perfectly maintained. • Support: The coordinators and support staff were reliable, professional, and incredibly kind. Their efforts made the camp feel like a home away from home.

It was a wonderful experience to discover the country and its people from a different perspective. The connections I made were very warm and welcoming, and the support on site was close to perfect. The learning went both ways: not only the children, but I myself learned as well. I picked up some Korean and, above all, gained rich insights into Korean culture through them. I sincerely hope to repeat this experience in the future. For the children, it would be beneficial if the program could run longer than one or two weeks, as they need time to build trust and truly settle in. The team in Korea was easy to reach at all times and well prepared to answer any questions. I always felt very well informed and supported—almost as if close friends had been waiting for me on site. Thank you very much for that; it truly could not have been better. The temple stay felt like a home away from home. Even though the rooms were small and simple, they were more than sufficient. The location was excellent. At times, however, I would have appreciated having a quiet space to retreat to beyond the sleeping area. As I had a single room, this was at least partially possible. For those staying longer, though, having a dedicated quiet space separate from the shared areas would be very beneficial.

My trip to Fiji was an incredibly eye-opening and meaningful experience. I spent a month volunteering at a remote island primary school as well as a kindergarten on the mainland, which gave me insight into two very different educational settings. One of the highlights was building relationships with the children and becoming part of their daily routines. The students were warm, enthusiastic, and eager to learn, which made the experience very rewarding despite some of the challenges I observed. At the remote island primary school, I found the level of English comprehension quite surprising. While many students were able to speak English, they often struggled to understand sentence structure and meaning, particularly when it came to stories or more complex instructions. I also noticed differences in teaching practices, where students were often given work to complete independently with limited supervision or guidance, which was very different from what I am used to. Overall, the experience challenged my expectations and broadened my understanding of global education systems. It reinforced my interest in working with children and highlighted the importance of quality teaching, supervision, and inclusive practices in supporting all learners.

The experience was amazing, and the team were very attentive and involved, and the site was pleasant. This trip will stay in my mind as a great memory of mine. Thankyou so much, I appreciated the experience.

Volunteering was very enjoyable, interesting and varied. It gave us a good insight into the wonderful work the soup kitchen does. The Head Chef was truly inspirational. It also gave us the opportunity to meet and work with other volunteers from many different countries. The local team were fantastic and very supportive, kind , considerate and very friendly. We liked that at the soup kitchen we all shared the same food, this gave us the opportunity to try many different Korean dishes. The buffet meal we had on our orientation say was good fun. The Temple was clean, the beds were comfortable and we enjoyed the never-ending supply of tea. The staff were friendly and again it was good to meet people from all over the world. The location was good too. At the Temple we also enjoyed a handpan lesson.

My advice to future volunteers is simply follow the lead of the teachers who will have a clear idea about what they want you to do. Be humble about your own abilities and the impact you can have, but be thirsty for knowledge and experience YOU can gain from the volunteer work.The local team who run all the volunteer programs in the country are warm and engaging, and very well organized. We get three meals a day provided, although so far I tended to skip breakfast in favour of getting a decent coffee at Highland Coffee and a croissant. Lunch in the staff restaurant was fine: simple rice with vegetables and meat (plus a small bowl of soup) on Monday, and a big bowl of noodle soup on Tuesday, steamed rice, green beans (which I put in my small bowl of vegetable soup to warm through) and a small portion of pork and shrimp another day. You won't go hungry. Meals in the evening are provided at a small family-run restaurant across the road from the college and we have to pre-order the day before. One night I had fried rice with chicken and a pepper sauce. There was a lot of rice and a chicken drumstick, but it was very tasty. I opted for a single room and got a single bunk in a dorm with eight beds. It was fine for a week but if I were to volunteer for longer I would want to pay for a hotel room. I think this should be an option.

I spent 9 weeks at the turtle conservation in Ambalangoda and 2 weeks at the special needs program in Kandy. My experience was truly amazing, working with the turtles was a fun experience, and the special needs program was such a rewarding program for me. Everything went smoothly from the pick up at the airport to concerning any problems to the staff. The staff were very friendly, always helpful and tried to do their best. They did all they could to make everything as comfortable as possible for you. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience I will never forget. A big thanks to the organisation, as well as the staff. Would definitely recommend doing voluntary work.

This was truly an unforgettable experience with so many highlights to share. The kids are the cutest human beings ever - they excitedly await your arrival from the gate yelling "Teacher ... Teacher ..." running towards you to embrace you in a warm hug and share with you a friendly smile. They grab your hand and pull you in the classroom, grab a seat and sit patiently as you prepare to teach. Their enthusiasm to learn is unmatched; they scream the answers, they give you their full attention and they are genuinely interested in what you have to teach them. Across age groups spanning from the 3 year olds to the 5 year olds, we taught many different topics such as ABCs, numbers, transportation, colours, shapes, animals, body parts and we had a blast doing it. Some highlights would definitely be trying the local cuisine, stopping at the Local Bubble tea place on the way home from school each afternoon, sight seeing on the weekend (e.g. we embarked on a Ha Long Bay Boat Cruise), the kiddos smiles and laughter, learning about local culture and language and so much more. Volunteering is such a beautiful way to both see and change the world. I am so grateful that I have been afforded the opportunity to share my passion and love for teaching with others through Involvement Volunteers International (IVI).

Volunteering in Thailand was a very rewarding experience and a great way to explore the country. Meeting people from all over the world and various walks of life was also very nice. Definitely one of my best travel experiences and I will volunteer again. The team in Hua Hin were amazing. They were super friendly and supportive and had really good english. The cook was the best and always made balanced meals with a mix of western and local dishes.

The experience was amazing. I went for a 1-month long volunteering experience to teach in China. The host was very accommodating to my needs and ensured I settled down as comfortably as I could. I had face time with the staff of the kindergarten I volunteered at, had open discussions and flexibility of the teaching schedule. The teachers were also very warm and helpful. The kids were such a lively and curious bunch, I enjoyed the entire experience very much. Local team was very welcoming and food was good. I had the chance to dine with the local team family, making it a very local experience, and even made dumplings with them. Facilities were basic as it is located in a local village but still well provided including water heater in the winter, loved the old architecture of the house I stayed in. Local team was also helpful with recommendations on where to go and what to do during weekends or free time.

Volunteering in one of the soup kitchens in Saigon, to help feed many hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged people, was a humbling but a truly wonderful experience. Working alongside local volunteers - sharing preparation and serving tasks with them, opened my eyes to the deep sense of community and kindness that thrives there. Life in Vietnam is so different from what I know in Australia—not better or worse, just beautifully different. The experience highlighted for me how much we all have in common, despite our language differences and varied circumstances, and how generosity and gratitude can flourish anywhere in the world. I thoroughly enjoyed my four weeks volunteering in the soup kitchen in Saigon. I thought everything was very efficiently and effectively organised and the team that took care of us in Saigon were wonderful. I will hopefully volunteer again next year.

The volunteer program was absolutely amazing. We were guided patiently on how to take care of the elephants. Everyone there was extremely friendly. This experience is definitely once in a life time. Thankyou!!

As seasoned traveling retirees, this was our 16th time volunteering abroad. Maximo Nivel, in partnership with IVHQ, did not disappoint. Communications up front were clear & informative. Our project was diverse, with the option to vary tasks daily. We picked coffee, helped in the garden,composted, and more. Homestay provided authentic interactions and home cooked meals. Questions were answered, recommendations and suggestions were freely offered. Social options like salsa & cooking classes were a plus. As we like to say, "When it comes to volunteering, age is just a number." Flexibility helps!!!

It was an incredible trip. I had a wonderful time volunteering….the people were so lovely, and the children are truly amazing. Working with the kids was especially rewarding; they were always excited to see us, eager to learn, and incredibly creative. It was a very fulfilling journey, and it certainly won’t be my last. The team were amazing, very accommodating and always helpful. The accommodation was comfortable, and the food was very good most of the time.

The trip was the most fulfilling, enriching and inspiring experience I have ever embarked upon 😊 It is my second time volunteering with IVI and each time I embark on a new teaching journey I seem to learn more, take new things away from the program and leave with new friends from all over the world! I was fortunate enough to volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 2 weeks wherein I got to teach at 2 schools within the local area. Each day was filled with joy, excitement, friendship, compassion and new opportunities to which I grasped with both hands. One of the most awesome things about volunteering abroad would be the everlasting friendships you create. I adored spending many of my afternoons exploring the local culture with both our coordinators and other volunteers as well as spending many late nights learning new languages, cultures and travel stories from across the world. These friendships hold a very special place in my heart and continue to flourish outside of the volunteer space. My favourite part of the volunteering had to be the lesson planning as it was the most rewarding experience when the lessons and games I had planned were so well received and enjoyed by the kids! If you are considering volunteering … this is definitely your sign as it is an unmatched experience that has countless affordances ❤️ The local team made my stay like home wherein I became apart of this close knit family. We were all so well looked after, with all facilities well maintained, drivers readily available, existing connections across all of Chiang Mai and major attractions we all wanted to visit as well as endless resources to utilise within the classroom setting. The food was definitely locally sourced with many dishes being traditional to Thailand however the food was well prepared and delicious. A few more Western dishes would have been adored but not necessary! It was awesome! I’m so very grateful! THANK YOU 🥰

I volunteered for a month (from September 28th to October 25th, 2025). Every Monday, we would meet up in the lobby to plan our English lesson materials for the rest of the week. After preparing everything, we would have lunch together with the guide. We usually took our time for lunch because we had to be at the location around 3 p.m. Once we arrived at the location, we would introduce ourselves to the children and start the lesson. We had two-hour lessons, with a 10-minute break in between. We usually finished class at 5 p.m. Then the assigned guide would go back to our accommodation with us, making sure we didn't get lost. Every day, we went to different schools. We worked from Monday to Friday. We met in the lobby at 12pm, every day. Sometimes, the volunteering organization would propose some trips to the Korean countryside to see more of Korea, meet other people, and help people. I took part in two trips: one to harvest chili peppers for the farmers and one to harvest apples. I had so much fun and interacted with locals. Unforgettable memories. Local team was friendly and kind. I had so much fun with them. As for food, I couldn't be any happier. It was so good. Accommodation was okay. I was in a dorm if 6 person. It was sometimes challenging but bearable for a month.

Highlights definitely included getting to know the Laos people and culture. Spending a couple days a week helping out at the local school and then the other few days during the week making concrete bricks in preparation for a new school. Everyone was so kind and welcoming, and the culture in Luang Prabang is so rich, it was very immersive and very worth it. The work was tough in the heat, but we had a good team of volunteers and it was very rewarding after each day, an experience I will never forget. The local team were amazing! Mickey, Ticky and Onsee: they were beyond supportive and made the time enjoyable. Plus the cook did an amazing job at feeding us - I miss the food already! The accommodation was also very comfortable.

Pickup was amazing and safe driving. Felt quite secure. food was very yummy. For someone who can’t handle much spice, the cook did a great job to cater to our needs. Maybe a salad but that’s just me. Outside of vol, I would relax at the house, explore around the streets to get supplies, laundry and atm. To the gym after 6pm. In free time, have a chill and look around the area a bit more as well. Such inviting environments, with the loveliest people/ children. To be able to try and brighten their day feels quite rewarding.

The volunteering consisting in renovating a school during the week and go to visit cambodia during the week-end. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to easily get abroad. The local teams was wonderful, They are young and friendly, so we spend a lot of time with them. They spend time to share they way of life. The food was mainly local food, so it is nice to discovered it, even if it is not various so get borred after few weeks. The accommodation was perfect, nothing to say more.

Such an amazing experience - the welcome to the village and local culture was very special. The school and teachers were incredible and what I hadn't planned for was how great it would be to meet the other volunteers - there are some inspiring people out there doing good work and it was humbling to meet them. The team was helpful and supportive and the food and accommodation fine for our needs.The local team was informative, welcoming, kind and helpful. Thank you.

I found the supervisors per Email and on site to be very friendly and helpful. Jin, in particular, assisted me greatly. The children were very sweet and open to learning. I also felt secure because we were told what and how to teach. Seoul is a great city, and I would definitely like to return. The accommodation was very clean and very well located. It was close to the train and only a few minutes' walk from Hongdae Center. And as I said, the team on site was very nice and helpful. Especially JIN! I would have liked it better if we had spent more time with the children. And if we had seen one class regularly, we could have built up a little rapport with the children. Or rather, the children would have felt more comfortable because they knew us.

Working with the children in the kindergarten was great, and I also really enjoyed being in different groups. I learned a lot of new things and would do it again. The accommodation was very nice and the food was always very good. The pool is also very nice and great for cooling off. The Team was allways helpfull and super nice. More variety by the food

The trip was incredible!! I learned so much about myself and was able to do so much more than I anticipated I could. I enjoyed meeting people from other countries and forming friendships. I honestly could have stayed longer !!! The local team were fabulous, so welcoming and inclusive. The food was amazing, I really enjoyed the food, the meal times for lunch and dinner were a bit too early but otherwise exceptional. Accommodation was fine, I didn’t expect anything great, so it was exactly as expected. I would have liked more communication about what the program actually included, what exactly I would be teaching, who I would be teaching. For example, I was placed to teach by myself in classroom and had no idea about the syllabus I was meant to be teaching until I arrived.

I loved it. The children were well behaved and had good support from the people that worked there. Good transport to locations as well. Sometimes we do need the teacher to help support or just be there as some just saw it as an escape. The local team were so amazing and helpful , miss them. Beds were a bit stiff but basic. Food was amazing. Loved the fried rice and noodles. Also had an option to go markets. Just beds more comfy probably. Knew that was the consensus of most people.

It was a wonderful experience! So many people from all over the world! We enjoyed every moment of our project from cleaning the beach to plant new mangroves! The place where the volunteers stayed had everything you needed, even a pool to enjoy free time.

At the clinic, I was taught different nursing techniques UNDER SUPERVISION (placing IV lines, vaccinating, suturing, taking vital signs...). This was truly useful when going to rural areas where access to hospitals does not exist. We mostly cared for newborns, children, and pregnant women. We also treated and gave talks on hypertension and diabetes, focusing on both treatment and PREVENTION. During this volunteer experience, I realized how important and crucial prevention is to avoid hospitals from collapsing. In terms of my training as a medical student, I learned and practiced as a family doctor UNDER SUPERVISION, dealing with respiratory problems (pneumonia, asthma...), lower-risk illnesses (fever, digestive issues...), medical check-ups, and minor injuries (animal bites, burns...). The Philippines was a constant journey of contradictions. It showed me that there is beauty in simplicity, resilience in poverty, and freedom in music. I feel that I leave a part of myself in that place, but at the same time, I have carried its essence with me in every moment lived, kept in the form of memories of a medical student. The food and the acommodation was perfect. The family I stayed with, the Villafuerte family and my local team, were my guides; they made me feel that the Philippines was a home even while being far from my own. I will always remember. Everything was perfect

I supported a loving team with daily tasks such as keeping the enclosures clean, shredding antelopes and feeding the kittens. Comments on local team, food and accommodation: Nice and clean accomodation, fresh lunch during the week and a helpful, lovely team.

I did volunteering in Nusa Penida for the turtle conservation program and I enjoyed it alot. I really liked the experience of volunteering and learning something new about the turtles and the culture. I met new people from around the world and I really like working with the turtles. Comments on local team, food and accommodation: The coördinators were very friendly and helpful. They really care about what they do and they help you if you don't understand something. The accomodation was nice and the food was good.

I really enjoyed the experience. The team was amazing, the people I met along the way really made a difference. The project was fun and seeing the kids like our work was heartfelt. I would definitely return to volunteering at some point. The support and involvement of everyone was very motivating as well. Local team and accommodation were amazing, the chefs were super good but I can say that I missed diversity a bit.

The kids were super cute and loved to learn new things. The teachers at the school and the local guides at the accommodation help so much with for example translating or preparing the lessons. You also become so close with the other volunteers which is so much fun! I had the best time ever there! You also have so much free time after the teaching so you can explore the island! The accommodation is located in Taling Ngam which is very local. The people there and the local team are so so kind and helpful. It is a little far though from all of the touristy things, however if you share the taxi costs with the other volunteers it’s not that expensive anymore! The food was fine! We got food 3x a day during the week and on the weekends 2x. It was mostly rice and curry or vegetables however they did always make sure we had fruit which i loved! It would be nice to maybe change up the food a little more, but other than that I am very satisfied with everything! The transportation to the school and the assistance we get is really good and the free transfer on the fridays was also really nice!

For 2 weeks, I volunteered in Otaki Village, a rural town hidden near Kiso-Fukushima in Nagano Prefecture. For the 2 weeks, I worked with the team, helping local students in Kiso learn English through conversation and cultural exchange. It was such a refreshing break from city life. There was no noise, no rush, just quiet mountains, fresh air, and time that moved a little slower. Outside of teaching, I got to explore beautiful temples and shrines, eat home-cooked Japanese meals, and even made a few local friends who showed me the ruralparts of Japan I never would’ve noticed. It was my first time in Japan, and I’m glad that I was able to experience such first with Otaki Village!! The local team was honestly one of the best parts of the experience. Everyone was kind, patient, and friendly. They allowed me to settle down in a foreign place quickly and made me geel safe. Our accommodation was a small, traditional inn with tatami floors and futons, which took a bit of getting used to, but ended up feeling like home. It felt like I was truly experiencing the Japanese culture. Meals were cooked by the chef of the inn and were always something to look forward to. They were simple, fresh, and delicious. I feel as if focusing more on the “meeting with local students” would’ve made me enjoy the volunteer even further. As a highschooler, it was very cool for me to get to meet highschoolers in a different country. Getting to know them was one of my favorite experiences throughout the volunteer!

Review for Teaching in Laos with Involvement Volunteers International :) Incredible! Loved the school, the teachers and the kids. Comments on local team, food and accommodation: Food was great! Ticky and Micky were awesome.

Volunteering in Fiji was the most amazing experience. I throughly enjoyed each and every moment! The local team were friendly and welcoming, providing great food and company throughout my stay. The accommodation was basic, yet comfortable and had everything you needed.

I went for four weeks in Bali to teach English in a kindergarten to children. I made it throug games and exercises. They were very friendly and respectful. They have immediately considered me as their teacher. They knew very little English but all that I had to do was smile and use gestures. For any help I could asked to the teacher who knew English. One week the school was closed for a celebration so I cleaned a beach and I started a new activitie to renovate a school. I also participated at a celebration and it was very interesting! It was a really good experience that I suggest for everyone! Local team was fun and helpful. I ate local food but not only and everything was delicious! Every Thursday there was a special dinner with all the staff and the volunteers! My accomodation was simple but good.

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.

Is was great, the local team make sure that I had the veste expérience ever. While I was there we experienced some huge flooding so we helped the community to recover from it and it was a really strong experience. I never thought before in front of the class but I really enjoyed, the children were adorable The local team was really great !! Always nice and welcoming. The food also was really really good and the accommodation was perfect.

The volunteering trip was truly amazing and eye-opening. Getting to know the local people and their culture really made this trip so significant for me. The volunteering work with the kids was amazing. Everything was well organized and I had so much fun being there and getting to help the teacher and the class. The local team were very helpful. They provided us with all the information on the local customs and traditions as well as what to expect from the visit. The food and accommodation were also very good. I was happy that I got to experience what it's like to live in a traditional Fijian home.

I started with the cultural week, which was a nice introduction to the place and its culture (I would just recommend to reduce the amount of time dedicated to the “commercial” part/the shopping). Volunteering was amazing. About special needs words cannot describe how beautiful it was spending time at that home. We were many volunteers, all sharing this thought. Teaching to the village kids was very nice as well: the place was wonderful and the kids very kind and polite, and so happy to learn. I really enjoyed it! The local team is amazing. All the coordinators were very kind and helpful, they are flexible and they constantly check with you if everything is fine: thanks everybody! The food was good, with veg/non-veg options. The accommodation is ok, everything is clean. I appreciated that when I asked to change my room with a different one, and after some days, they immediately agreed; it shows that they care.

It was an amazing week working with a diverse group of volunteers from around the world. We got to experience working with turtles from nearly hatched to around 8 months old. They were extremely cute and you could really see the impact of the volunteering when we released them into the wild. It became clear after working there for a few days that volunteers are essential to keeping the project going so it felt good to be part of something that can help ensure the survival of these beautiful animals. With turtles needing almost 20 years to come back to breed, the beaches and island change so much in that time with development and pollution it is more important than ever that we do what we can. The team were very kind and great to work with. They made the hard tasks fun and always had a smile on their face. It was also great to end the week with the bonfire where we shared about our experience. A special thank you to the chefs and servers who tirelessly prepared all our meals for the week.

I volunteered to help look after some elephants on a sanctury . I’m 60 years old & was aware most volunteers would be much younger & I was right. The work was hard at times, especially with the heat, but the support & encouragement and advice I got was brilliant and I managed to complete my three weeks & do all jobs required. Hands on work with the elephants was fantastic. The local co-ordinating team were very helpful with all aspects. Accommodation & food was adequate and clean. Food wasn’t always to my liking but that’s just personal taste.

What was the volunteering like? I liked the project. We learned the children a lot about nutrition and healthcare. The kids are very sweet. Comments on local team, food and accommodation: Everything was good.

I am deeply grateful for the privilege of getting to spend time with these women. Many of them were married at a young age and received very little education, but their determination to learn is inspiring. Getting to know them has given me a deeper appreciation for all the opportunities I have had in my life and it is incredibly rewarding to be able to share some of that with them. I have been able to see the difference I have made in such a short time and I have enjoyed learning from them as well. The local team has shown such wonderful hospitality and I have felt supported throughout my time here. The food is delicious and I have enjoyed learning how to prepare some traditional food. The people are very warm and welcoming and I will miss them greatly. It would be helpful to have a curriculum to follow so that we are able to teach more effectively and help the women learn as much as possible while they are at the school.

A life experience! Food program was very fulfilling, I felt useful and loved shearing moment with locals. I didn’t “cook” or prepared food as I expected, but I enjoyed anyways. We served the trays and filled the containers for take away meals. After working, we ate lunch at the food shop with the workers of the restaurant, and food was delicious! The afternoons were free time, to visit the city, enjoy moments with your new friends or have a nap. Weekends are for discovering the county, going to another city or another county. I visited Mui Né and Hoi An and really liked it. I met lots of people, had fun and practiced my english! The local team is adorable! They are always there if any help is needed or to recommend us places to visit. The food is good and the accommodation as well. Describe better what we will to at the food shop, because I expected to help cooking and learn local dishes, but food was already prepared when we arrived at the food shop every morning. We served food.

My trip to the Philippines was extraordinary, I was in the education program. This experience allowed me to discover a culture but also to help others on my scale. I recommend this program the local team was caring and always there to listen to you and the food was very good as was the accommodation.

I had a great experience teaching and would definitely recommend it. Comments on local team, food and accommodation..The local team was always open for improvement and offered many amazing experiences.

The construction was working on a community park. The local children worked with us on moving dirt with the wheelbarrows – very nice to see them care about their park and interest in us. The only downside in the project was that it was monsoon season which made outdoor work difficult. Local accommodations in Kathmandu were great! Very comfortable and afforded us an opportunity to interact with volunteers from around the globe. The local team was the best ever. Well managed, very professional and very helpful in all things for Nepal. Food was great, cleaning was great.

I volunteerd in Indonesia. I did their turtle conservation project in Nusa Penida. I loved how friendly the people were that also volunteerd. Comments on local team, food and accommodation, everything was very neat. The rooms were good, the food was fine and the local team was really kind.

We collected waste on the streets, cared for the baby turtles (fed them, cleaned them, cleaned their tank) and on my last day I was participating in letting them free :) Comments on local team, food and accommodation, local team was sooo nice, helpful, and very openhearted! And even played live music for us daily and organized a bonfire! Loved it!

The people were very welcoming. The local team arranged for everything, from pick-up over transport and accommodation to food, very well. It's so nice to see the eagerness of the children to learn. The children (and people in general) are so polite, respectful and joyful. Great to see them open up to you when they get their trust and confidence. As mentioned above, the local team coordinated, supported, communicated, facilitated in a superb way!

The trip was so interesting in terms of the diverse activities we did and the animals we could see. it was a dream to see the savanna and the animals and we had the opportunity to do a safari in masai mara which was amazing. we didn't expect to do that many activities, we visited touristic places in the first 2 weeks. the weather was great, sunny but not too hot and then it became hotter and hotter but still nice. the program with the giraffes was amazing, seeing these giants for real and in the natural environment is something else. they are such wonderful animals and we are grateful to have helped for their conservation. The local team was helpful, kind and Laban is the best guide! they made our experience in Kenya unforgettable and easy. we really appreciated the food and the accommodation was great, except some water issues but always solved in 1 day. Maybe updating some infos on the website because it is written "no wifi" in the accommodation.

Everything was amazing! Cultural week was very interesting and I really enjoy it, it was a nice introduction to a different culture. Volunteering was amazing: volunteering with the elderly was so rewarding. In the afternoon I volunteered with the slum kids, which was another great experience. Local team was wonderful. Harseerat and Kallyan are so nice and helpful. They supported me during volunteering (they volunteered with me, and you can see how the kids and the elderly love them), and they helped me to experience all aspects of the local culture (food experiences included!). I was the only volunteer but I never felt alone. Food was delicious, always fresh and varied. Accomodation is amazing, not only the house/room, but the location as well. I have really loved this program, keep on!

My daughter (18) and I (54) had a great time volunteering at the elephant project. First of all everything was very good organized by involvement volunteer international in combination with volunteer world. All questions were answered quickly. We felt very good beeing taken care of while doing the booking, preparing the journey and during our stay. We were taken to the elephant camp by a private driver five days a week. The trip took one hour each way. However, it passed quickly as every day there was something different to discover on our way there. Beeing with the elephants was an amazing, unforgettable time. There were five elephants (50/60/10/4 and 1 year old). Our daily work started with cleaning the area, removing the elephant pu and leftover food, feeding them, preparing vitamin balls, going for a walk with them, bathing them in the river, sometimes collecting wood for a fireplace. We had one hour lunch time. We got every day very lovely food and fresh fruits and had enough time to relax and observing the elephants. The Manager, a very nice man, liked to tell us many things and answered all our 100 questions ;-) We learnt so much about the elephants. It was an amazing experience. As well as having an international exchange with the other volunteers at the accomodation. It was so interesting to hear and learn about the other foreign countries. During our stay and our time at the elephant camp we were accompanied by a Thai coordinator. She was doing the work together with us and was the whole time available. We had a great time and it felt (still feels) like beeing friends. We learnt so many things about the country and the locals. The coordinator at the accomodation and all the other staff as the cook/housekeeping and the driver were very very nice, made feel us very comfortable, tried to assist and help whenever needed. We felt very good taken care of at all times. The food was traditonal Thai food, always nicely prepared. Every day we got fresh fruits. The cook even asked us if we had a favorite dish she might once prepare. The accomodation was very fine. It was a big villa, quiet located at a pond, next to a golf course. Everything seemed freshly renovated and was very clean. We booked a private room and therefore had a bathroom and toilette at our own. The other volunteers shared a room and had bathrooms outside on the floor. However, there were many bathrooms, so each person had one bathroom for himself. Three days a week we did an excursion/visited a market together with the other volunteers. Therefore we had free transportation. We also had tabletennis and bikes we could have used.

It was a really great experience. Never thought that it’ll be this good. Thanks to everyone:) Comments on local team, food and accommodation: Really nice stuff and restaurants. Accommodation was clean and nice.

Because the rain, I couldn’t go to the school and I jumped into another project. It didn’t match with my son of 2.5years old. The first week has been really hard. The second week was better. The team who support me in the project has been fantastic. They listened to me, gave me support and options. From the 3de week, my son and I could start properly our voluntaring job in the school. From that moment it has been amazing. The teachers and the children were great. I got the opportunity to teach my first yoga class with kids and we were included for the Christmas festival ( my son has been on the stage with the kids of our class). Local team has been fantastic and awesome. Great skills of Listening to, supporting and helping. Good time with the family host.

It’s an incredible experience that you have to do at least once in your life. It is a great pleasure to help these clerks. They are welcoming and caring people. All our coordinators are there with us and take care of us so that everything goes as well as possible and that we enjoy our humanitarian mission. The local team is superb! The food is very good too. It allows you to taste local food and it’s incredible. As for the room, it is a dormitory for 6 people but it is possible to request a private room. What’s great is that it’s still time to volunteer we have free time to visit.

Volunteering in Bali, Indonesia has been a WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL experience. I had the opportunity to volunteer for 3 weeks to a sixth grade group and I learned much more than I imagined. Bali and its people stay in my heart forever. The whole team and people are WONDERFUL people and very professional, they always made me feel at home. My room and spaces always clean and everything very green and beautiful. The food was perfect for me, a lot of fruits and veggies. THANK YOU for so much.

I loved working with the children every single day. The children never failed to be polite and enthusiastic about their learning. They were a dream to teach by always wanting to improve and to better their understanding. The teachers at the school were friendly and helpful. The town was a lovely place to live for 2 months. I felt that I really got to know the local people and to embed myself in the culture! The team were friendly and helpful. The food was healthy and delicious. We had 3 cooked Khmer meals a day. The accommodation was comfortable although hot showers would have been nice!

I highly enjoyed our trip to Cambodia. My favourite memories were during class breaks playing games with the students and local teachers. Volunteering was hard work but the most rewarding and enjoyable experience I’ve ever had. Our local coordinator Borin was incredibly helpful and friendly, he made us feel so safe and supported. The local teachers were all amazing and kind and we enjoyed getting to know them all. The cook we had was amazing and she was also lovely, the food was delicious.

The trip was good. Meet people and the turtles are so cute. . Nusa penida it's a beautiful island. And volunteering was a really great experience because you know you're helping and give time to make a difference. The accommodations are really nice and also the food lot of vegetarian food. Maybe had more of local food will be better I think. The local team is great :)

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible experience I had during the medical aid volunteering trip to Aborlan last week. Your dedication and support played a significant role in making my time in the Philippines both memorable and enriching. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly welcomed and made to feel at home, thanks to the wonderful team. Their hospitality, the amazing food, and the overall care they provided were exceptional. I would also like to give a special shoutout to April, my coordinator for the healthcare programme. She went above and beyond to ensure I had ample opportunities to learn and observe, and her guidance and care were invaluable. The programme itself was nothing short of amazing. Being able to go around the village conducting health checks for the elderly and children was an incredible experience. It was eye-opening to learn about the various barriers people face when accessing local health clinics, including stigma, costs, and the lack of resources and medical facilities. This experience deepened my understanding of the challenges in rural healthcare and the importance of community-based interventions. Working at the Rural Health Unit in Aborlan was both intense and rewarding. I had the opportunity to put my medical skills into practice by assisting with patient consultations at the front of the centre. It was a fast-paced environment where I quickly learned to recognize symptoms and determine the necessary medications within a short span of time. This hands-on experience was invaluable in honing my clinical skills and decision-making abilities. One of the most striking realisations for me was the extent to which the communities in Aborlan are under-resourced. The state of the hospital was poor, with a lack of equipment and severe understaffing. Despite these challenges, I was deeply impressed by the knowledge and dedication of the doctors. Their ability to treat patients effectively with limited resources exemplifies the essence of grassroots medicine. This experience has profoundly influenced my perspective on medical practice and the resilience required in such settings. Another highlight of my trip was spending time with the children in school. The joy and love they radiated were truly heartwarming. Their infectious enthusiasm reminded me of the simple yet profound aspects of life. Through my interactions with them, I learned to practice gratitude and appreciate the small blessings in life. Their spirit and positivity left a lasting impact on me. I became especially close to a beautiful little girl named Anna, I would love to come back and visit her again! The people I met in Aborlan, both in the community and within the volunteer team, made this experience the best it could be. Their warmth, kindness, and resilience have inspired me deeply. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this community, even for a short period. I am already looking forward to returning to Tigman to volunteer again and continue contributing in any way I can. Thank you once again for everything. Your efforts in coordinating this programme and ensuring our well-being have made a significant difference. I truly appreciate your kindness, care, and the opportunities you provided for me to grow both personally and professionally. This experience has been transformative, and I am excited to carry these lessons forward in my journey in medicine. Warm Regards, Janine

I really liked the volunteering because it gave me so much insight on Thai culture and also on the school structure. It was interesting to see how different the individual schools and children were. I also really liked socializing with the other volunteers. The accommodation was good and I also really liked the pool. The Team was always nice and helpful and provided a great Support. The food was good especially on Thursday.

Volunteering was the best experience of my life ! The turtles are so cute and it was very fulfilling to take care of them. I met loads of amazing people, visited places that looked absolutely out of this world, and gained lots of independence. I feel as though this experience has changed me as a person, I’ve learnt a lot. The coordinators are amazing: they’re easygoing, funny, dedicated and always there to make you smile. The food and the accommodation was excellent.

I had an amazing time at the animal shelter! Cuddling with puppies and kittens was definitely a highlight. In addition to the cute moments, there was also plenty of hands-on work like feeding, cleaning cages, and walking the dogs. I also got to help out in the animal hospital, where I cared for animals after surgeries and helped nurse weaker animals back to health. The best part of all was the puppy bath party – absolutely adorable and so much fun! I also had incredibly kind and helpful colleagues, with whom I had lots of great exchanges. This gave me a real insight into life in Fiji. The experience was not only enriching in terms of working with animals but also culturally invaluable. The accommodation was lovely, and the food was delicious. The animal shelter was easy to reach with the express bus, which made commuting simple. Masi and his wife are incredibly kind and always there whenever you need help. They really made my stay even more special with their warmth and hospitality. I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves animals and wants to have a meaningful, enriching time in Fiji!

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.

It was my first volunteering experience and I had a wonderful time. Even though I was in the “Teaching” program instead of my planned “Health Education” program, it was a life-enriching experience to teach a 3rd grade class in english, math and social studies. The people in Fiji are extremely friendly and open-minded. Every day was full of good vibes and laughter. I would like to come back one day. The coordinators were lovely people and took care of everyone. I enjoyed the good food and the accomodation was sufficient. It felt like home in a big family.

What an amazing experience! Volunteering in Fiji was an experience I will never forget. Being able to provide much need care and knowledge to the local communities on health and nutrition was so rewarding. We got a real taste of the Fijian culture! I can't wait to be able to volunteer again. Masi and Mere were fantastic hosts! We dd have very little protein to eat (something I personally struggled with) and we did go to the shops often to stock up tuna tuna and more tuna! Acommodation was great. It would be great to have a refresh of supplies (BP cuffs and stethoscopes) to use as we had to do a fair few repairs on equipment.

The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. I am grateful for this experience, for the people I met and for the wonderful people who cared for us throughout the 2 weeks. This trip has inspired me to pursue work in global health and the pacific islands, and I hope one day I will be back to reconnect with the beautiful people I met on this trip!

I am so blessed to have been lead by amazing dietician and naturopathic professionals who have inspired what I hope to be in this field one day. Words and pictures could never capture how life changing this experience was, and what beautiful souls these people hold. Pictures also don’t capture how challenging and uncomfortable it was at times, but it was worth it to change at least one persons life. Thank you to the Fijian culture for teaching ME life lessons and for opening my eyes to so many things I was blind to before.

What a fantastic trip. Getting the opportunity to live in a village for a week was so incredibly special, and all of our hosts quickly became like family. The work itself was challenging at times but very rewarding, and I felt like we were making a difference within the communities that we worked in. We were also so lucky to have such an amazing group of women from many different backgrounds; definitely some lifelong friends made from this experience and their hard work and comradery made the trip all the more special. International nutrition is a field I've been interested in working in for 4 years now, and I feel that this trip has increased my skills, my knowledge base and my drive to continue with this work. I would highly recommend doing this trip for the experience, the beautiful people of Fiji, the memories, the lifelong friends and the opportunity to spend time out of your comfort zone and build a stronger you.

There were so many highlights to this trip! However the one that stood out the most was living in Moala village for one week. The team of us who were placed in Moala were instantly taken in by the family we were living and were made to feel part of the family. The people we visited in Moala, Yako and Korovuto were so welcoming and grateful to receive health checks. Visiting people in their homes and in the community halls within the villages, it was evident culture and family are so important. The women that live in these villages are the centre to their families, they care for their families and sometimes this can impact negatively on their health. It is important that we conducted health checks on these women because it provides an opportunity for them to make lifestyle changes that will improve their health so they can be healthy for longer and care for their families. There are local champiosn within each of the communities which provides a sense of hope that they will influence others within the community to take care of their health and make healthier food choices. One observation I found interesting was the traditional Fijian diet eaten in the villages. The food was not particuarly unhealthy, however the addition of flour, sugar and simple carbohydrates (e.g. rice and casava) in very large amounts eaten on a daily basis is contributing towards high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. Changes take time, and by community members making small changes to their diet blood pressure and blood sugar levels will improve. This trip was challenging, rewarding, overwhelming, amazing and so enjoyable. I am grateful for this experience, for the people I met and for the wonderful people who cared for us throughout the 2 weeks. This trip has inspired me to pursue work in global health and the pacific islands, and I hope one day I will be back to reconnect with the beautiful people I met on this trip :) The local team were wonderful. It was great to be able to live with the local team for 2 weeks and enjoy traditional cooked food and listen to their stories and feel part of their family. The food provided on the trip was great, however one recommendation would be to include more protein in each of the meals so volunteers feel satisfied throughout the day. The accomodation was lovely and was nice to be able to share with other team members because this allowed us to get to know one another and share stories and debrief about our day doing health health checks in the villages. It would be great to provide volunteers with more detail on accomodation prior to the trip starting. Also a very high level itinerary would be helfpul in the lead up to the trip, however I understand 'Fiji time' and that plans can change and a detailed schedule may not be ideal.

Looking after dogs, cats and puppies was my main task. Taking them for a walk and giving them lots of love is the best thing you can do. Some of them went through a lot so they needed you much more. So grateful for the everyone I got to know the last two weeks! Accommodation & food were great!

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!

It was so fulfilling to interact and connect with the youth in the villages and schools. I enjoyed teaching the children how to wash their hands and brush their teeth in the schools. The kids were so eager to learn and they couldn’t stop smiling and hugging myself and the other volunteers. It was touching to see how happy the people of Fiji are, even though they do not have a lot of money, the community is super tight and connected. The local team was extremely welcoming and friendly. It was very easy to contact them if you needed anything. Transportation always arrived on time. The food was delicious and included some traditional Fijian cuisine. The accommodation was close to nearby hotels, restaurants, shopping and beaches!

The nutrition project in Fiji was a very eye opening experience. It allowed me to learn more about Fiji as a nation and more about the ill-fated issues that affect a majority of their population, all while using my available skills to help out where possible. It was a great way for me to be exposed to more of the nation’s people’s and cultures, which I was very honoured to be a part of. The volunteering experience was very hectic but also felt very rewarding, trying to provide health check ups for people who may not have as much access to medical checks. The people of the villages and places we visited were so welcome and kind, it made the entire experience very enjoyable and fulfilling. It was also very surprising seeing the cases of high BP or sugar levels across the population, alerting me to some of the major issues experienced by the population. Overall, I learnt so much from this experience and enjoyed every minute of it and hope to delve into similar projects again to further my interests and knowledge of healthcare around the world. Our volunteer facilitator Carrun and Mary were lovely and very accomodating for the entire trip. I never felt like I could not ask a question with them. The local team that I worked with were very friendly and easy to get along with. The food provided by the host family was delicious and plentiful, it felt like a little feast every day. The families holding the dinner were all very accomodating and welcoming of their home, and their treatment towards us was very heartwarming, providing us with a place to stay as well as a lot of amazing local food. The accomodation at the farm was a unique stay that overall was very different but enjoyable as I spent a good amount of time away from the online world and focused more on things that didn’t require electricity or the internet. Whilst adjusting to it was different, over time the accomodation became very cosy and enjoyable with my volunteer group. Overall, the local team, food and accomodation was great!

Unlike being on a typical holiday, I loved being immersed in Fijian culture by living and working with local people. It’s a really special way to get to know a place! I wasn’t sure how I would deal emotionally with volunteering at an orphanage, but I was pleasantly surprised by how happy and well loved the children were. It was a relatively small orphanage with only nineteen children and therefore the carers (aka “nana’s”) could make it a homely environment. I was touched by what I saw during my time in Fiji. I feel that Fijian people really value their community and are very grateful for what they have, even if it’s just enough to get by. It was nice to be reminded of these values while enjoying the beautiful Fijian hospitality, weather and music. Just like all of the previous volunteers have said, Masi and Mere were lovely to stay with! I felt very comfortable from the first night I landed in Fiji. It was nice having the lounge and dining area to hang out with the other volunteers and it was always a pleasure to come home to a lovely home-cooked dinner prepared by Mere each day! Mere also helped me to purchase a local SIM and travel card and oriented me to Lautoka town so that I could independently travel to the orphanage each day. While I was able to assist with the day-to-day activities at the orphanage, I feel it would have been more beneficial if I had contacted the Home through IVI to discuss if there was something specific that they needed assistance with. This would have allowed me to better prepare my time and resources before arriving. I really enjoyed my time in Fiji and appreciated your help with organizing the trip

It was a fulfilling experiences to help such beautiful people that are facing very serious but preventable health issues. The services, accommation etc. provided by IVI were far better than I could of ask for. The other volunteers were all wonderful, friendly people, with a shared desire to give their time to help others and work as a team.’ The biggest highlight for me was the connections and time spent with Fijian people in the village. The people were without reason so genuinely friendly and beautiful even though by ‘our standards’ they have little in terms of everyday living. It was a real privilege to stay in the remote villages and see how the people live, eat there food most of which was grown in the village and stay in there homes. Health checks was also a great experience and I really enjoyed the face to face time with the villages gathering information on the lifestyle and health. It was an extremely rewarding feeling at the end of the day after doing health checks, especially when we would find people with dangerous reading and send them away to hospital as simply as presences there may have saved that persons life. I really did love every minute of the trip to be honest. Jules our program manager was amazing I feel she was perfect for the role as she really knew how to keep things in order, get things done and had confidence to deal with serious and confronting situations in terms of some of the medical emergency BSL and BP reading that we got. The food was great as we got to have lots of traditional Fijian food which was just what I wanted. Accommodation was better than I would have asked for even when we stayed in the village homes on the floor this was exactly the experienced I wanted. It is hard to think of any improvements as any inconveniences on the trip were more to do with the economic status of the country and availability of the everyday resources rather than anything IVI could have done better. Sometimes it was hard to get sufficient food I needed for the day but this is because I am vegetarian and in the remote places there was not always many options. Thanks heaps, Ben ?

As a group, we bonded and gained great insight into the public health situation in Fiji. Through this process, we felt welcomed, making a tangible impact on the communities and witnessing health outcomes we otherwise may never have seen. Through the 4 days we spent in the community, both remote and urban, we gained tangible skills from taking blood pressure to measuring blood glucose as well as communication and time management skills. One of the most memorable experiences was our stay at the farm, during which we experienced an authentic Fijian lifestyle that was unlike anything I’d experienced before. The people we met there were incredibly welcoming and grateful and overall, I would highly recommend this program. The local team were super helpful and welcoming. We had the pleasure of meeting Masi and Mere who went above and beyond to accommodate us, treating us as their own family. The home cooked meals were delicious and provided great insight the culture of the local people. Accommodation provided by the team was also comfortable and clean. Overall, a very positive experience.

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.

We enjoyed our volunteering experience in Fiji and loved interacting with the warm and welcoming Fijian people. Masi and Mare were great hosts and made our stay as comfortable as possible. It was also nice to meet and enjoy the company of Chris and Ruby and hear of their experiences each day. Sampreeti loved her experience of volunteering in the kindergarten as well as accompanying us on the health checks door to door for those who were too disabled to attend clinics in person. We also went to a special needs school (Sunshine School) one day with one of the chief guests who was attending a function at the kindergarten. I donated my bp instrument to the health visitor Aseni and hope it will help her monitor the health of her community through discussion with her local medical personnel. Sampreeti also donated a small amount of stationary supplies to the school for the little students. The school and the Lovu Hart Community were very kind welcoming. I gave a small health talk and watched Aseni deliver a talk to the children and parents on health issues. I enjoyed working with Aseni who was a diligent and caring health visitor. We will carry happy memories of our visit to Fiji. Thank you. Thanks, once again, Dr Susmita & Sampreeti

Visiting pele island and interacting with the community there. Seeing the local champions be so interested in nutrition and want to learn how to help their community. Experiencing the culture of vanuatu, even island time and understanding their circumstances and culture more the provide better advice e.g. using their healthy plate model Lynne and Marysan were amazing, super welcoming and friendly and willing to help with anything and everything. Carrun was great in making sure we were comfortable and open to all suggestions. She knew when to give space and when to step in and make sure we were safe. They all were super loving and we couldn’t have done it without any of them. The accommodation had a very good breeze but a bit difficult with the amount of power points, could suggest to bring a power board but definitely a good place for volunteers to stay at. The manager was super clean and always making sure to keep everything neat. The food provided was slightly repetitive over time and would have loved to taste more local traditional food. The traditional dishes provided were amazing but only few were provided. Thank you so much and kind regards, Emmy

The land and the people of Fiji were amazing. I loved being there with Involvement Volunteers International. Comments on local team, food and accommodation: The food was the best and I enjoyed every meal during my stay.

I enjoyed working at the animal shelter, and being able to use my experience in veterinary to help the shelter. My favorite week was when I was working at the shelter and they let me do an outreach clinic in RakiRaki for one week. At the outreach clinic we met with the Ministry of Agriculture and facilitated a spay/neuter and release program. It was very remote, and we stayed in a ‘bure’. The property had a private beach and pool! It was incredible! The stay was an AirB&B, and it had many feral cats on the premises. One day when we got done early we asked the owner if he wanted us to de-sex his cats, and he happily agreed. So we desexed animals on the porch of our bure in view of the ocean. I really liked the people that I worked with at Animals Fiji and they made me feel at home. At the end of my trip, they threw a little party for me, with pop and treats. They gave me a tote bag and thank-you note that everyone signed heart-felt messages. Even after I was done with the animal shelter program, I met a shelter employee in Suva for dinner after a day of health checks. At the nutrition outreach It was sad to see the high blood pressure and blood glucose levels. It was rough to see some people with hypertension, because they had already had multiple strokes. During the project I got the sense from a lot of people that they were not going to take my advice, but many people really seemed to want help, and that made all the difference! The Team: Danielle, Masi and Mere, and the Animals Fiji Team were great and very helpful. The accommodation was very nice, comfortable, and clean. It was actually much nicer than I expected. I got to try many new things. Some I really enjoyed, others not so much. It is about what I expected when eating a diet completely new. I really got homesick for foods that I am used to, but I knew that when I went to Fiji I would eat completely different things. Mere always had the house stocked with food, and made sure that I knew I was welcome to It.

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.

Will definitely be interested in doing some more volunteering in the near future. Highlights of the trip: Teaching the kids at Nokonoko District was very fulfilling. Learning more about the Fijian language and overall culture. Day trip to snorkel with sharks on Kuata Island (part of the Yasawa Islands). Meeting and making friends with my coordinators and fellow volunteers. The coordinators at Sigatoka were excellent, they were friendly, very helpful and a good support system. The food was also very enjoyable and an experience within itself. Accommodation was good, and the location was amazing.

The highlight for me was the home stay option, being able to stay with a family and make a real connection was the best experience. To be greeted by a really nice family who welcomed me into their home. It was great to see how they lived including eating, sleeping and everyday chores. Masi, his wife Mere and their son Marika were so nice! Marika was there waiting for me at the airport. They made me feel very welcomed (even had Mere check my hair for head lice). The accommodation with them was very nice, clean house, very comfy beds and I felt safe. Also a great location, easy to walk to town and back. Mere made nice food for dinner every night. The food at the accommodation was really good and traditional, getting me to try a lot of local cuisine. My room was nice and the bathroom was also nice, very clean house.

Travelling with Carrun and just a small group of girls who were all amazing….going around the Mamanuca Islands and working in different communities each day was really cool. Epic team and i’d love to volunteer again with the same group of amazing girls if I could! Carrun was a legend and made the trip super fun.

I went over there to volunteer with those who needed it most but came back only to realise that it was me who needed to volunteer!!! I made so many friends and lasting connections but more than that I discovered how amazing and quite selfish it is to volunteer due to the amount of joy, fulfilment and love I recieved. My favourite quote that relates to this trip is that there is only one happiness in life - to love and be loved and that has never felt so real The kids were the cutest humans ever and being able to work closely with them was so moving! I was situated in a little village town called Yandua where there was only 9 kids in my Kindergarten! The teacher was also the sweetest human ever! My highlight of the trip would have to be the friendships created across the world and the topic of the table which was travel! I learnt so many new phrases from different languages and I also caught as many of them called it the travel bug which has now made me want to travel to so many parts of the volunteer and volunteer with such an amazing organisation!!! This was the most fulfilling and rewarding volunteer experience ever and I’m so grateful to have embarked on this journey until next time VINAKA (thank you in Fijian) The local team were the most beautiful humans I’ve ever met they were so accomodating, caring and they had everything well planned out! More than they were cooking, cleaning and organising they were our friends and I thought that was super special They ensured that we felt loved, valued and accepted as well as immersing ourselves in Fijian culture and experiences! The food was the perfect mix of Western Style and Traditional Fijian dishes and the accomodation was super lovely … I was lucky enough to stay in a hotel called Casablanca which was super nice and the staff their were lovely. No improvements needed this was an amazing experience!!!

Highlights of the trip: – Meeting all the children. In particular joining them at meals times and getting to know them. – I had collected 22.5kgs of craft supplies to take over for the children. We had craft sessions together where we let our imagination run wild and created all sorts! It was great to see the children being creative with all the supplies I had managed to source. – During my stay I became part of the family of my host. She exposed me to what it really is like to be part of a FIjian family. Whilst I was there her uncle in law passed away and I was able to attend the funeral and burial with her and her family. This was an amazing cultural experience for me. – As a result of the cyclone there were people within the community that had lost their homes. Outside of the orphanage work, Mila, my host also helps the community. We went and visited a family who had lost their home which was a very humbling experience. She has managed to find donors to build them a new house which will be able to withstand future cyclones. Comments on the team, food and accommodation: – My host was the director of the orphange which made it very easy to integrate into the team and living arrangements. – All team members are very lovely. However, you need to put yourself out there and keep asking them for things to do to make the most of your time. Talk to everyone and have a go at everything. – Food was great. We ate mostly local food. They were generally able to cater for my gluten intolerance which was appreciated. – Accomodation was beautiful and had everything you need.

The trip was the most incredible experience of my life. It sounds overdramatic to describe it like this but the combination of the people and the program was amazing. I met beautiful people and shared the best experiences - we've already planned trips to see each other after the program! The local team were beautiful people. They made sure we were comfortable and well fed. The accommodation was kept clean and tidy. A plumbing issue was dealt with quickly.

I can’t express enough how much Meki, Tima and Paulina took care of me. They would even fan me when I was eating and if I was lying on the front deck (anywhere I was actually if they thought it was needed?) I’ve never been fanned before? Sitting up the head of the table being fanned and continually fed was definitely a new experience! I felt like Queen Joey? They also prepared me the most beautiful bedroom. I have arranged to visit Meki and his beautiful family again in October. Also a lovely lady Karalaini from the one of the hotels I stayed in has asked me to her parents village while I’m there. I’m very excited to be seeing everyone! I’ll also get to see the ladies at the women’s commune as Karalaini’s Grandma lives there. This is Karalaini I met at a hotel I stayed in. She is the lady taking me to her village. There’s always a positive if I hadn’t stayed in hotels at times I wouldn’t of met her:) I truly had the best time thank you. I just absolutely love volunteering☀️ Thank you also for always getting back to me Lauren explaining everything to me and helping me every step of the way, x Jo

Volunteering was excellent, I got to experience what it was like to be working with animals in Fiji. I had conversations with locals which gave me great insight into religious and cultural beliefs which impact animal control. Being immersed in local culture was fantastic and gave an experience which I would not have had the chance outside of this project. Our home stay was lovely, always willing to help out and teach us about the local culture.

It was so amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone. Being with the kids at the kindergarten was such a fun and rewarding experience where I learnt so much about the kids, Fijian culture and myself! I met some absolutely incredible humans through this experience who now have become lifelong friends who I can’t wait to visit all over the world. All the coordinators were so lovely and created such a welcoming environment. I really enjoyed the food, being vegetarian I was worried about the food situation but the coordinators were so accommodating and made an entirely vegetarian meal specifically for my cousin and I every day. The accommodation was also nice and comfortable.

I loved getting to know the locals and experiencing what it’s like in a shelter/clinic in Fiji. Comments on local team, food and accommodation...... Food was great. Great to try more traditional meals.

I had a great time! I am thankful for the trip ? Returning to the Melbourne cold has been a bit of a freeze haha Here is my feedback! The trip would not have been the same without the amazing pals I shared it with. Sharing this experience with them was bonding to the max haha. The rural villages were definitely a highlight of the trip! The villagers are incredibly friendly and caring, and they were grateful for our health checks as much as we were grateful for their hospitality. One particular villager, which was our live-in rooster, was most entertaining. Every evening he would climb the tree outside our bedroom and would wake us up no earlier than 4am, all I can say is that we were very ready for the day ahead haha. The amazing Danielle, our super coordinator, my personal hero, what a babe. Mere, my mother from another country. Food wise, I’ve learnt that my body can eat way more carbs than I thought possible haha. This trip has expanded my recipe book, not sure I can live without roti parcels and that marvellous spinach recipe now haha. Sharing the accomodation with the rest of the team made it feel like home, which eased my apprehension. I’m not sure if there’s too much that can be done with Fiji time, but other than that I would have loved a bit more pre-departure information regarding the family we would be staying with, as well as an itinerary for the trip. Just so that I can assure my family, friends, and myself, that I’m not just rocking up and hoping for the best haha.

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

I learnt so many new skills and have seen a new perspective on the animal industry in a third world country. I loved being apart of both the shelter team and clinic and applying my own strengths to them as well as developing my weaknesses. My highlight was being able to observe and help at the Loutoka desexing drive.The team were lovely. The accomodation was good. There was only one night where there was no food provided. This would have been fine if we had known in advance.

Will definitely be interested in doing some more volunteering in the near future. Highlights of the trip: Teaching the kids at Nokonoko District was very fulfilling. Learning more about the Fijian language and overall culture. Day trip to snorkel with sharks on Kuata Island (part of the Yasawa Islands). Meeting and making friends with my coordinators and fellow volunteers. The team: The coordinators at Sigatoka were excellent, they were friendly, very helpful and a good support system. The food was also very enjoyable and an experience within itself. Accommodation was good, ? and the location was amazing.

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!!!!

Everyone we met was so lovely and we had such a good time. Extremely rewarding and we felt like we were applying our knowledge to help the community. Highlight – having the villages provide us local food. Team - Masi and Mari (and their extended family) were so incredibly accomodating, kind and informative. They ensured we were as comfortable as could be. Food – fresh and beautifully home made. Really helped us feel at home Accomodation – Latouka homes were very comfortable and even the farm was as comfortable as could be Carrun – very, very kind and helpful. Her experiences were very valuable and equipped us to go out as a team to the villages and have a great time

Outstanding Local Coordinators: Teva, Ranandi, Losana, GG – friendly – helpful – efficient – well mannered – thoughtful, etc. Excellent cook Ani – great food; varied; sufficient; nutritous; well balanced. Accommodation comfortable, well located, clean. Persons at Rock Christian Academy were welcoming and super helpful. Memorable experience! Thank you.

I just wanted to thank you for this opportunity. I know I was hesitant to stay a week alone, but I am so so grateful I did. My time was life changing. The children taught me so much and gave me so much happiness. I just wanted to share some of these photos we took! Your program helped me so much and I would love to somehow be apart of your team or work for you guys.

The accomodation was great, host family kind, helpful and friendly. Food was great but the experience helping at the orphanage was incredible. Met some beautiful people an experience I won’t forget. The children were so special and the Mamas lovely.

Absolute highlight being able to share this experience with my friends. We were also shown an awesome waterfall by one of the residents which I will always remember! Running water and food made by ‘mum’ every day. Really grateful for being looked after so well.

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 all came about when I didn’t get into an overseas program with University and knew I had to have some sort of learning experience whilst overseas. And what a great experience where I have learnt so much! Each day we would assist in the kindergarten from 8 till 12, then we’d spend time with the ladies in the office assisting with any office tasks. In the afternoon, once the school children returned, we played out in the field. Right up until sunset we would play hand clapping games, soccer, rugby, and pani (Fijian yard game). The kids were absolutely gorgeous and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The highlight would be some of the local guys taking us to a waterfall! We had to hike through a sugar cane plantation to the base of the sleeping giant where we then got to jump in and swim at the local watering hole. Litea (or mum as she insisted we call her, by the end of the trip she certainly was out Na). She managed to cook for us all whilst managing the office and taking care of her two adopted children. The food certainly offered us an insight into the Fijian cuisine. We all became obsessed with Tapoka by the end of the trip. We were also very greatful for Mere taking us to the local market so we could enjoy some fresh produce too.

WOW! What an amazing experience. I travelled with one of my friends, and we volunteered together at Shepards Learning Centre for two weeks. My favourite moments were when we taught the kids new songs, rhymes, dances and yoga. The Fijian culture is beautiful and I will treasure it forever. The staff were amazing! Everyone is really lovely and helpful.

Highlights from my volunteering was visiting Tonia village, witnessing a sevusevu ceremony, performing health checks on the locals and being fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to go to a home visit. The care and warmth of the Fijian people is something I’ll never forget! I’m so grateful to Masi, Mere and Carrun for looking after the team. Masi, Mere and Carrun were amazing! The food at Uncle Kalepi’s house was delish and Mere made sure to feed us well ? The accommodation was great.

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.

The volunteering was amazing!! I really enjoyed my time in Fiji working with all the staff members at Animals Fiji, they were all amazing and made us feel so welcome. During the volunteering I spent time in the shelter working with the puppies, dogs and kittens, the tasks included health checks, cleaning, walking the animals, feeding, and giving medication. Within the clinic I spent time in the hospital, working with the vet assistants and vets. I learnt so much during the trip which included checking vitals, administering medications and how to conduct an initial consultation. One of the highlights for me was definitely attending the desexing clinic in Laukato, and working with the staff. The team at the shelter were extremely welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly. They made the transition there very easy and helped whenever they could. The food and accommodations were lovely, with the family and other volunteers there were very welcoming. Having other volunteers with us, made the transition easier as we were able to discuss our experiences as well as meet a variety of different people from different backgrounds.

Greece was an incredible experience for me and it really opened up my eyes to everything that is happening in Chios and the overall Refugee Crisis. Toula is incredible and her team are amazing! I have actually found returning very difficult and I would love to go back to be honest haha. It was incredible! The highlights of the trip for me is actually how much I learnt from the Refugees, I don’t think you actually know what these people have been through until they tell you and you see it. I think a lot of things we are hearing in the media is always misleading, so actually seeing the refugee crisis and being a part of the boat arrivals was incredibly sad but also very moving. Because you know that by doing this work you are actually helping and making a difference. The volunteers truly made my experience as well, I love Anushka and I was blessed to have her as my room mate. She is amazing and we would have de-briefs in the evenings which was super helpful after having such intense and full on days. Since being back it has motivated me to keep fighting for these people as well and their human rights. Which for me is a huge highlight because it grounds you to know that these people are beautiful and warm people who are just looking for a better life, so it is a highlight that I feel motivated to keep helping them. I found the food in Greece incredible. I loved the famous cheese “Mastello” and the local places near Sun Rooms were amazing as well. The food is so fresh and delicious and cheap as well, mastello pita wraps became a big favourite to be honest. I also loved the Greek Yoghurt, so sweet and creamy. Amazing! Toula and Sun Rooms was awesome and right next to the beach which was so nice for early morning swims! I love running in NZ but I soon change to swimming when I realized how hot it is. I found the process through IVI awesome and super helpful and thank you for your endless support as well Lauren!

The experiences we had were amazing. It felt like a very worthwhile project where we were making a difference. We learnt that Fijians usually only seek medical assistance when something is going wrong. So the preventative checks that we were doing on blood pressure and blood sugar are usually neglected. The education side was also basic for us as Australians but was enlightening for the Fijians. We came across Fijians that had made a significant change in their lifestyle since the last team visited and can only assume that some significant changes would be made after our team’s visit. We could see how lives could be saved as a result of this program. We were fortunate to have a diverse set of experiences including visiting villages, visiting a primary school, visiting a high school and assessing the health of staff in a resort. I lead a couple of dances at the primary school which was a real highlight. Over our 2 weeks we circumnavigated the main island of Fiji, stayed in a village, visited a waterfall, were given a tour of a deep cave, participated in Kava ceremonies, watched fire walking and stayed in a resort. The Fijian people were incredibly friendly, had a good sense of humour and were extremely thankful for our visit. The local team of Masi, Mary and Lessie were amazing. They provided a necessary link between the volunteers and the Fijians as far as interpreters and our adherence to local customs. All were incredibly friendly and personable. They opened their home to us and drove us around in their cars. The food was excellent and catered to the different dietary requirements that existed in the team. The accommodation was all very good. Obviously in the village, the accommodation was a little more primitive (all of the team sleeping in one room and cold showers) but that was real and to be expected. Carrun’s concern for the Fijian people was obvious and she was particularly good at the relationships between the team and the various village or corporate leaders. She also cared for the team and kept us informed of upcoming requirements.

I spent two weeks travelling around Fiji where I stayed in Lautoka, Suva, a village, and a resort – so lots of different accomodation styles. I was very lucky to have had such an amazing team to work with – they went from being a team of strangers, to becoming like a second family to me. We received training on how to perform blood pressure and blood sugar checks, and how to take height, weight, and waist measurements correctly. The first week of the project was spent living in a village. It was a huge culture shock at first, just a completely different way of living to what we have back home. But it was one of the highlights of my trip because never have I felt so welcomed, accepted, and taken care of by such lovely and friendly people. Our host family were wonderful, making us feel so at home and giving us the opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the culture. I learnt so much from them – Fijian phrases, what they typically eat, how to tie a sulu correctly, their history, what a typical day in a village is like, the etiquette, etc. By the end of the stay I really did feel like a local. This was a truly eye opening and rewarding experience, being able to put a smile on each individual’s face when we performed the health checks and knowing how much it meant to them was such an amazing experience to be apart of. The second week of the project was spent at Nanuku resort. This was a completelty different contrast to what we had experienced the previous week. But again, just like the first week, we were warmly welcomed and just our presence was so highly regarded by the Fijian people. A highlight for me in this week was hearing how some of the ladies had consciously made the effort to increase their exercise and watch their sugar consumption, leading to lower weight and waist measurements which came primarily down to the fact that they had listened to our education talks the last time we had visited them. So hearing this only reinforced why this project is so worth becoming involved in, knowing that you truly are making small differences in peoples lives.