As far as the actual staff goes, all of them are honestly great - friendly, dedicated, and focused on what they're trying to do. You can absolutely tell that they truly care about what it is they're trying to do. Our staff leader would go out of his way to take up his free time with things that were still related to the program - he honestly truly cared about all of the volunteers and the volunteering itself.
This review is in no way a review of either Suva or Fiji in general - the country itself is incredible and opened my eyes to many things. Anything negative that I have to say is NOT in any way directed towards the country. This review is not describing my entire journey, simply the ivhq-related aspects of it - which did take up a majority of my time.
The hard truth is that a very, very small minority appeared to actually care about the placements or the people they were supposed to be aiding in the programs. Unfortunately, the blame does fall slightly on GreenLion itself - the actual charitable organization we were working for. Many in the teaching program had problems with organization - at times they were simply placed in a classroom by the teacher without any explanation or advice. As it seems people here were very easily accepted - no degree or prior teaching experience whatsoever is required if you want to enlist in the teaching program - this didn't end up doing much for the students or the volunteers. On top of this, there were a huge amount of volunteers who didn't seem to care much about the projects either way, instead always focusing on out-of-work activities, bars, clubbing etc.
At least as far as the Greenlion Fiji program, all of the volunteer stereotypes seem to be somewhat true. There were those that would occupy us to our construction site and watch us work while taking photos with the impoverished schoolchildren that would soon decorate the walls and profile photos of their facebook pages. Even in the three months of construction that I did, those that initially seemed to want to have no part in activities like that and falling into the blurred line of volunteerism>voluntourism>tourism ended up being converted into something like tourists by the end of the whole thing - in part much of the blame was certainly on the organizers of greenlion themselves (costs are somewhat pricey and a lot of money seems to be going into the organization yet we work with two shovels and have to wait days or even weeks to receive simple materials like wooden posts), but the apathy of the larger volunteer populace didn't exactly do much to help.
Coming out on this journey it seems like the goals and the thoughts that I set out with don't match up with many of the people - most seem unconcerned about immersing themselves in the culture or the natural beauty of the country, instead doing activities that they could do in practically any other country pretty much every day - e.g clubbing. I now realize that my viewpoint may have been slightly unrealistic, but I don't think - well, didn't - think that assuming fellow volunteers would be as motivated as I would would end up being a wrong assumption. I stand corrected.

Fiji was my first volunteer trip and I can't even begin to describe how nervous I was about it. I didn't have any prior teaching experience so I was worried about not being good enough to do my program, and I had no idea who any of the other volunteers were so I was nervous about making friends and fitting in.

Now, 6 weeks later, I think going to Fiji was one of the best decisions of my life. The coordinators at Green Lion are the sweetest, most helpful and most positive people I have ever met. They made me feel welcome from day one and made my stay so enjoyable. The other volunteers were also really nice, I made some really good friends and I had such a good time with them.

After having heard about the other organizations that send people to green lion Fiji I think IVHQ is definitely the most affordable one out there. I am so glad I went through them and I will without a doubt do it again some time.

Volunteering was one of the best experience of my whole life. From the very start to the end of the adventure, I went through so many emotions that made me grow up and feel a bit more human. Working with children might be the best thing in life. They give you intense love without any boundary, in the honestest way.
On my way to Fiji, I was wondering "will they accept me?", "Would they like to play with me?", "Will they listen to me", "Will I be able to teach them?".
Along the first day, I was the shyest and didn't dare to approach them, thinking they would push me away. But actually, they came to me at the first glance, yelling with such smiles on their tiny faces "Teacher ! Teacher! Teacher !". They didn't event know my name yet, that they were already considering me as their teacher !
That was the beginning of a - too short- love story between them and I.
Then I spent 2 weeks teaching them English, playing with them. I remember the first week's theme was about Planes. So I took a sheet of paper and started to make an origami plane for each one of them. I couldn't even imagine how simple sheets of paper could make them so happy !
I think the aim of a volunteer trip is to understand what is going wrong in the world and to do our best to help people. It's not about skills, or job, or personality. It is just about spreading love. It is all about empathy. It is not feeling complete with helping people, but feeling complete with people.
To me, this is the best thing is life. Sharing the same smile.

The kids here in Fiji love to play games. They love to when the volunteers join in and play with them. The program was a great way to get use to the people and the way they live. I love every min of the program and people.

After much research, IVHQ was the most affordable program I found. The on-site staff were very friendly and helpful and cared deeply for you. The one week orientation really helps you understand the culture and language. Overall, I feel that IVHQ is good for those who are on a budget.

Words can't describe my experience and all the amazing people I met along the way! This is my third time volunteering abroad, Fiji is definitely somewhere you should consider going to! There are so many friendly and welcoming people here on this island.. I feel like I'm at home! Although it's nothing like home.. here you will be living a whole different lifestyle, but that's one of the many stories you will be able to tell while you embark on this incredible journey! Personally, I will always remember the children I got to teach at the kindergarten school. They made a huge impact on me! Each one of them have the cutest personalities and touched my heart. Even though I came there to teach them what I know, they taught me as well. I also enjoy learning different cultures, here you will! The first week is orientation week- you get a tour of the Capitol city, you get to take a cooking, weaving and language class. You learn a lot and that's exactly what I love doing! So if you're up for learning and experiencing the world, making a difference for others and having fun.... Volunteer abroad!! I promise you it will be the best decision you will make and it will be worth every penny that you save!:)

I think you actually get more out of volunteering than you realise you might be there to help them but they actually change you more it's a big world out there and we are closeted in our own small environment that we forget about others.

Initially when I decided to travel to Fiji for a volunteer trip, I expected to be beach front with endless sun. This changed immediately as we landed into Suva, as we were in a large city of locals, no beaches, and constant rain. It was definitely a reality check. What also shocked me was that this city was not familiar with tourists, so people in the city would stare. Nonetheless, the locals were some of the nicest people I have ever met. They were very generous and always willing to share. Even the students that we met at the schools and kindergartens were happy, even though their school materials were breaking and they were so limited with toys that they played with beer bottle lids. They taught me there that happiness was more important than money, and that was truly reflected in their culture. As for the IVHQ program itself, the local organization is called Green Lion Fiji. The coordinators are amazing and super friendly, and the cooks are amazing. However, the organization as a whole is not as organized, as everything runs on "fiji time". Overall, my fellow volunteers really enhanced my trip, as I got to make friends all across the globe, and we got to experience the amazing and new culture together.