Volunteering Projects on the Fiji Islands with Think Pacific

I joined a one month expedition to Fiji straight after leaving school. The experience was challenging, exciting and rewarding. I am so so glad I went. A huge adventure that will allow you to really get beneath the culture of Fiji in a sustainable and responsible way. The pre departure team was amazing and provided helpful and in depth detail that really lets you prepare fully for the experience. Once you get out there your whole project will be guided by the team leaders who have previously volunteered and so know all the highs and lows of village life. The only frustrating thing is that you do only see a small part of Fiji - your village - so I would recommend leaving some time before your flight back to explore some of Fiji’s beautiful coast.

This was genuinely one of the best experiences I’ll ever have! It’s so different from anything you’ll ever experience in the UK, seeing the impact you make on even one child makes it all worth it. It is hard and not for everyone but if you power through the rough times the outcome is always worth it. You 100% get out what you put in. We were in the highlands and it was different to the videos but still amazing. Just being a part of a community where everyone is so welcoming and warm makes you feel so at home from day one. If you like your privacy you might struggle more than some because it’s rare to get a minute alone. The kids are amazing and seeing the change in a child’s behaviour towards you from beginning to end is so lovely, especially with the shy kids who might not even speak to you on your first day but by the finally week they’re running into your arms is amazing in itself. Overall this experience is tough but it is so rewarding and worth every penny.

I would like to thank Think Pacific for the best experience of my life. Living in Namuka village for one month, staying with a wonderful family that I can now call my own and working at the local school alongside an amazing team have given me memories that I will never forget. This experience has been a true privilege. From being welcomed to the village on the first day and experiencing Fijian culture in depth to working with kids at the local school in maths, English, sports and other extracurricular activities. From having dinner with my family and going from house to house to drink tea to jumping in the river with friends from the village and watching the night sky in awe. Even more, it has been in Fiji where I have discovered that my passion is working with children. I can only encourage everyone to take part in this rewarding life-changing experience. I can't wait for my next time in Fiji!

I did a two month project in January and truly had the most incredible time, the people I spent my time there with made it such a memorable experience. What I loved is not only how impactful it has been on my life but also the difference you make in the villages! I really feel as though I have a whole family and village on the other side of the world who made me feel so immensely welcome and loved which was made better with the knowledge that what I was doing was helping them and that ThinkPacific were involved in maintaining these changes through their work with the government. I was in a house with three other girls and the four of us became incredibly close to our Fijian brother and sister and to our grandma. The cultural difference took some getting used to but everything was so simple and joyful! Can’t recommend this experience enough and can’t wait to go back to the village to see my Fijian family again!

This voluntary opportunity offers so much variety and enjoyment for many people from different backgrounds of interest, such as drama, sports and music. Whilst being located in remote and difficult conditions at no point do you feel unsafe or alone, in-fact you feel a sense of belonging and unity with your new Think Pacific family and your new Fijian family. These new connections with my Fijian family are still strong due to Facebook and I speak to them at least every other day. Also, the friends I've made with Think Pacific volunteers have become friends for life. Therefore, what I have personally gained from this organisation is more than experiences of a life time and memories to treasure. This is an incredible organisation, which has star dust all over it! If you want a challenge and to do some different, do this!!

Think Pacific was the most amazing experience from start to finish. It was brilliantly organised and so much fun. The impact being made to rural schools in Fiji is so impressive and it was an honour to be a part of it. The month I spent in Namuka was so fulfilling and taught me so much about everything from Fijian traditions to Christianity. Living in the village with a Fijian family opened my eyes to a different way of life and a different perspective of thinking and I made friendships that will last a life time. The support given while on project was also brilliant and helped me develop so many skills from teaching 1 to 1s doing sessions on arts and crafts, drama, singing, dancing and sports sessions. I can’t recommend think Pacific enough!

The thought of going to Fiji and spend one month never crossed my mind. Besides, being the only international student on project made sounds more daunting. However, TP designs the program in such a way that I could seamlessly adapt and no days of that one month had gone to waste has been full of adventures. From amazing leaders that constantly check on me from one to one session, brilliant fellow volunteers who always come up with interesting idea for teaching materials and to our Fijian family who definitely helped me learn their culture and language pretty extensively. In fact, I’m still able to count till 100 (dua nan drau- hopefully this is right). I’m so surprised how I’m still in contact closely with everyone on project even after a year our project ended. The experiences that I earned were extremely gold and I still cherish till now.

Working in a different environment and culture was challenging but it gave me the oppourtunity to develop new personal and proffessional skills. The class that myself and Bruna worked with were the kindi kids and not only did I improve on my patience but I develped a new skill which was cross-cultural communation. As the weeeks went by my confidence grew in lesson planning and Bruna and I worked well toeghter which made it easier with coming up with new activities to do with the kids.
As I spent more time with the people of Dormuna Village it amazed how even though they weren't rich in possessions they were rich in life. They lived of the land and made do with the little that they had which was humbling. I also got to understand more about their culture, which I found very intresting because I found similarities with my culture. Overall I would definitely recommend this volunteering trip to anyone as it's an experience that will really change your view on what really matters in life and to be thankful of what we have.