The best time of my life

GVI Fiji is a fantastic organisation. The staff are really friendly and helpful, and you feel like they're one of you, as they get involved in all the activities and goings-on of the volunteers. The unique thing about this programme is that you are literally immersed in the culture of Silana, a rural, coastal Fijian village, as GVI's base is actually within the village. The villagers are all really welcoming and fully support what GVI are trying to achieve, and walking around the village it is very rare not to be invited into someone's house for Fijian tea, which always involves lots of sugar and cakes!
Whether it is the education or the construction programme (I had experience of both as my time over there coincided with the school holidays), the programmes are effective. It is such a rewarding programme and you really feel like you are making a difference to people's lives, and they show their gratitude for that in a big way. I would fully recommend this programme to anyone, go on, get yourself immersed in Fijian culture!