Amazing once in a lifetime experience!

When people think of Fiji, they think of amazing sunsets and crystal blue waters. Volunteering on this project gives you that and so much more. Base becomes your home, living with other volunteers from all around the world wanting, like you, to make a difference. The local families living on base with you become your long last fijian relatives, offering to clean your clothes or sell you sweets when you are homesick for an Oreo. Though the island is pretty remote, weekends usually consist of either hanging on base sunbathing and maybe going to the resort on the other side of the island for dinner or organizing a trip to one of the local resorts with other volunteers to get some delicious food and drink and do some water sports. The local school needs a lot of help, not only in physical distress but also is in deep need of structure in its instruction and that is where they rely heavily on GVI volunteers. It became my job to think of and implement activities in kindergarten that taught and practiced the skills these children will need in grade 1. Don't expect a ton of support from the teachers; instead, look to other volunteers to help you. The children are wonderful and I fell in love with each of them and though it is difficult to monitor progress at such a young age, I do feel like a made a difference to the project and GVI made me feel that my time in Fiji at school was critical and very much appreciated. I had the time of my life in Fiji and miss it already. It truly was the experience of a lifetime and is one that I will never forget.