Fiji

Fiji is made up of some 330 islands in the tropical South Pacific with a mixture of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian and European influences.  The local people are warm, friendly and extremely generous, despite often having little in the form of material possessions and wealth.  Fiji is a developing country with an enchanting mix of cultural traditions, strong religious faiths and stunning scenery.  Lattitude Volunteers work with a number of community organisations and local schools, where they use skills gained from their own educational background to improve people’s lives.

Placement locations

Placements are located on the main island Viti Levu and the surrounding islands Ovalau, Motoriki and Vanua Levu, click here to view a map.

Is it for me?

Few placements offer such a culturally rich experience. Volunteers become immersed in the traditional Fijian way of life while contributing to the local community.  It will suit people who are proactive, outgoing and willing to think outside the square, as resources can be in short supply.  The work can be challenging, the accommodation is basic and the food is quite alternative!   However the whole experience is ensured to be truly exhilarating and enormously rewarding.

Placements explained

Community placements in Fiji involve volunteers working in a variety of areas such as rural district schools, kindergartens, centres for children with various disabilities and also assisting a local community to build a school for their children.

Accommodation & food

Accommodation varies from living in a hostel on site, to staying in a home stay with a local Fijian family.  Food is supplied in conjunction with accommodation.  Dalo (or taro) and cassava are root vegetables and with rice and fruit are the staple diet in rural areas.  Food is taken on a beautiful home-made reed mat. No need for utensils; the more noises you make the more you show your enjoyment!

Need to know

• Pre departure briefing - all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
• On arrival - all volunteers have a three-day orientation in Fiji

Support provided

Before you go:

• We interview each volunteer in order to find out their strengths, skills and interests, as well as identifying what they are hoping to achieve while away. This helps us select the right people to be Lattitude volunteers and after a second interview with the In Country Programme Manager (often via Skype or e-mail), we match them to a placement that is right for them.
• Once you have been accepted by the in Country Programme Manager you will be looked after by a specialised Volunteer Coordinator based in the Palmerston North office, who is responsible for all volunteers going to a particular country. They provide briefing materials, support with logistics such as flights and visas and are there to answer any questions.
• Everyone attends a pre-departure briefing to meet other volunteers and Lattitude staff, and other professionals such as our travel agent, travel doctors and insurance company representatives as well as hearing from returned volunteers.
• All volunteers sign our Term and Conditions to ensure that Lattitude's expectations of each volunteer are agreed and clear from the outset.

 

When you're overseas:

• We have paid staff based in each country.  Our Country Managers oversee the program and work with a team of Local Representatives who provide support in the local areas and develop close relationships with placement hosts.
• Each volunteer attends orientation on arrival and where needed, other courses such as a local language or teaching skills course.
• Each volunteer is visited at their placement soon after arrival by an in-country staff member to check how things are and provide additional support if needed.
• We work with Embassies and High Commissions to ensure we can respond to any situation and provide 24/7 emergency support from the Lattitude office in Palmerston North.

 

When you're back:

• We recognise that coming home can be difficult and provide one-to-one support, with onward referrals for further professional support if needed.  Volunteers are invited to debriefing events and become part of our network of alumni.

 

Costs

These costs are for Lattitude placements in Fiji in 2013Lattitude fees (exact costs):

Lattitude Application Fee	$150
Lattitude Contribution Fee	$3100
Lattitude In-country Orientation	$300

You will also need to budget for the following (approx costs):

Travel Insurance (6 months)	$329
Return Airfares (approx cost of group flight)	$850-1100
Total cost (approximate)	$4729-5600

Travel

The main opportunity for travel will be at the end of your placement.  Tempting as it might be to spend days lying under a palm tree on the white-sand beaches of the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands, the water itself presents its own amazing wonder with snorkellers and divers being able to enjoy some of the finest underwater scenery in the Pacific.  There’s also the Namosi Highlands where you can enjoy trekking, rafting and kayaking, surrounded by stunning mountains.  Be sure to spend some time in Suva as well, which is a rich melting pot of ethnicities and cultures.