Volunteer Tourism in Fiji

Hi all,
I am thinking of travelling to Fiji and would like to take part in some volunteer tourism projects that help local communities. Has anybody had any experience of such projects?

I don't know what "volunteer tourism" is, but can you give us more of an idea what you have in mind, when and where and for how long?
Do you have any skills to offer, or a lot of money :-)

yes do you have anymore information on what specifically you would like to do .)

Hi,
Volunteer Tourism means to travel to a destination but once you arrive, you start on a project or undertake some sort of volunteer work while there to help aid the community in some way.
I was wanting to travel with a company called projects abroad to Fiji. I would stay a month which would cost $ 2,795.
I am not sure when this would happen as I was wanting to find out more about it from people that have actually been and done similar things. :)
I am keen and willing to travel and help a community only if it will provide something positive for them.
I am saving up for it and if it all works out then I hope to travel soon.
Thanks in advance for your help!!

Do you have any skills to offer?

Cheers,
Peter

Hi!
I was thinking of Travelling to Fiji with a company called Projects Abroad to undertake a Community Village Project. I am unsure if it will be beneficial to the community. Have you had any first hand experience with Volunteering abroad?

Hi!
Some of my best attributes include my love of children and typing 40 words a minute on the computer.
Perhaps I could use some of these skills in Fiji whilst I am a volunteer tourist?
I am not sure.
Do you know anyone that has been a volunteer tourist?
Cheers,
Katerina

I don't wish to be uncharitable, but unless you offer skills that are not already readily available, the best part of your plan for Fiji is that you will leave $2,795 behind in the country when you leave.

That is a valuable contribution to the country and they will thank you for it.

Technically, volunteers require work permits. That is to avoid volunteers putting local people out of work. There is already very high unemployment.

BUT....
My wife and I have recently returned from 2 years volunteering in Lautoka and I could probably put you in contact with someone who could find you a volunteer job.
No money would need to change hands, but you would need to make all your own arrangements for transport, food, accomodation etc. etc. None of that would be difficult.
PM me if you are dinkum.

Cheers,
Peter

Sorry I do not agree with Peter... I'm currently doing volunteer work at a local orphanage in Suva (been volunteering at this orphanage for 10 months now) and I do not have any skills (other than being a qualified textile designer with working history of admin/project management... All unrelated to working with kids)... I have found most charity organisations are not fussed with what skills you have as most just need the help (this applies to various orphanages & animal shelters I have spoken to during my time here)... As for volunteering visa, I have spoken to Fiji immigration on 3 occasions when I arrived to see if I needed a visa to volunteer (I only have a 3 year residential visa) and I was given 3 different answers - Yes, all work needs a work visa & volunteering is still work.... No, as long as its not paid work and you don't exceed the stay of you current visa (tourist or residential visa).... No, residential visa suffices... Even the orphanage was unclear regarding visa requirements... Katem26 you could stay in Fiji for a month for less than $2795 so it may even be worthwhile finding volunteer work independently and paying your own way (like Peter has suggested)... I should mention that I had to provide a police check & copy of my passport to the orphanage (as they had requested it).... Also, in my case the orphanage advised me that they really needed help but financially could not afford to employ anymore staff so I don't feel that all volunteer workers are putting locals out of work.... Good luck with your pursuit katem26!! It's definitely worth it!!