Volunteering in Fiji

jinglish1009:07 UTC30 Oct 2012

Hi, could anyone helpwithwhere i can volunteer in fiji for a couple of weeks? Community, health work or wildlife?

Programs that dont cost please

Cheers

kenko00:54 UTC31 Oct 2012

Peter & Margaret will have some recommendations...

peter_n_margaret01:33 UTC31 Oct 2012

We would be reluctant to refer people whom we know absolutely nothing about to our personal contacts.

Cheers,
Peter

jinglish1009:51 UTC01 Nov 2012

Well Peter, volunteer projects must not be that desperate for help then ey?! I was offering helping hands, someone who works hard, with a caring personality...

Like they say... Beggars can't be choosers........

becks06:38 UTC03 Nov 2012

I'm not sure that anyone was begging??

In many cases, "helping hands" that don't have particular skill or knowledge to offer can be more hassle than they are worth, especially if they are only going to stick around for a couple of weeks (no time to be trained up) and are reluctant to cover their expenses. So I can understand Peter's reluctance to refer you. Also, please bear in mind that well-meaning foreigners offering help and hard work for free might end up taking paid work away from a local.

If you have 2 weeks to spend in Fiji, the best way to help out and experience Fijian life would be to pay to stay at a locally run guesthouse / village stay, where you'll be providing income for a community.

peter_n_margaret09:10 UTC03 Nov 2012

Thanks Becks. Your assessment is pretty spot on.
Just to elaborate a bit. I did suggest on another thread that I could provide an introduction to a Day Care Centre. Jinglish10 did not respond. I wonder if she would be prepared to provide Police Checks first?

Technically, a volunteer in Fiji requires a work permit in order to ensure that they are not putting locals out of work.

Cheers,
Peter

zipssin15:17 UTC03 Nov 2012

Hi.
According to the book "700 places to volunteer before you die," there are some organizations to offer projects in Fiji. But I am not sure if they are free. If interested, please check below :)
academic treks: www.academictreks.com
Earthwatch Institute: www.earthwatch.org
Fiji Diving & Volunteering: www.diving-fiji.com
Madventurer: www.madventurer.compage
Projects Abroad: www.projects-abroad.org
Voluteer Eco Students Abroad: www.vesabroad.com
World Horizons International: www.world-horizons.com

And if you can't find any, I suggest that you find NGOs in Fiji and ask them if volunteering is available.Good luck.

Volunteering in Fiji Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
jinglish1009:07 UTC30 Oct 2012	Hi, could anyone helpwithwhere i can volunteer in fiji for a couple of weeks? Community, health work or wildlife? Programs that dont cost please Cheers
kenko00:54 UTC31 Oct 2012	Peter & Margaret will have some recommendations...	1
peter_n_margaret01:33 UTC31 Oct 2012	We would be reluctant to refer people whom we know absolutely nothing about to our personal contacts. Cheers, Peter	2
jinglish1009:51 UTC01 Nov 2012	Well Peter, volunteer projects must not be that desperate for help then ey?! I was offering helping hands, someone who works hard, with a caring personality... Like they say... Beggars can't be choosers........	3
becks06:38 UTC03 Nov 2012	I'm not sure that anyone was begging?? In many cases, "helping hands" that don't have particular skill or knowledge to offer can be more hassle than they are worth, especially if they are only going to stick around for a couple of weeks (no time to be trained up) and are reluctant to cover their expenses. So I can understand Peter's reluctance to refer you. Also, please bear in mind that well-meaning foreigners offering help and hard work for free might end up taking paid work away from a local. If you have 2 weeks to spend in Fiji, the best way to help out and experience Fijian life would be to pay to stay at a locally run guesthouse / village stay, where you'll be providing income for a community.	4
peter_n_margaret09:10 UTC03 Nov 2012	Thanks Becks. Your assessment is pretty spot on. Just to elaborate a bit. I did suggest on another thread that I could provide an introduction to a Day Care Centre. Jinglish10 did not respond. I wonder if she would be prepared to provide Police Checks first? Technically, a volunteer in Fiji requires a work permit in order to ensure that they are not putting locals out of work. Cheers, Peter	5
zipssin15:17 UTC03 Nov 2012	Hi. According to the book "700 places to volunteer before you die," there are some organizations to offer projects in Fiji. But I am not sure if they are free. If interested, please check below :) academic treks: www.academictreks.com Earthwatch Institute: www.earthwatch.org Fiji Diving & Volunteering: www.diving-fiji.com Madventurer: www.madventurer.compage Projects Abroad: www.projects-abroad.org Voluteer Eco Students Abroad: www.vesabroad.com World Horizons International: www.world-horizons.com And if you can't find any, I suggest that you find NGOs in Fiji and ask them if volunteering is available.Good luck.	6