Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Fiji - Sigatoka

Met wonderful people, got to see a unique culture and was able to help the local community.

I felt a deep satisfaction about meeting new people who I have managed to stay friends with, contributing to the local community, and learning a lot about myself in terms of how I immerse in another culture and how I try to relate with them socially. Volunteering with IVHQ is a great opportunity not just for yourself but to everyone you meet throughout the experience as long as you go with an open mind and open heart, even if you can be doubtful of your own goals sometimes.

I had the unique honor of being welcomed by the people of Fiji as part of the International Volunteer HQ on their Construction and Renovation project. Located in Sigatoka, the project involved various construction-related activities alongside the local community to build and maintain a local school central to the district whose student body has nearly doubled in the past 2 years. The project and its volunteers were involved in physically demanding tasks to construct walkways, shelters, flooring, drains, and roof rehabilitation.

Participating in the program gave me first-hand insight into local construction practices and unique challenges in a largely rural community without the luxuries of mechanical equipment and regulations to which I am accustomed back home in Sydney on tier-one mega projects. Despite the absence of this, the resilience, enthusiasm, and camaraderie of the team were palpable as we worked to deliver new classrooms for the rapidly growing school. I am grateful to have been welcomed by my team and a special thanks to our supervisor, Tunai who supplied the tools (and food) to keep us working to meet the project's goals. Talking with the children during lunchtime about their lessons and life ambitions was a great motivator throughout the project. The occasional compliment on my workmanship from passing students as we worked contributed to the upkeep of good morale through blisters and sunburn!

In addition to construction, I had the opportunity to participate in the village's children's evening sports sessions alongside other international volunteers participating in an ongoing teaching program that coincided with the project. Interacting with the children and other volunteers from all over the world proved sport to be a universal language. Making friends with the children and other volunteers made the experience all the more worthwhile and memorable.

Thank you to our program manager and other supervisors for tending to all the volunteer's queries throughout the program, keeping us fed with delicious pioneer fuel, and making us feel safe in each of our solo adventures.

It was my first time leaving my home country and I did this trip on my own and wasn't sure what to expect. The trip was more than I could imagine, the friends I made and the volunteering it was incredible. I wished I booked longer than 2 weeks but this trip has shown me that I would do it again. I will definitely be volunteering again in the future.

My favorite moments are hard to pick just one but in general, I loved all the smiles I would see from the locals and every time someone would say Bula! I loved being outside of my comfort zone. I was able to help others and while I was doing that, I was also building my own character. The unknown is always a little scary but if you’re really thinking about it and you’re serious about the volunteering aspect, it’ll be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. The more involved you are, the more life changing it is! Don’t wait!

There were many great moments on the program such as Waterfalls, Sand dunes, dance class was pretty cool language and cooking. The children where incredible and cute! The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was it got me out of my comfort zone. My advice is to just do it. You learn so much and it’s the best way to travel as well. The people you meet and you get to part of the culture more and experience so much more.