IVHQ provided a lot of guidance when getting prepared to volunteer. There was endless information on a range of topics, I felt as though they had put a lot of effort into making sure the volunteers felt prepared to go into it.
The local team was incredible. 2 members waited for me and my 2 friends at the airport and helped us get to our accommodation. The process from the airport to the accommodation was smooth and stress-free. The team members were so lovely and were always there to give support or have a chat. They would be happy to answer any questions we had and would go above and beyond to suit our needs. For example, helping us get taxis, transfers, and buses and advising on where to explore within their country. I couldn’t praise the team members any more.
Volunteering in Fiji for two weeks was an incredibly rewarding experience that gave me valuable personal and cultural insights. I gained a deeper understanding of Fijian culture, learning about local traditions and building meaningful connections with the community. Collaborating with diverse groups helped me enhance my teamwork and communication skills, while facing challenges in an unfamiliar environment fostered my personal growth, and resilience, and broadened my perspective. Contributing to meaningful projects gave me a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment, and I also developed practical skills related to my role. For anyone considering volunteering, I’d advise researching the organization thoroughly to understand how your skills can contribute, staying open-minded and adaptable to cultural differences, and packing thoughtfully with essentials that benefit both you and the community. It’s also important to be flexible and patient, as plans may change, and to engage genuinely with the locals to make the experience even more rewarding.
