Volunteers who enjoy working with children, and want to help a community through education at a grass-roots level. TEFL certification is recommended for those with no relevant education or experience.

Project details

Eager to be a Teaching volunteer in Fiji? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching project empowers volunteers to gain teaching experience by assisting in schools or at after school programs in Sigatoka. Classrooms in Fiji can often be overcrowded and volunteers can be extremely helpful to local teachers by taking on some of the work involved in educating such large groups of students with diverse abilities.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Class sizes in Fijian schools are large, with up to 50 children per teacher, so holding inclusive lessons where each student gets equal benefit can be challenging. Volunteer teachers enable classes to be more appropriate and effective for students of different abilities.

As a volunteer teacher you’ll be placed in either a local school or on an after-school teaching tutorial.

Volunteers in schools will follow the local curriculum, helping with students aged between 4-16. You can either assist a local teacher or lead a class independently, but in both instances you’re encouraged to be creative in planning and executing your lessons in a lively and interesting manner.

The after-school tutorials have a lot more freedom, as they’re considered supplementary lessons that don’t need to follow a set curriculum. They’re designed to be fun and interactive, and should reinforce lessons being learnt at school. Because you’ll have time free in the morning, you’ll have the option to also assist on the Childcare project.

Teaching volunteer work can vary but generally involves:

Assisting teachers
Teaching lessons
Tutoring students
Lesson planning
Interacting with students
Setting up educational activities
Preparing exams and worksheets
Marking student exams

In addition to teaching in a school setting in the morning volunteers also have the opportunity to spend their afternoons tutoring children in a local village.

The Village Kids Tutoring program offers volunteers the opportunity to teach English to children in local villages. Running from Monday to Friday in the afternoons, the program focuses on enhancing the children’s language skills while allowing volunteers to bring their creativity and unique ideas to the session. Volunteers have the flexibility to design their own lesson plans and tailor their teaching methods to the needs of the students.

Depending on the number of volunteers, the program may be conducted in more than one village. Classes are held either in a community hall or in one of the village houses, providing an authentic and immersive experience. Volunteers lesson plan from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM and then tutor from 3:30PM to 5:30 PM.

Activities include educational games such as the animal sound game. Volunteers play recordings of different animal sounds and ask the students to identify the animals. Simon Says game using english commands, cultural exchange (sharing stories and songs). outdoor learning and group projects.

During school exams and holidays, all volunteers will be placed on after school programs or a Kids Club. Additionally, occasional events like graduation, festivals and other school activities may mean students have time off, so volunteers aren’t required. This is a normal part of the education system in Fiji and you’ll need to be flexible in accepting free time yourself.

School holiday dates:

9 December 2024 to 24 January 2025
5 May to 17 May 17 2025
25 August to 5 September 2025
8 December 2025 to 23 January 2026

The remaining 2026 school term dates have not yet been confirmed but holidays typically fall around the months of May, August, September, December, and January.

Why do Teaching volunteering in Sigatoka with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Teaching project in Fiji you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Improving access to education for students in Sigatoka
Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
Learning and practicing Fijian
Developing your communication skills
Gaining teaching experience
Immersing yourself fully in the Fijian way of life
Exploring Fiji’s blissful beaches

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
Volunteers aged 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
To respect the local culture and customs in Fiji, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
All volunteers must speak fluent English.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Not sure which program to join?

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Fiji photo gallery

IVHQ Teaching project in Fiji

Volunteers doing orientation at the house

Kava Ceremony as part of orientation

Passing around the Kava

Volunteer drinking Kava

Exploring Sigatoka during orienation

Exploring Sigatoka during orientation

IVHQ Volunteer's out on an evening walk

Volunteers checking out Maui Bay - Intro Week

Biausevu waterfall bush walk - Intro Week

Volunteers at Biausevu waterfall - Intro Week

View from on top of Sand Dunes

IVHQ intro week - Sigatoka National Park Dunes

Checking out views at the Hill Fort

Fijian meke dance lesson - Intro Week

IVHQ Fijian language lesson - Intro Week

Popular weekend trip spot - The Beach House

Exploring The Beach House

Seaside view at the Beach House

South Sea Island trip during free time

Diving at South Sea Island

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Francine Scholz

05 Dec 2024

If you ever feel hesitant to do one of these programs, don’t be. It is honestly an amazing thing to do for both yourself and the local community you are serving. I had the most amazing time and met the most amazing people who made the experience even more worthwhile.

...

Jenifer Nguyen

03 Sep 2024

It is an unforgettable experience. I wish I had done something like this when I was younger. The people (coordinators, kids, volunteers, Fijians) have the biggest hearts and have touched my heart forever.

...

Amy Colliver

23 Jul 2024

An incredible experience that I will remember for years to come. Also learning that my years of volunteering have only just started.

...

Ishani Hariprasad

15 Jul 2024

Joining a program like this, if you are able to, not only helps the community of which you are serving but also helps you grow as a person both mentally and physically. I have gained so much from this trip beyond just helping the children. I’ve gained life long friendships and deep connections with those who I met in Fiji as well as an incredible amount of memories and meaningful moments!!

...

Keira Hayidakis

30 Apr 2024

I feel as though I have gained an understanding of Fijian culture, a passion for teaching and an immense feeling of gratitude for the experience. I would advise anyone hesitant of joining to 100% sign up. It was truly the most experience ever with lovely people.

...

Salisha Baksh

08 Mar 2023

My hightlight moment from the volunteer experience was interacting with the locals, experiencing their culture, but most of all, seeing the smiles on the kids face everyday. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was I was able to see how different cultures live and enjoy the simple wonders of life. It is an experience of a lifetime and you just have to get out of your comfort zone and do it. It will be an amazing experience that will last a lifetime.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Recommended online TEFL course

We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.

Get TEFL certified online

Location

Location

The IVHQ Fiji program is based on the Coral Coast of Fiji, which is on the south-eastern coast of mainland Fiji. Although Fiji is known as an island paradise with a thriving tourist industry, many Fijians face challenges associated with living below the poverty line. Volunteers provide valuable support in helping with the development and improvement of infrastructure in this small island nation, especially as it continues to grow.

Volunteer placements are located in and around Sigatoka which has some of the best beaches on the island. Volunteers travel to their placements from the volunteer accommodation via taxi. The accommodation is a 15-minute taxi ride to Sigatoka town and a mere 2-minute walk to the nearest beach.

Arrival and orientation

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. An airport pick up is provided here on Saturdays and Sundays between 6:00 AM and 4:30 PM only. If you arrive between this time, you will be met at the airport by a member of the local team who will provide assistance with your bus transfer to Sigatoka. You will then be picked up by a member of our local team at the Sigatoka bus station.

If you arrive outside of these times you can arrange a late airport pick up as an add on option. Alternatively you can arrange your own accommodation in Nadi and then make your way to Sigatoka via bus the following morning.

If you arrive prior to 6am, you may wait in the arrivals terminal until the local team can meet and assist you with your bus transfer.

Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Fiji prior to your volunteer program, you will need to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation and the local team will provide guidance on this.

There are two options for orientation for the Fiji Program.

One-day orientation:

This begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for a full day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, including an introduction to Fiji, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, city tour and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Introduction Week:

The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off must-do Fiji experiences! This includes a Kava welcome ceremony; weaving class, hike to a waterfall, language class, cooking class; and trip to Maui Bay!

Please note, the Introduction week is included in your total duration on the program. If you would like to take part in this week, please let your Program Manager know.

Volunteer schedule example

First day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be taken to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Please note that start times and daily workloads depend on the project that you are participating on. Some placements run in the afternoon and volunteers on these placements will have the morning to create their lesson plans, or can join another project.

A typical volunteer day might be:

7:30 - 8:30 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer house and then travel to your placement to join local placement staff.
9:00 AM	Start at your placement.
12:00 PM	Volunteers break for lunch. Most volunteers travel back to the volunteer house for lunch, while some volunteers may be provided lunch at their placement.
2:00 PM	Work at your placement usually ends. You are free to use this time to lesson plan for tomorrow or spend the afternoon exploring
5:30 PM	Dinner at the volunteer house. After dinner, you will have the remainder of the evening free to relax and use as you wish.

To ensure the safety of our volunteers and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation, a curfew of 11:30 PM has been put in place for every evening, including the weekend. If you wish to stay out longer, you must discuss this first with our local team and arrange alternative accommodation.

Weekends

Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring Sigatoka, visiting the beautiful pristine coastlines, beaches or rainforests. Volunteers can spend the weekends exploring the Coral Coast which is a stretch of beaches and bays between Nadi and Suva. Along this coastline is the Pacific Harbour (approximately 1.5 hours from Sigatoka), which is the self-proclaimed ‘Adventure Capital’ of Fiji. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving. It is recommended you budget for these additional weekend trips.

Accommodation and WiFi

You’ll stay in dormitory-style volunteer houses located in the Sigatoka area near the community where volunteers work. It is approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Sigatoka town and 2 minutes from the beach. The area has a very strong friendly Fijian culture. A curfew of 11:30 PM is in effect every evening, including weekends, to ensure the safety and respect of others in the volunteer accommodation.

The volunteer house is very basic but comfortable, with electricity, fans, and running water. Bathrooms in the volunteer houses are all western style with a shower, toilet and basin. Bedding is provided which includes a pillow, pillowcase and sheets (Washed Weekly). You will need to bring a towel and toiletries.

You can expect to share a room with up to 5 other volunteers of the same gender. Couples or individuals who want more privacy have an option to upgrade to private accommodation. Private rooms are subject to availability and therefore you must arrange this well in advance of your program. The local team will do their best to keep families together.

While basic WiFi is available for communication use at the accommodation internet access, it is not always reliable. Therefore we recommend purchasing a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone. The local team can assist you with purchasing this during your program orientation in Sigatoka and is relatively cheap 30FJD for 60GB a month). WiFi is also available at cafes and restaurants around Sigatoka.

Please note that during busy times, some volunteers maybe accommodated in a nearby hotel. Volunteers who are placed in the hotel will still have all their meals at the volunteer house.

Meals

Fijian food is tasty and diverse, with a strong influence of Indian and Chinese cuisine. Three meals a day are served at the volunteer house on weekdays, but on weekends only breakfast and dinner are served, leaving volunteers responsible for their own lunches. Typical dishes include chow mein (Fiji style stir-fried noodles and vegetables), starches such as cassava, taro, sweet potato, bread, fruit, rice, stews, soups and curries.

Breakfast is typically cereal, tea, coffee, fruit, eggs and toast.

Bottled water is readily available in Fiji and there are water filters available in the volunteer accommodation for volunteers.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can discuss this with you. The local team will do their best to see that you are well taken care of but you should not expect to eat as you do at home. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use and the local team will show you where to buy food during orientation.

IVHQ Fiji Main Volunteer House

Beach 1min walk away from volunteer house

Typical volunteer shared room

Shared bathroom in volunteer accommodation

IVHQ Fiji Common Area

IVHQ Fiji Dining Area

Lockers provided at IVHQ Fiji Program

Volunteer house private room upgrade

Private room upgrade ensuite bathroom

IVHQ Fiji secondary volunteer house

Typical volunteer shared room

Shared Bathrooms in volunteer house

Typical volunteer lunch served at the house

Self service breakfast at the house

Volunteer dinner of fish curry with beans and roti

Typical lunch - noodles with a side of fresh fruit

Volunteer Breakfast

Fijian style dinner served with fresh fruit and juice

Pancake Fridays at the volunteer house

IVHQ Fiji Accommodation

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$510 Equivalent to $73/day
2 weeks	$730 Equivalent to $52/day
3 weeks	$955 Equivalent to $45/day
4 weeks	$1,175 Equivalent to $42/day
5 weeks	$1,375 Equivalent to $39/day
6 weeks	$1,580 Equivalent to $38/day
8 weeks	$1,990 Equivalent to $36/day
10 weeks	$2,420 Equivalent to $35/day
12 weeks	$2,830 Equivalent to $34/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$453) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Fiji generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Airport pick-up
Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Sigatoka

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Sigatoka program.

Fiji Introduction Week

The Introduction Week is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Fiji.

CA$169

Airport Drop-off

Enjoy a stress free ride from the accommodation back to either Nadi International Airport or Nausori International Airport arranged by our local team.

CA$116

Airport pick up (for volunteers arriving outside of the pick up window)

If you’re arriving outside the airport pick-up times, book this add on now!

CA$116

View all add-ons & experiences

Check what's required to visit Fiji

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Suva
Population	909,943
Languages	English, Fijian and Fijian Hindi
Currency	Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Time zone	UTC+12:00

Weather and climate

Fiji has a hot climate all year round with maximum temperatures averaging between 26°C and 31°C (79°F - 88°F). The wet season runs from November to April and the dry season runs from May through October. The wet season is characterized by high humidity with heavy downpours followed by sunshine. The dry season is when temperatures are typically cooler with little rainfall.

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