Health and Safety – Fiji Islands

From departure to arrival home, your safety is our highest priority.  The Fijian Islands were chosen as our volunteer destination because of their security, the friendliness of the people and the impact our work can have on the community. We are very aware that for some of our volunteers this may be their first experience abroad, or away from family. We want to assure you that should you have any questions or need any assistance while on project, there will always be someone nearby to help. Never hesitate to ask any question at all! Our leaders and staff are there to ensure that our volunteers have the best possible experience.

Travel

If you choose to travel on the group flight you will be travelling with your fellow project volunteers and soon-to-be friends. Your flight will be met at Nadi airport and we will have a bus to take you to your accommodation and then on to the village you will be working and staying in. At the end of the program you will be transferred to the airport and accompanied to your flight. You will travel home with your new friends, a real sense of accomplishment and many amazing travel stories!

Accommodation

Village homestay

During week one the whole volunteer group stays in the same tiny village overnight, accompanied by our VESA staff. Small groups of two to three volunteers will be hosted in the homes of Fijian families whose children attend the local school. Our team leaders are familiar with the village and villagers and all homes have been checked and provided with bedding etc for our groups. Your facilities will include:

• Room shared with one or two other same gender volunteers
• Bed linen and pillows
• Limited electricity
• Communal toilets
• River for bathing
• Limited Internet
• Laundry by host family
• No phones are available

Hostel and Island accommodation

During your island hopping adventure, your hostel facilities will include:

• Dorm accommodation
• Bed linen and pillows
• Electricity
• Full bathrooms
• Internet available on inter island ferry and for purchase at Beachcomber Island
• No phones
• Credit card facilities on Beachcomber Island

Food and Water

The home stay ‘mother’ will prepare all your food, the local water supply is clean and drinkable and you will have access to unlimited supplies of bottled water. 

VESA Group Leaders

You will be accompanied at all times by one of our Group Leaders, including to and from your assigned worksites, and any activities you are involved in will be conducted under the supervision of qualified local tradespeople and/or teaching staff. All VESA Group Leaders are first aid qualified. You will be located within driving distance of a local medical centre and within reach of major hospitals in Nadi or Suva.