Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Fiji, Coral Coast

• Support local communities
• Help the reconstruction of buildings
• Paint local schools, renovate their classrooms and libraries
• Work and live on the beautiful island of Fiji!

To book an activity with us we require you to participate for a minimum of two weeks. Therefore, you would need to book a quantity of two for this activity, unless you choose a separate activity to go with it. See the ‘Related trips…’ section for more options. We also offer a cultural immersion week, so talk to us if you would like to add this too, as it is a great way of settling in, learning cultural aspects of the country you are visiting and meeting new people.

Construction and Renovation Project in Fiji

We have initiated the construction project to support the local community by sheltering those in need and start reconstructing some of what had been lost during the cyclone disaster. This project is based in the Sigatoka area and is a fantastic opportunity to provide tangible benefits and assistance to the local community in general and schools in particular. Bring out your carpentry skills and participate along with the local community in the construction project.

In addition to the basic project, you may also take part in landscaping the surrounding area, painting local schools and renovating classrooms. Many of the schools we work with do not have the funding to renovate their classrooms or build libraries and resource centres and this is where you can participate. In the past, we even built a library for a village school. In many areas of Fiji, thousands of families live in inadequate accommodation and children attend school in crumbling buildings. Our construction project allows them to move to new and better quality homes and allows the children to receive an education in secure, new classrooms. On average, you will be working for about 6 hours a day on the project.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive on Sunday between 06:00 – 18:00 where we will meet you. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge for the transfer and/or accommodation.

Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.

Aims & Objectives
It aims to build and renovate buildings that are essential for the growth and development of the local community.

Schedule

Monday

On Monday, after breakfast, you will start planning the project with the coordinator assigned to you. Once you plan the project and receive the relevant information, you can have lunch and then leave to work at the community location. Once your work for the day is complete, you can return to the centre and attend a meeting where you can provide feedback regarding the first day at your placement.

Tuesday to Friday

Your day will begin a bit early. You will be taken to our project site and assigned with particular tasks for the day. A coordinator will be around to guide you during the project. After lunch, you will work at the community location where you will continue to with construction and renovation activities.

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Additional Requirements

Due to the active nature of this program, a decent level of fitness is required. Participants above 16 and below 18 are required to present a parental consent letter and participants below 16 are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Additional Equipment

No additional requirement

Location

Coral Coast is the coastline connecting Suva and Sigatoka stretching over a large area along the Southeast coast of Fiji. The location is perfect, sitting along a beautiful stretch of coastline, and has the best beaches on the island with a chilled out atmosphere.

The area lives up to its reputation as a spot for adrenaline junkies, offering a wide variety of activities to get your heart racing, from surfing and shark feeding to four-wheel-drive tours. For a more laid-back experience try a round of golf on the championship course, or enjoy a spot of fishing. Offering lush rainforests, rivers and waterfalls at your back door and a beach looking across to Beqa Island which is world-famous for fire walking.

Accommodation & Food

About the Accommodation

Participants will stay at our beachfront centre which is located in the Sigatoka area, yet it can vary depending on the project you are enrolled with. The accommodation is dorm style with a private bathroom. There are refrigerators at the accommodation for the participant’s convenience. The house has a garden as well as a volleyball court.

Available Room Types

* Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends and public holidays
** Water, tea, coffee and milk
*** At an additional fee

Food Arrangements

We serve breakfast and dinner at a normal time during the weekend. Breakfast is western style and lunch and dinner are typical Fijian style.

Facilities

• ATM’s: There are many ATM’s near the Centre which is about a 5 to 10 minutes from the house
• The local supermarket is a 5-minute walk from the centre
• Personal SIM card for your mobile: You can buy at the local shop
• The closest City is Nadi about one and a half ride by car/bus from our Centre
• The closest town is Sigatoka town which is 10 mins away
• About 10 mins to Medical Centre

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule

• Welcome, introduction to Fiji and projects, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
• Sigatoka City Tour
• Kava Ceremony – The Traditional Fijian Welcome Ceremony

Activities & Events

No scheduled activities outside the program

Sights & Surroundings

• Sigatoka sand dunes
• Kila Eco Adventure Park: enjoy high rope course, a leap of faith and a giant swing
• Scuba and snorkelling
• Tavuni Hill Fort
• Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course
• Sigatoka Market
• Arts Village at Pacific Harbour: Enjoy the footbridges, the water-lily ponds, the pathways, the Fijian bure and experience how life was in the olden days which is one and hour drive

Transportation

From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations

Accommodation

Participants will stay at our beachfront centre which is located in the Sigatoka area. Accommodation is dorm style with a private bathroom. Shared rooms (4-6 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Fijian style; garden; volleyball court; internet access in communal areas.

Food

3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; breakfast is western style and lunch and dinner are typical Fijian style.

Airport Transfer

Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. Accommodation surcharges apply for those arriving on Saturday. From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.

Training

A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

Support

Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation

Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Spending money
• In country travel
• Laundry service
• Extra activities not on itinerary
• Departure transfer

Preferred Duration

There is no preferred duration but we believe that the longer you can stay the more you will experience and benefit.

Pre-requisites

No prior experience or qualifications are required, but an interest in construction and renovation, and a desire to help others through community renovation and development is required. It is important that you can speak English and have a decent level of fitness. All participants require a CRB check to take part in the project activities and must provide a copy of their passport and insurance.

Ideal for

Construction and Renovation Volunteer Holidays and Placements in Fiji; Community Work and Building Activity Breaks in Fiji; Volunteer Gap Years and Career Breaks on the Coral Coast; and Student Summer Holidays in Fiji.

Suitable for ages 18 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.