Work with local people on community development projects in the Yasawa Islands

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Project Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

You will make your home, alongside a group of international volunteers, among the spectacular white sandy beaches and sapphire blue waters of the Yasawa Island chain in Fiji. The Yasawa’s are a chain of about 20 ancient islands in the western region Fiji. The dramatic landscape offers sweeping volcanic hillsides and beautiful crystal clear lagoons.

This multi focused expedition will give you the opportunity to help community members develop important tools for future generations.

Some of the Highlights

On weekends or pre/post your volunteer work you can enjoy island hopping, stunning remote island locations, scuba diving, snorkelling, traditional ceremonies, idyllic traditional Fijian villages, white beaches, climbing volcanic mountains, enjoying breathtaking scenery, cave swimming, cultural immersion in the Fijian way of life, learning to speak Fijian. Directly helping in the construction and installation of rainwater harvesting systems, helping to improve the lives of villagers, volunteer in local kindergartens and schools, interacting with villagers and making lifelong friends.

Focusing on several critical initiatives, this dynamic expedition allows you to get involved with fresh water management, education, environmental initiatives, sustainable fishing and sustainable agriculture practices.

Scholarships
We are always looking for enthusiastic and dedicated people to join our team. This expedition offers qualifying and high-performing volunteers the chance to stay on the expedition for a longer duration on a GVI Scholarship free of charge and as part of the staff team in the field. If you would like to work towards a field career and make the very most of your time abroad, you might want to work towards a place on a GVI Scholarship. Successful scholars may find themselves offered full time employment with GVI, and many of our current staff have come through this route. Contact us for more information!

Please note, the awarding of scholarships is at the sole discretion of GVI and may be offered immediately after the completion of your program or at a later date.

Life on the Program

Rising early for breakfast followed by a team meeting, you will review current projects before heading out to your site with your team to start the work for the day. You will generally work Monday to Friday with weekends providing time to relax and explore the local area.

Fiji is a stunningly beautiful place, offering a wealth of opportunity for the exploring traveler. World class dive sites, tropical beaches, island hopping and snorkeling are some of the most popular ways for volunteers to take it all in. Famous for its culture, warmth and hospitality, you will find that Fiji makes every adventure a pleasure.

Project Details

Seasonal rainfall and a lack of natural reservoirs are responsible for drinking water shortages in the Yawasa chain. Our primary goal on this expedition is to secure the supply of fresh water for people in this region through construction projects and local education.

Secondly, the local community has also requested our assistance with English language teaching, maths, sports education and arts with the long term aim to assist in teacher education and training while sharing the workload of local teachers.

The goals and priorities of this expedition are discussed and determined in collaboration with our local partner, the Yasawa Trust Foundation.

How this program makes a difference:

Many villages in the Yasawa Islands do not have access to a constant supply of fresh water and lack sustainable sources of income.

GVI works directly with the Yasawa Trust Foundation by supplying volunteers to help with their initiatives.

Thus far, the Yasawa Trust has been successful building rainwater collection systems and in spreading education throughout the area.