Fiji: Volunteer Care Work with Children

Volunteering on a Care project in Fiji is an ideal way to get involved with the local community of this fascinating island. Whether you are on a gap year, summer placement, or career break we will arrange a great project for you.

Volunteers with specific qualifications and experience are welcome, though you don’t need either to join us as a Care volunteer. All we ask is that you bring energy, passion, and commitment to the placement.

Volunteer Work in Kindergartens and with Children who have Special Needs

The Fijian islands in the South Pacific are home to a courteous, sincere people with ancient traditions. However, Fiji is facing increased poverty as more people move from villages to cities centres.

Volunteer with orphans in the South Pacific

Our Care placements are based in and around Nadi on the west coast of Viti Levu and Suva on the east coast. Most volunteers work at kindergartens, though there are also opportunities to volunteer in either an orphanage or centre for children with special needs. Please let us know if you have a preference on your application so we can place you according to your skills and interest.

The class sizes are large at the kindergartens so it’s difficult for local staff to give each child as much attention as they need. Volunteers working here will be able to provide a helping hand by looking after and caring for the children. It is also the perfect opportunity to put any skills and interests you have to use, whether you make arts and crafts, or teach games and songs to the children - your suggestions will be well received. By showing initiative and enthusiasm the options are endless.

Volunteer at orphanages and schools in Fiji Projects Abroad also works with a centre for children with special needs. Here volunteers can provide the children with the extra care and attention they need. This project is challenging yet extremely rewarding. There is a great need for people who have experience or qualifications in this field, in particular speech therapy or special needs education. Most importantly they welcome any volunteers who have patience and a strong desire to help wherever necessary.

Volunteers normally live with a host family that is either walking distance or a short bus ride from their project.

Volunteering abroad on a Care Project in Fiji

Volunteer with childcare In whichever Care project in Fiji you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. It is in your role as a volunteer - spending time with the children, playing with them and putting a smile on their face - that you will learn how your help impacts those you work with. Whether you’re taking a group out for a trip to the beach, helping with homework, playing a game, or reading a story to the younger ones, you will be an essential part of the children’s development.

The majority of care centres and kindergartens in Fiji have a vacation period from the beginning of December to the end of January. Care volunteers working during this period will continue working at the Projects Abroad summer schools that are run in both Suva and Nadi. Projects Abroad volunteers are solely responsible for planning and running all the lessons and it’s a great opportunity to use your imagination and come up with educational lessons, games, arts and crafts, and other activities.

This project is available for less than a month if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for shorter durations for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the local community please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone participating for a longer period.

Volunteer ProfileRebecca Bellay

I think my main highlight would be when one of the children wrote his name all on his own. The reason it stays in my memory is because this young boy was behind in all areas compared to the other children. I spent a lot of one on one time helping the child with reading and writing and you really feel a sense of accomplishment when the child achieves something they never thought they would. Read more...

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