Fiji | Community Service

Overview

Fijians are considered to be among the most friendly and hospitable people on earth. From our home base on one of Fiji’s smaller islands, we become a part of the community as we volunteer alongside members of our host village to complete a variety of community service projects. Volunteer projects are identified by the village council, and community members work alongside our group throughout. Volunteer projects may include constructing a playground at the elementary school, running an after-school camp for village youth, or painting a mural at the elementary school. Choose an independent project and pursue an aspect of Fijian culture of particular interest to you – go fishing with local fishermen, spend a day learning traditional weaving techniques, learn the meke, a traditional Fijian dance, or learn to make some local specialty dishes such as rou-rou. After we wrap up the workday there will be time to join in a game up pick-up volleyball, go for a hike, or go for a swim in the ocean. Try your hand at spearfishing or simply relax with new friends during a kava ceremony. Participants on this volunteer program can expect to complete between 50-70 hours of community service work.

While in the village we stay in a house or a community building at the center of the town. Accommodations are basic: we use sleeping bags and sleeping pads on the floor and have separate sleeping space for girls and boys. There are simple showers and running water. There is limited electricity. We have access to basic kitchen facilities and local women will prepare meals for the group.

Fijians are incredibly friendly and hospitable. Our Fijian hosts welcome us fully into their community and treat us like family for the duration of our stay.

During excursions, we head out to explore the surrounding areas. The Fijian Archipelago is home to one of the most extensive ranges of coral reef in the world. Head out to snorkel or scuba dive among the abundant marine life. Other activities may include heading inland to hike mountain trails to remote waterfalls, visiting a local market, attending a Fijian dance performance, or taking surfing lessons.

We wrap up our South Pacific community service adventure at a rustic resort on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu. Our last few days as a group are spent relaxing on the white-sand beach, snorkeling or scuba diving magnificent coral, kayaking in the calm bay, or heading out to deep-sea fish with local fishermen.

Highlights

• Volunteer with community members to complete a construction project at the local school.
• Try your hand at spearfishing or free dive in search of giant clams.
• Snorkel or scuba some of Fiji’s phenomenal coral reefs, considered some of the best in the world.
• Start an after-school arts and crafts club for local youth.
• Learn some basic Fijian phrases from our village hosts.
• Participate in a traditional Fijian sevu sevu (steeped kava plant) ceremony with community leaders in a typical welcoming ceremony.

What to Expect

For most of each weekday, we are actively involved in community service work. This volunteer work, as well as afternoon and excursion activities, can be strenuous, and you can expect to spend most of each day outside. Everyone participates in all of the group’s projects on a rotating basis, and everyone lends a hand in meal preparation and cleanup. Since we live in our village as the local people do, accommodations are very simple with separate space for boys and girls, and basic bathroom facilities. You should come to the program with an open-mind, eager to participate in new experiences and interested in exploring another culture and way of life. If you are scuba-registered, you will have an opportunity to take a dive.

At Putney we take pride in our reputation for careful, thorough planning and attention to detail. The descriptions of our high school summer programs are based on our experiences in previous summers and our plans for this summer. It is inevitable that some things described here will not happen exactly as presented. To get the most out of the Putney experience, participants need to be flexible in responding to unforeseen situations, and creative in taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. We expect Putney participants to share responsibility for the success of their experience.

Fees

Tuition: $4,790

Putney organizes escorted international flights. Please consult us for fares.

Itinerary

Learn about last year’s program by reading the 2012 Community Service Fiji Blog.

This program begins and ends at Los Angeles International Airport.

Departure • Join the group as we begin our adventure in the South Pacific.  The group flight departs from Los Angeles International Airport where you will meet your leaders and travel to Nadi, Fiji, continuing on to Taveuni.

Service Village: Our home base in Fiji is a rural community on an island off the coast of Taveuni. Upon arrival we are received with a meke, or traditional dance, and take part in a traditional sevu sevu (sometimes referred to  as kava kava) ceremony with village leaders as we are warmly welcomed into the community. We spend the first day settling into our new home, getting to know one another, and joining in an in-depth orientation to Fijian life. We meet with community members to review the service projects of the next few weeks and discuss how to best prepare to accomplish our goals for the summer.

Surfers will enjoy catching a wave on one of Fiji’s best surfing beaches.

Excursions: On excursions, we explore all that Fiji has to offer. Head inland to hike in Fiji’s lush mountain forests, stopping along the way for a swim in a waterfall or to sample fresh native fruits. Take a boat to neighboring islands to relax on isolated beaches, and join in a game of club rugby or volleyball with some local teenagers.

Final excursion:  We head to Viti Levu to a rustic resort as we wrap up our last few days together. With its white sand beaches and opportunities for snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, bonfires, and volleyball, it is an ideal place to relax for a few days before the journey home.

Return •  Fly with the group and leaders from Nadi, Fiji, to Los Angeles International Airport. Continue to your final destination on a connecting flight.

This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule.  However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.

Destination

Background • Fiji is composed of more than 330 islands of which only around 100 are inhabited. Once a British colony, Fiji is a blend of indigenous cultures with the vibrant influence of its neighbors in the Pacific, including Tonga, Caledonia, and the Samoas. Over 30% of Fijians are Indian Fijians whose ancestors arrived in Fiji from India as indentured laborers in the 1800s. Though one of the most developed Pacific Island economies, over 30% of Fiji’s population continue to live in poverty.

Population  •  Fiji has a population of 850,000, most being indigenous Fijians.

Over 300 islands make up the nation of Fiji. Each island has its own unique features but all boast beautiful beaches and turquoise waters.

Language  •  Though English is an official language in Fiji, Fijian and Hindi are the most commonly spoken languages.

Climate •  Though July is considered to be the “cool season,” you will find Fiji’s weather  to be tropical—warm and humid, with highs in the 80′s and lows in the high 60′s.

Taro root is a staple in Fijian cooking.

Cuisine • The food in Fiji reflects the influence of the British colonial presence as well as that of recent Indian and Chinese immigrants. Many dishes incorporate seafood, tubers and hearty vegetables.

Currency •  The currency of Fiji is the Fijian dollar (FJD).

Voltage • Electricity in Fiji is 240V/50Hz. Type I electrical outlet adapters (three flat pins, with the top two angling inward) are necessary.

How To Apply

STEP 1: LOG ON.

If you are new to Putney Student Travel, visit our Online Application.  
If you are a Putney Student Travel alumni family, use your existing account information to Log In.

STEP 2: HOLD A SPACE IN THE PROGRAM.

You can hold a space in a program by completing the Online Application Form, submitting a signed Agreement Form, and providing the $700 Application Deposit by Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card through our secure online system or by sending a check to our office. Our admissions staff is also available to take credit card information over the phone.  We will hold a space in a program for a reasonable time, pending completion of the full application process. See Step 3.

After March 15, we will hold a space temporarily as above, but we must receive full payment by check or wire transfer within three days to continue to hold a space in the program.

STEP 3: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

Before we can make a final admissions decision, an application must be complete.  In addition to the Application Form and Application Deposit described above, a complete application includes:

• Applicant Statement - Attach a statement explaining why you would like to join a Putney program and what you feel you can contribute to it. Your application cannot be processed without this statement. Approximately 150–300 words is sufficient. Global Action applicants’ statements must be 300-500 words addressing these questions, and detailing their interest and/or experience in the country and issues on which they wish to focus.
• Two Teacher Reference Forms

These documents are available as part of our Online Application.  We review a completed application within a few days, and notify families of our admissions decision by e-mail.