Volunteer in a Kindergarten Program in Fiji

Discover the vibrant Coral Coast of Fiji and help shape the futures of young children through engaging English lessons and creative activities. This program focuses on assisting kindergartners aged 3 to 6 in under-resourced schools while offering you an authentic cultural experience. Collaborate with local teachers to enhance educational standards and create lasting memories with enthusiastic Fijian children. Immerse yourself in the community and enjoy the serene beauty of Fiji during your free time.

Program Highlights:

Assist local teachers in kindergartens with lessons and activities.
Teach English to children aged 3 to 6 in vibrant classrooms.
Organize dynamic arts, crafts, and games for young learners.
Take part in Kids’ Clubs during school holidays with engaging themes.
Enjoy weekends exploring Fiji’s Coral Coast and its natural beauty.
Gain cross-cultural experience and contribute to local educational development.
Enhance your Fiji experience by adding our Coral Coast Culture Week (see additional options below).

Your schedule at a glance:

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Nadi or Nausori International Airport, meet the local team, and settle into the volunteer accommodation in Sigatoka.

Monday: Take part in orientation, including a tour of Sigatoka, an introduction to Fijian culture, and a traditional Kava ceremony.

Tuesday-Friday: Spend mornings teaching and engaging in interactive activities with children. Use afternoons for lesson planning with fellow volunteers and coordinators.

Saturday-Sunday: Free time to relax, explore nearby beaches, and enjoy local excursions. Saturday departures for one-week participants.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having weekends free. Departures are on a Saturday.

Location of the Project: Sigatoka, a picturesque town on Fiji’s Coral Coast, renowned for its beaches and cultural richness.

Project length: Minimum 1 week, Maximum 8 weeks

Arrival Airport: Nadi International Airport (NAN) or Nausori International Airport (SUV)

Volunteer Work: Teaching English, arts and crafts, and leading educational games.

Age: Minimum 18 (17 with parental concent)

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared dormitory-style rooms with basic amenities.

Food: Three meals daily during weekdays, two meals on weekends.

Airport Transfers: Pickup upon arrival during scheduled times.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, international and domestic airport taxes, weekend meals, airport drop off, personal expenses

Location

Sigatoka is most well-known for being a part of Fiji’s Coral Coast – a beautiful area on the west side of Fiji lined with beachside resorts and hotels. Sand dunes are also nearby, as well as the Kulukulu village and Kula Eco Park, making this a lively tourist destination. This area is Fiji’s adventure capital, since there are thrilling activities to join, such as four-wheeling adventures, surfing beaches and even the chance to feed sharks!

Fiji’s residents are extremely multicultural, with an increasing number of Indo-Fijian, Australians and New Zealanders. Aside from the locals, the capital frequently hosts several Asian sailors on leave and university students from around the Pacific.

Volunteer Work

This program aims to address challenges in early childhood education in rural Fijian communities. With limited resources and large class sizes, local schools benefit from the support of volunteers who bring creativity and energy to the classroom.

As a volunteer, we will place you at a kindergarten in the Coral Coast community. The primary aim is to provide educational enrichment for the children and assist the teachers with creative activities. The kids’ ages range from 3 to 6 and they are enthusiastic to meet and learn from foreign volunteers.

Your duties as a volunteer may include:

Assist teachers with lessons and activities.
Lead interactive games and storytelling sessions.
Plan and conduct arts and crafts projects.
Support children in improving their conversational English.
Organize and lead Kids’ Club activities during school holidays.

A typical day: You can expect to volunteer around five hours per day, Monday to Friday. Your days will begin at 9:00 AM with English lessons and recreational activities. After lunch, you will help with lesson planning for the next day. Weekends are free.

Holidays: During some holidays, the children will be out of school and the project will not run as scheduled. During this time, volunteers will be primarily involved in cleaning tasks, renovations and leading the Kid’s Club.

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation but may be inconsistent. A local SIM card or eSIM is recommended for reliable connectivity.

Laundry icon Laundry: Laundry services are available for a small fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: You will stay in a shared dorm-style room at a center in Sigatoka with four to six single-gender volunteers per room. There are refrigerators at the accommodation and the closest supermarket is just a five-minute walk away.

Food icon Food: Three meals a day are provided during the week and two meals a day are provided on the weekends. Breakfast is Western-style and lunch and dinner are typically Fijian-style and, occasionally, Indian or Western. There is also a local supermarket, a five-minute walk from the center where you can purchase snacks and additional food items.

Travel Highlights

Coral Coast Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
For an additional fee, you can extend your stay for a week, with a program designed to introduce you to Fijian culture, as well as give you time to get to know the other volunteers. During the program, you’ll have time to explore several famous sights around the Coral Coast, followed by Fijian customs, language, weaving and cooking sessions.

Optional Extras (additional fee)
If you choose to stay in Sigatoka for the weekend, the center offers a variety of activities and destinations, including:

Snorkeling
Diving
4×4 tours
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
Kila Eco Adventure Park rope courses and swings
Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

If you are interested in a specific excursion, please ask the local coordinators upon arrival. Fiji is a great island with many interesting tourist sites. Your coordinator can give you helpful information and suggestions when you arrive.