Involvement Volunteers International Special Needs Schools Fiji
Project TypeHome Stay Placement | Special Needs Teaching Duration1 Week+ Start DatesAll year round (Arrivals Sat/Sun preferred) LocationNadi & Lautoka |
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Whats Included
Whats Not Included
Background Information
We work with various special needs schools in Lautoka and Nadi. The schools cater for children and young adults from 5-20 years with learning disabilities, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments. The schools are well managed and run by caring staff who can always use a helping hand. The kids are not used to seeing foreigners and so the inter-cultural learning is a significant benefit for all parties.
Project Tasks
Volunteers provide vital one to one care, listening to students read, assistance them with there work, helping with art and craft work, helping with administration duties, assisting in the canteen and various other valuable tasks in and around the school grounds.
Teach vocational skills, computer training, speech therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, singing, dancing, arts & crafts, physical education.
Who Can Participate
All volunteers wanting to participate in this placement are required to submit a police report which clears them for participation in activities with minors. Applicants with past experience in this field or strong desire will be considered. The Ministry of Health has fairly strict requirements for participants in special needs so please ensure your application caters to this.
Accommodation
Enjoy living like a Fiji local. You’ll have your own single or twin share room within private, clean and safe western style homes (see pictures below). You will have a place to store your personal belongings, a private bathroom and toilet (where possible – not all placements include this), a fan and single mattress (if sharing a room). Many home stays include a self contained flat separate from the main residence so you can have your own space. Internet is usually not included with most volunteers purchasing a temporary 3G plan for their own device.
Enjoy integrating into a local Fijian way of life. You’ll have the support and care of living with a real Fijian family. We have a dedicated team on the ground and a network of host families and ground operators in various parts of the country.
Meals
Meals are included and served at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation):
- Breakfast – cereal, bread, butter etc, tea, coffee, milo. Volunteers can make their own eggs should they wish.
- Lunch – Volunteers to prepare their own sandwich. Tuna, cold meat, salad, eggs. Some prefer to take left over dinner from the night before for lunch.
- Dinner – Cooked meal (eg. stews, soups, curries, fish, roast vegetables, taro, sweet potato, bread, rice etc.
Visa Requirements
It is the responsibility of all participants to obtain any necessary visas. Please note that the Fijian government has recently introduced a volunteer visa which has a cost of $190FJD (approx $100 USD) and carries with it some restrictions (eg. additional paperwork/approval to extend beyond 14 days). This is obtained upon arrival. A standard tourist visa applies for 30 days and is free of charge. It is your choice to advise immigration accordingly.
