Volunteering Abroad in Fiji

This year in Fiji I would love to provide remote villages with access to fresh water, restore local school equipment, and teach English to primary schools.

Hello, my name is Brook. I am a freshman in college and I have been accepted to volunteer abroad with Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA). As a college student from a low income family, it has been difficult for me to come up with the money to go out and experience this amazing opportunity I have in front of me. I believe volunteering abroad is something that is possible for anybody to do, with the help of scholarships and funding, and is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. I am passionate about traveling and spreading kindness all over the world, especially to those less fortunate.

The link below will take you to a video that shows where I would like to go on an incredible journey to make a difference in this optimistic and welcoming Fijian Village.

During my time there, I will be living in a 'homestay' in a traditional Fijian village. After being welcomed I will be working with the villagers constructing rain water catchment tanks so that the villagers have access to fresh, clean and running water. I will also be helping out in the local school teaching English to children through basic lessons and games, and also restoring the schools equipment and buildings.

Although a fortunate country in many ways, Fiji is still a developing nation. Average wages for unskilled workers there are about $50 per week. Tourism is Fiji's main income and most resorts are foreign operated with profits headed overseas.

This is an incredible and life-changing experience for me that I have always dreamed to do. To volunteer abroad is to change lives forever. This isn't just a good deed, or simply helping someone out. This is possibly the greatest thing I will ever do. There are families living in dank squalid conditions who I can help. The joy on their faces once they have a new home is absolutely priceless. I would find a way to do this even if it costed me $10,000. I want to immerse myself in the village I'm staying in, and get to know everyone who lives there. I want to connect with the children, even though it will make saying good-bye much harder, it is worth it. I have a desire to see the world, even the underprivileged parts. Although this is my first time volunteering abroad, I know it will not be my last.

I urge everyone who reads this to travel and see the world. There are so many ways we can help others and learn from them, and we don't even realize it. I don't plan on reaching the goal of $3,000 but every dollar helps.

Thank you so much, God bless. <3