Frequently Asked Questions

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Agnes Eunice Lloyd
6 years ago
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1 Arriving in Fiji Frequently Asked Questions Do I need a visa? You are responsible for organizing your own travel visa for Fiji if necessary, you should check if your nationality needs a visa well in advance of your departure date. You should also check the visa requirements of any country which you travel through to get to Fiji as you may or may not need a transit visa. If you are British Passport holder, a US Passport holder, or a Canadian Passport holder then you do not need to a travel visa for Fiji at this time. What do I need when arriving in Fiji? Your Passport (valid for at least six months after your project) and a copy of your passport Copy of Travel Insurance Immigration details for Arrival Form - this form needs to be filled out on the airplane. Please have your Passport details, Health Insurance, Address in Fiji for the forms: o Accommodation address: Hot Springs Hotel, PO Box 208 Savusavu, Fiji Islands o Contact number at Hot Springs is Do I need to bring any medications? Although pharmacy services are available in Fiji it is recommended that you bring all medication you require for the duration of your stay as there is not a pharmacy in your village. Budgeting We recommend between $100 USD to $150 USD spending money per week, more if you plan on doing big trips or shopping over the weekends. We recommend exchanging your money to Fiji Dollars before you depart, which can usually be done at your bank with a few days notice. Pound Sterling, Euros and US dollars (notes printed after 2003) are easily exchangeable at the airport in Nadi or in the town of Savusavu. Once you are in the village for the week, there is no place to exchange money. For the most recent exchange rates please refer to the following website:

2 What we don t cover Flights Personal Travel Insurance Travel Visas Personal Vaccinations/Medication Personal spending money (for souvenirs, weekend travel etc) Transfer back to the airport from the end of Project drop-off point (Karen Camp) on the last day of the Project so budget for a local taxi to drop you off at the airport Do I need malaria medication? No. Fiji does have mosquitoes however, they do not carry malaria. What vaccinations do I need? It is recommended that you are vaccinated for: tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid. Note that for most nationalities you will have had some of these vaccinations as a child. Staying in Fiji Where will I find the shuttle at the airport? If you arrive on a Friday, or your intended project start date you will get collected for free from Savusavu Airport. The airport is very small and mostly located outdoors. Your MAD crew leader will be waiting for there and they will help get you and your luggage to the hotel. If you book flights that land before your scheduled project start date, then we recommend staying at the Hotsprings Hotel as it is a friendly and welcoming place. Nearby are internet cafes, restaurants, bars, foreign currency bureaus, and mobile phone shops where you can by local sim cards (take your passport and make sure your handset is unlocked) If you have any trouble or miss your flight you can call or leave a message for your crew leader at Hot Springs Hotel ( ). If you arrive late in the day on Friday then the following morning (Saturday) your Project Leader will take you through the welcome and orientation before you make your way to the village. You will spend the rest of the day getting to know the area and settling into your accommodation. After your weekend orientation you will start your project work on Monday morning. What if I don t arrive on a Friday? If you arrive before Friday, and decide to stay elsewhere then please make your way Hotsprings Hotel to meet your volunteer leader and the rest of the volunteers at 14:00 on Friday. How does the Departure Work? We will return you to Savusavu and on the last day of your project (usually a Thursday) no later than 18:00. We find that volunteers typically like to spend the night in Savusavu before their flight on Friday so that there is time to rest up, get a proper shower, and do some souvenir shopping. You can stay at Hotsprings Hotel, make your way to the airport, or travel independently. We find that volunteers will 2

3 share a taxi to the airport (around $15 USD), go on to do some independent travel, or stay in Savusavu for an extra night or the weekend. Do I need to bring cash or can I use my debit / credit card? Visa and Mastercard facilities are available so you do not need to bring a large amount of cash, but it is a very good idea to come with Fijian Dollars. Speak to your bank before coming to exchange money and to ensure that your card is set up to be used abroad before you leave home. In the village you shouldn t really need much money as everything is taken care of there. There is a small shop where you can purchase snacks, and that only takes cash. Can I drink the tap water? Yes! The water you will be drinking in the village is essentially the same water that gets bottled and sold (Fiji Water anyone?) so it is perfectly safe to drink. Please bring a refillable water bottle with you. In Savusavu however, we recommend only purchasing and drinking from bottled water. Are there a lot of mosquitoes? There are mosquitoes here, because we are situated near a lush jungle landscape. You will want to bring plenty of mosquito repellent and a mosquito net for sleeping. Bringing allergy medication and anti-itch cream is always a good idea, especially if you are prone to mosquito bites. What kind of food are we going to eat? The food is exceptional in the village, the volunteers are never hungry and the families make it their aim to keep us full throughout the day. Each day a different family will be in charge of hosting you for meals so you will go to a different family s home to eat each day, dine at the community hall, or enjoy a meal on the beach. Either way you will enjoy their own special blends of Fijian home grown and a little shop bought grub! The food is predominately westernised as the villagers think we d struggle eating their diet which is very heavy carb loading, but you will enjoy traditional meals too and they include crop root vegetables such as cassava, yam, taro and bread fruit. There is a lot of local fish (caught by the villagers, or maybe even you!) as well as a lot of stodgy pancakes, baked rolls, and potato curries. The speciality dish is Miti, a wonderful blend of coconut milk, onions, chillies and fish always a favorite for the volunteers. They also produce a lot of curried and spicy dishes, usually with potato or noodles as a base. We can cater for most dietary requirements and it s important that you let us know before you go. However we do not cater for picky eaters so please be respectful of the local food, cultures, traditions and give everything a go, you may even enjoy them. If you do independent travel at the weekends you will need to budget separately for food. Is it possible to smoke? Yes, there are designated smoking areas outside in discrete locations. Smoking is not allowed in front of the villagers and in working hours, unless you are on lunch break and not on project site. Some members of the village smoke Suki, a natural Fijian rolled tobacco. MAD does not endorse volunteers smoking Suki. 3

4 Will I have internet access? There is no internet access in the village. There are internet cafes located in Savusavu that can be accessed on weekends off. Your MAD crew leader will have limited internet access in the village that can be used for emergency situations (or to wish your Mom a Happy Birthday on Facebook if need be). What happens if there is an emergency? We don't expect any problems (and nor should you!) but if you have any questions prior to departure or if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, please contact Madventurer HQ on: either (UK) or (US) to be directed through to our Volunteer Support Team who are based in California, USA In the case of a genuine crisis or emergency, Madventurer can be reached during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) on Tel: Out of office hours, emergency contact details for our crew can be found by going to the Contact page on the Madventurer.com website. This also shows our overseas crew emergency mobile contact details. Be sure to bring these numbers with you and to make sure that your family and friends have them as well. You crew member will have a working phone with them as well as access to internet while in the village so that they can handle any potential emergencies. Your MAD crew leader will have access to all emergency contacts needed. Are there plug sockets? There is no electricity in the village, but they do have a generator that will probably be run for several hours each night. However, the reliability of this is never guaranteed. Powerstrips are available in the volunteer house, community hall, and village store where you can charge your electronics. All outlets are Australian socket style so you will need an adaptor. Is it safe on my project? We minimize risks to our volunteers by giving advice on to how to keep safe, how to be culturally sensitive, and how to blend into the community. Our Projects are all integrated and hosted within small local communities, who all keep a careful watch over our volunteers and are well away from places such as busy tourist markets and shopping malls. Like any country there are unsafe places, particularly at night. These are well known by everyone and it is extremely unlikely that any volunteer could accidentally walk into them. Crime of any kind is rare in the villages where we work, and the local communities deal harshly with anyone who brings shame on the village as a criminal. The biggest risk is from opportunist theft, usually by children who don t know any better. The way to avoid this is by keeping any valuables out of site and in a secure place, and making sure that children do not enter bedrooms or other parts of the house where you have possessions. Fiji is as safe as any other country to visit if common sense and basic precautions are taken. All our projects are situated in safe areas with staff onsite. For the vast majority of tourists, Fiji is a relatively safe country and with common sense precautions you are highly unlikely to experience any serious 4

5 problems. It is widely recognized that tourism brings a valuable source of income to Fiji and its people; therefore tourists receive a warm welcome in Fiji Why do I have to pay to volunteer? The cost you pay to volunteer is only to cover unavoidable costs such as accommodation, meals, transport, shuttles, donation towards the project for running costs, and material to sustain the program. Most of the projects are run only on the money that is donated by volunteer fees, without these donations and the physical help from volunteers most projects would not exist. Should I bring donations? Donations are always welcome; however you should not feel like you have to bring anything. You are already donating your time and expertise. Please consult MAD on what to bring and how to donate items so that we ensure we are being culturally appropriate and respectful. The village generally appreciates receiving children s books, snorkeling supplies, sports equipment, and clothing items. When is the best time of year to volunteer? Any time is a great time to be in Fiji! Groups can be arranged to volunteer at anytime of year, but MAD HQ must consult the village prior to official project date confirmation. Individuals can sign up to go for four weeks from July 17 th -August 14 th, which we recommend to make the greatest impact and connection with the village. However, two week trips are great too and you can sign up to go from July 17 th July 31 st or July 31 st August 14 th. I want to make the most of my program, what length of time is best? The longer you can volunteer the better. Volunteers who stay longer can build greater relationships with the children and have a greater impact on the community. We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks and most volunteers stay for an average of 4 weeks. What do I need when I m on the project? Comfortable working clothes Comfortable shoes (with heel and toe protection for the build) Water shoes/ Sandals are recommended for waterfalls and the ocean as there are slippery rocks and sharp coral (Chacos and Tevas are good brands to purchase or to get ideas from) Swim wear and towel Simple flip flops Sleeping bag or duvet cover/sheet (a sleeping bag will probably be too hot, unless you tend to get cold at night. Most volunteers are fine with a sheet or a thin blanket.) Sunscreen Mosquito repellent and net Personal medication Headlamp (A flashlight will work too, but we recommend headlamps for their convenience and fabulous style) Refillable Water Bottle Work gloves Toiletries: you can always buy essentials in the town when you arrive. There is a small shop in the village where you can buy washing soap, mobile top ups, and other simple amenities. 5

6 Medical: band aids, painkillers, antiseptic gel, wipes etc. (there is a medical kit in the hut for more serious problems). The climate through the day is very warm and sometimes humid so light colored, loose clothing is preferable. For girls especially it is important to not be too exposed in the village short shorts and skimpy tops are ok for the tourist resorts but are not appropriate for the village. Girls will be required to wear sulus (sarong type fabric skirts) at most times in the village, but can wear shorts while building and swimming. In general, clothing should be lightweight, tough and casual. How do I get around? The village has a large truck that will transport us in and out of the village when needed. Once in the village, everything you need will be in short walking distance. Can I take photos of the children? Yes, you can take your camera to the project and take photos. Always ask permission when taking photos. Please refer to our Child Protection Policy for further information. How many hours / days will I be working? Volunteers usually work hours a week on the project. In addition you may need to spend some time planning. This is usually spread over 4 5 days, although the exact program may vary dependent on special events or the project you are on. Will I have time off? Yes, volunteers have the weekends off unless we are organizing a special event. This is your volunteer program so you may take time off during the week provided you first ask your Project Leader and give us time to plan around your absence. What are my working hours? We have put together a rough itinerary of a typical day in Fiji for all volunteer activities: 8:30 Breakfast 9:15-12:45 Project 1:00 Lunch 2:00-4:00 Project or cultural activity 4:00 Sports in the village (volleyball and/or rugby) or cultural activity 6:30/7 Dinner 8:00 Grog time! 6

7 In Fiji the village runs of Fiji time, which means these times are estimated! Everything is very laid back and the activities vary depending on what volunteers want to do and what we are able to do, weather dependant, tour guide dependent. What is grog? Grog time is a traditional cultural Fijian drink made from kava root. Every night, except for Sundays the village will gather in the hall to drink grog. Drinking grog can cause your mouth to feel a little numb, and if a lot is consumed you could feel a little bit groggy. The first night we will be welcomed into the village during a grog ceremony, in that instance it is required that you try it, but after that you can drink grog with your own discretion. How many people sleep in a room? Depending on the house and room you are in, there could be anywhere from 2-10 people in a room. 7

Preparation Getting Ready for your trip. Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.

Preparation Getting Ready for your trip Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. Gustave Flaubert 23 Preparation Getting ready for your Trip Passports & Visas You must