Kit List Get Prepared for Fiji
Your Fiji Kit List As you set off for the Fiji Islands and beyond, it is important to be confident that you are well prepared for this very special journey that lies ahead! This Kit List has been put together as a guide to help you decide what to pack, based on our extensive experiences of life in Fiji. Here are a few additional tips Don't take valuables or nice clothing Village life can be harsh on your clothing. take items that you're happy to get ruined. We would also advise to take as little valuables items with you as possible. Leave behind your hair straighteners, jewellery etc Packing For international flights you are usually limited to one x 22kg bag plus a small bag for the plane. Please be sure to consult the airline guidelines on the exact weight allowance as theis can vary. A good tip is to roll all your clothes before packing them to save on space. Be ruthless! If you can t fit everything in to one large backpack (75 litres) you ve got too much! Whatever the duration of your project (or subsequent travels) we would advise you to take the same amount of clothing - Pack just for 10 days. You can wash weekly within the villages and you'll end up wearing the same clothes again and again both on project and round the world travelling. e Be Fijian! You can buy Fijian clothes cheaply during your briefing and these are perfect for everyday life. Women can wear Fijian dresses for school and men a formal 'Pocket Sulu' (similar to a kilt). In a Fijian village a sulu (sarong) and a t-shirt is pretty standard (for both men and women) for the vast majority your spare time in Fijian villages! Photocopying important documents To process your work permit in Fiji, it is very important that bring with you A copy of your insurance details A photocopy of your flight itinerary A photocopy of your passport photo page Finally Please make sure you bring a good first aid kit (detailed in this pack) and also please take note of the dress code for Fijian villages. For money matters, as mentioned in other sections of the pack, it is best just to bring a debit card and withdraw money in Fiji - Pre-paid charge cards, travellers cheques etc are not advised. Above all though, don't forget your passport! If you have any questions about the items stated on the next few pages please do not hesitate to contact the Think Pacific team! Happy Packing!!
Dress Code Our volunteers must dress appropriately and respect conservative Fijian values during the project phase. Women in particular must be sensitive in how they dress Shoulders should be covered, shorts must go to the knee and you cannot wear vest tops or trousers We also ask volunteers not to wear any revealing clothing in the villages such as low-cut or seethrough tops. Revealing clothing results in a sad reaction; the local people being insulted, uncomfortable and embarrassed. For this reason we set a strict dress code. We may remove you from the project if you refuse to adhere to this. Men should dress smartly for school, wearing a Fijian pocket Sulu and Fijian 'Bula Shirts', which you can purchase in Fiji during your briefing phase. We cannot stress this dress code enough. Dressing modestly is such an important aspect of traditional village life. it is an absolute privilege to be fully immersed and become a member of the communities of the the villages, schools and traditional areas we visit. Our respect for Fijian culture, values and local people is what makes being a Think Pacific volunteer such a unique experience.
Clothing Advice for Men We advise all... Bought in Fiji 2x Pocket Sulu 1x Bula Shirt 1x Sulu Brought from Home 6x T shirts + TP T Shirt 3x Shorts 3x Shirts (short sleeve) TIPS - Lightweight, easily washed and loose fitting clothes - Pack a rugby shirt, Fijians go mad for any rugby clothing.
Clothing Advice for Women At all times in the Fijian villages and schools female volunteers are NOT ADVISED to wear Vest Trousers or three quater length trousers See-through or low cut tops Short-length shorts (shorts must be to the knee) Bought in Fiji x1 Fijian Dress 1x Sarong/Sulu Brought from Home 6x T shirts + TP T Shirt 3x Long Shorts 3x Shirts/Blouses 3x Maxi Dresses 1x Leggings and Knee length Shorts TIPS - In addition, it can be good to have a pair of shorter length shorts to (or some light pyjamas) and of course, wear under your sarong or for bed time normal beachwear, something nicer for the resorts and briefing location
Clothing Checklist Buying clothes in Fiji (All prices in Fijian Dollars) You have the opportunity to buy some traditional Fijian clothes during your briefing. Please budget Women Men Fijian Dress - $45 Sulu - $15 Formal sulu - $40 Bula Shirt - $30 All other items to be bought before departure Fleece/Hoodie and Jogging bottoms (May-August -Cool Season) Rain Jacket Swimming Shorts/Bikini Underwear (10 pairs) x2 Flip Flops x2 Good Grip Trainers Rugby or Football boots (optional) TIPS - Reef shoes can be a great help, rain jacket should be light but good quality water-proof.
Important Items All items to be bought before departure First Aid Kit (Please see Next Page) Mosquito Net Backpack or large holdall Small backpack (for day to day use) Sheet or Sleeping bag liner Towels Head Torch Padlock Watch Water Bottle Camera Stuff sacks - helps organise your luggage Surge Protector Notebook and Pen Lunch Box Visa Documents - Copy of Passport and Flight itinerary Insurance Details TIPS - Have all of the above pre-departure
Essential First Aid Kit All items to be bought before departure First Aid Kit Bag Box of Plaster (band aid) x1 Adhesive Tape x3 Rolls Antiseptic cream x1 Antibacterial Hand Wash x1 Cold/Flu medicine x1 Box Painkillers x1 Antihistamine Tablets x2 Sting relief cream/spray x1 Anti-diarohoeal tablets x1 box Anti-constipation x1 box Oral re-hydration salts (ORS) x40 sachets Water Purification x1 box Multi-vitamins tablets x1 box TIPS - Vicks/Tea Tree Oil
Personal Care Checklist All items to be bought before departure Wash Bag Sun Cream Shower Gel/Soap/deodorant Toothbrush and Toothpaste Razors and Shaving Gel Tampons/Sanitory Towels Small Mirror Toilet Roll Contact lenses/spare glasses Mosquito Repellent (DEET) Tweezers TIPS - Headlice Shampoo, Ear plugs Past volunteers have also previously recommended taking Scissors, safety pins, baby wipes and cotton wool
Gifts for your Fijian Family or School Children We occasionally get feedback that volunteers wish they had taken small gifts and items with them to the village. You are not expected to bring anything and the families and kids certainly won't expect any gifts from you. However, just in case you wanted to bring any items, we thought we would include some recommendations Gifts for Your Family Packet of Biscuits Flavoured Tea Sports Kit Playing Cards Sweets Flags Novel Gifts from your home country i.e union jack tea towel Gifts for the School Children Balloons Bubbles Wristbands Face-paint Pencils Crayons Bouncy Balls Shiny Stickers TIPS - Bring Photos! Our biggest tip would be to take a small pack of printed photos or a little travel photo album with you. Family is so important to a Fijians and they will be so interested in your family and your life back home. The Fijians will be fascinated and these are great conversation topics. It's also a good idea to bring a photo just of yourself too, as the families often ask for one at the end and they'll keep it forever. As we said at the start though, gifts are not essential by any means, but if you do wish to take anything we hope this has provided a little help.