Fiji
March 6–20, 2010
Experience the Fijian islands and help make the world a better place! This Global Village team needs 11 adventurous and dedicated members from a variety of backgrounds to help build in March 2010. No previous construction experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn, serve and have fun!
About Fiji
The Fiji archipelago includes 332 islands—approximately 110 of them inhabited. The island's population consists of almost 50 percent ethnic Fijian and 46 percent Indian.
Fiji's mountainous terrain and climate make it conducive for producing sugar, bananas and coconuts for export. Land zoning laws make it illegal for non-ethnic Fijians to own agricultural lands. As a result, almost 70 percent of the population—Indians and impoverished Fijians—rely on subsistence agriculture for survival.
HFH Fiji has been in operation since 1992 on Fiji's major island of Veti Levu. HFH Fiji houses are constructed with concrete block or timber, replacing the traditional bamboo, woven mat and dirt floor homes that do not withstand the rainy season. Local affiliates spend much of their time on land acquisition and advocacy issues and are making a difference in the community.
Standard itinerary
Day 1, typically Saturday: Depart for Fiji.
Day 2, Sunday: Travel day.
Day 3, Monday: Arrive in Suva; travel to project site; welcome and orientation with local staff member; welcome dinner.
Days 4–8, Tuesday–Saturday (typical work day): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner; time for team activities.
Day 9, Sunday: Free day: activity in local community.
Day 10–13, Monday–Thursday (Work day): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner at house; time for team activities; farewell with community.
Day 14, Friday: Travel to Suva; free time; final team dinner.
Day 15, Saturday: Departure day.
Note: Special events throughout the week include cultural experiences with affiliate staff, such as market tours and visits to museums, church, historical sites, etc.
Accommodations
Global Village teams to Fiji can expect to stay at a modest hotel or retreat center, depending on the location. Rooms will be at least double-occupancy in a hotel. Some teams may stay in a shared space with a shared bath.
Breakfast is usually provided at the hotel or retreat center, and lunch is usually provided by the affiliate and taken on the work site. Dinner is taken at various restaurants or provided by the hotel or retreat center.
Trip cost
$1,870.00
Trip cost includes: donation to the Habitat host program and HFHI; meals; accommodations; transport (excluding trip participant air fare); medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance; some local cultural activities and team coordination and orientation materials. The team leader’s trip cost and estimated air fare may be included in the trip budget. The trip cost does not include trip participant air fare, R&R activities or visa and exit fees (not applicable for all destinations).
Team Leader
Gabriela Rife worked in construction with Habitat for Humanity for almost nine years. She currently works as a case manager for a refugee resettlement agency. She has built in Romania, South Africa and Thailand and has led trips to Portugal and Mongolia.
For more information about this GV trip to Fiji, contact Gabriela via e-mail at chfhgabriela@hotmail.com.