Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

• Work with UNESCO & the Wildlife Conservation Society to create a UNESCO Seascape multi-use reserve.
• Become a PADI qualified Diver
• Learn from, and work alongside qualified Marine Scientists
• Perfect dive surveying techniques such as line points, quadrats & transects
• Learn to identify some of the most amazing tropical marine life.
• Swim with turtles and dolphins and if you're lucky withness a humpback whale playing with her calf
• Live like the locals in traditional bures - mud style huts
• Swim, snorkel and sunbath at some truely amazing and pristine South Pacific beaches
• Enjoy the slower pace of life and relax on "Fiji time"
• Find yourself welcomed to the local village with the traditional ‘sevu sevu’ ceremony conducted by the local ‘ratu’ or chief.
• Spend time with the local community every week where you'll participate on a culture exchange program which may involve going to church with them or playing the odd game of rugby

What will I achieve?

Create a UNESCO Seascape multi-use reserve - Greenforce was invited into Fiji by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Our aim is to protecting the coral reef and the inhabitants. The local communities need help in understanding the importance of protecting the marine environment, both for the sustainability of their fishing communities and the preservation of species.

Learn to dive/improve your skills - For the first two weeks, you will complete your dive training, working towards the Advanced Open Water qualification as well as gaining more knowledge in Emergency First Response. Monday to Friday you will then participate in around two daily dives to survey the coral reef. On Saturday, you are free to conduct recreational dives and any science dives missed through the week can be made up here.

Undergo scientific research training - such as fish and plant identification. In Fiji there is a huge array of marine life, from the smallest shrimp to massive manta rays, reef sharks and turtles. You will be able to learn all the names and appreciate the beauty of the underwater world.

Help out at the local village - Sunday is no dive day and you get to spend time with the children and locals. Sometimes the locals have activities planned such as going to church, rugby or cooking lessons. Most volunteers find the time spent in the village the most rewarding of all.

Have fun - Saturday evening, there is usually a social event such as a party or special meal.

Where will I live?

You will stay in traditional grass bures, just like the locals. Although basic, they are comfortable and a great cultural experience. The big open communal bure with a dining area is where you will have your science lectures too.

The shower is a bucket shower where users scoop water and pour it over their heads. This experience is like no other as you can shower under the moonlight or fresh morning sky. However, some volunteers decide the ‘bucket shower’ is not for them, so invest in a solar shower to bring with them.

Food and drink

The diet is expedition rations based on local produce and designed to support strenuous activities on a daily basis. The food is mainly high in carbohydrates and rich in vegetables. We supply sufficient fish and meat with eggs as well to meet protein requirements. Just imagine how fresh the fish is - caught that day! Vegetarian and vegans are easily catered for. You will take it in turns to cook, so it is up to you to use your imagination!

Essentials

Electricity is available for a few hours in the evening when the generator is on. Volunteers can use this time to recharge electronic equipment such as iPods and cameras. However, as the voltage can fluctuate, it is always best to use a voltage stabiliser on sensitive electronic equipment such as a laptop.

The camp does have intermittent mobile reception so telephone calls can be made. There is no Internet on camp for volunteer use. There will be many opportunities for communication when you are in Suva and Nadi.

Money

The currency is Fijian Dollars. The best way to carry your money is to split it between separate payment methods, e.g. cash, card and traveller’s cheques. Never carry a lot of cash as you can always get more out at a cash point or exchange money in all the major banks and hotels and large towns.

Most credit cards are accepted in Fiji. However, once on camp there is nowhere to use credit cards.

In camp, there is not much to spend money on so we recommend taking around £200 for 10 weeks. There are opportunities to buy souvenirs en route to camp and on your way home.

Your money will be spent covering your ground costs e.g. food and accommodation. Any money left over will be put back into Greenforce Projects.

Country facts

• 322 islands (106 inhabited), many mountainous, with tropical forests and large fertile areas. Viti Levu, the largest island, has over half the total land area.

• Population/Area - 772,891/7,056 sq. mi.

• 'Vinaka' is Fijian for 'thank you' (pronounced 'vinahka’). Or you can say 'vinaka vaka-levu' which means 'Thank you very much'.

• Good morning in Fijian is ' ni sa yadra ' (nee-sah-yahn-dra). Or simply 'yadra'.

• The formal way is to say goodbye or goodnight is 'ni sa moce' (pronounced 'nee-sah-moh-thay') though it is mostly said as just 'moce'.

Did you know?

‘Bula’ is heard everywhere in Fiji ! It is universally used to say hello, or welcome, and is even exclaimed if you sneeze ! It means 'life' and wishes good health and fortune to the recipient.

What's included?

• A Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in central London.
• Being met at the airport by a Greenforce staff member then dropped back on the Tuesday weeks 6, 8 and 10.
• Welcome and Safety briefing
• All meals and accommodation during the 10 weeks.
• The bulky and expensive parts of your dive kit (provided on arrival). Please supply the following: a wet suit (£90/$120), mask (£20/$35) fins (£20/$35). Also a dive knife, weight belt (not weights!) and basic waterproof watch (Total around £40-$70). Prices are indication only.

Points to note:

• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a Welcome e-mail with access to your personal page.
• Our Flight Centre will also call to discuss your flight options.
• A staff member is in Fiji all year round

Itinerary

This is a sample day’s itinerary only, based upon previous expeditions, and may therefore change.

6:30am Awake to the beach sunrise and breakfast cooked by some of you.

7:45am Time for the first dive of the day. At the beginning, we will focus on dive training up to advanced open water for those who need it. Once trained, these dives involve learning to identify all the fascinating marine life and eventually surveying the coral reef. Have those slates ready, and name your fish! If you’re lucky, a turtle may swim by to take a look!

9:45am Time to grab a quick snack, change your tank and then back on the boat for another dive! Short boat rides mean lots of dive time! Once your identification skills are fine tuned, staff will show you how carry out marine surveys and you can collect valuable reef data.

12:30pm Lunch time. Some days this will be bread freshly baked by you and your fellow volunteers - you can even cook homemade pizza!

After lunch, relax on the beach, play some games, take an afternoon nap in a hammock, or top up that tan on the decking!

2pm Class time. At the beginning, this will be for dive training; once an advanced diver level is reached there will be a full marine science programme so get those identification books ready!

5pm Catch up on some study, write up your reef survey on the decking, walk along Two Mile Beach or go out for a snorkel.

6pm Time for dinner - practise those culinary skills!

7pm Quiz night, poker night, childish games night or just relax and unwind…..

And if you have any energy left before bed, there’s always stargazing!

(Some days, more dives are possible - especially once everyone is trained up to survey!)

Maps

Gallery: Fiji Photos