Gap for Good is a hands-on, community service program in rural areas of Thailand, Costa Rica, Laos and Fiji that gives exceptional young leaders a chance to affect positive change. Our program focuses on cultural immersion and connection. Offered at a lower cost than our Scheduled Gap Year Programs and Custom Gap Year Experiences, Gap for Good students operate largely on their own, and tap into Rustic Pathways support network in each country as needed. We set each student up with home stay or base house accommodation, meals, and their community internship placement. Students commit to at least two weeks of service and can stay for up to six months, depending on the project. Each student is expected to work at least four to six hours a day, excluding local holidays.

Recent projects have included teaching English and life skills to orphans at our Hill Tribe Orphanage on the Thai-Burma border, teaching to school children near Luang Prabang in Laos, working with Buddhist monks in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We will be continuing these projects in the coming year.

Upcoming projects include, turtle conservation in Costa Rica, teaching English in the Remote Highlands of Fiji, working in a hospital in Fiji, and working with Tibetan refugees in India.

The ideal Gap for Good candidate has previous community service experience, perhaps in the area of teaching or tutoring. They are a natural leader-- a responsible and upstanding member of their home and school community. Candidates will be required to have telephone and/or in person interviews and present relevant recommendations from community leaders and previous teachers that attest to their maturity.

Watch this site for an ever-changing list of Gap for Good opportunities. These prices do not include International Airfare, Medical Insurance (required for traveling with Rustic Pathways,) Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, and Optional Activities.

Please feel free to contact the Gap Year Guru, Marc Bartholemew at marc@rusticpathways.com for more information about any of the above opportunities.

Gap for Good
Tutor - The Fiji Islands

Project Dates:
October 11 - November 23
March 28 - April 26
There is a minimum 15-day stay for this program.  We would like to have gap students depart the USA on the Saturday and return on the Sunday only. These dates are based an anticipated 2009 school calendar, but there may be some slight modifications once the 2009 schedule is available.

Cost: $600 for 15-day placement, $300 for additional weeks.

The Project: Schools in the Fiji Islands often lack resources we take for granted in the US and teachers and administrators struggle to provide the best education possible for their students. A former British Colony, the national language in Fiji is English -- but most children speak native Fijian or Hindu at home and some struggle to learn English as well as their subjects in school. The goal of this Gap for Good placement is to support students in English, reading and other subjects and to help prepare them for their future. Volunteer at a local primary or secondary school to provide one-on-one tutoring in English, reading or other subjects. Work with classrooms to strengthen English conversation skills. Lead a computer training course for students, teachers or a youth club to build skills and open doors for future careers. Specific assignments will be based on the length of the Gap for Good placement, needs in the community and the skills and experience of the Gap student.

Accommodation: Live at the Rustic Pathways Fiji Eco-Lodge in Momi Bay and travel each day to your project sites in the surrounding communities. Transportation to and from projects will be provided.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner will be prepared Monday – Friday at the Eco-Lodge. Students are responsible for their own lunches and weekend meals.

Support: It is highly recommended that students have prior tutoring experience. There are lots of books and guides out there on tutoring that provide helpful ideas for being effective as a volunteer and we recommend you do some research before you come. Curriculum guides and ideas as well as a basic training will be provided when you arrive. Angela Figallo will be in Fiji during the Fall 2008 G4G sessions and a Western staff TBD will be in country to support students for the Spring 2009 session.

Weekend Excursions: There are lots of great activities and sights to see in Fiji and the weekend is a great time to do it! While not included in the G4G cost, click here for some suggestions and approximate costs to help with your planning.  (Forthcoming)