Nasivikoso Village Education Project

FIJI The Village Education Project ITINERARY

Day 01 - Tuesday
Depart the USA
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Fiji depart from Los Angeles. Typically, our carrier is Air Pacific - Fiji's national airline. The flight each week is non-stop to Nadi International Airport and is escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs Los Angeles in the evening and takes about 10 hours. During your flight take the time to get to know other students, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival in the South Pacific or relax with a movie and start to settle into the easy-going and friendly nature of the Fijians and their legendary hospitality.

Day 02 - Wednesday
In transit
Today is "lost" as you cross the international dateline, but don't worry too much...you will get it back on your way home!

Day 3 - Thursday
Bula Vinaka and Welcome to Fiji!
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by Rustic Pathways Fiji staff at Nadi Airport. Your flight lands early in the morning and you will start off your day with a tropical breakfast and orientation. After breakfast, you will stop at the beautiful Fijian beach and tropical waters of Natadola for a picnic lunch before gathering last minute supplies for your trip to the Highlands.

You will travel by truck or four wheel drive vehicle to the Nasouri Highland region. This area of Fiji has remote villages nestled in mountain valleys where locals live off the land and have strong ties to their traditional culture. The need for service in these remote parts is great, and villagers here will welcome you with big smiles and much appreciation. The journey normally takes about three hours.

Your first night will be spent at the Rustic Pathways Farm House, just down the road from Nasivikoso Village beside a picturesque river and surrounded by papaya tress, pineapples and vegetables growing on local farms. Take a swim in the river and start to soak in the warm hospitality of Fiji. You will receive an in-depth cultural orientation tonight and will begin to learn about the traditional way of life in the Highlands.

Day 4 - Friday
Nasivikoso and the Village Education Project
Wake up early this morning to the breathtaking beauty of the Highlands. After breakfast, you will sit down with one of the members of the Village School Committee, himself a retired teacher and great Fiji historian. Learn about the challenges that local children face in getting a good education and the village's efforts to build a school of it's own.

Then, it is time for you to meet the village that you have come so far to support in its quest to improve the education of its children. The first thing any visitor must do when they arrive at a Fijian village is to present the traditional root of the yagona plant to the village chief in what is called a sevusevu ceremony. You will share in this tradition and have the opportunity to sit with the village chief and elders who will honor you for your kind hearts and big efforts in helping them improve educational opportunities for their children.

After a village tour and introduction to our Base House in the village, The Village Bure, you will meet your host family. This village is like a second home for us in Fiji and we have deep ties and friendships with this community. You will stay in pairs or small groups you're your host family and will quickly feel like part of the family. You will have meals and activities with your group at our Village Bure, our Base in the village, which is in close proximity to your host home. The Village Bure offers some upgraded amenities to help you settle into village life and is a great place to spend time with the rest of your group and leaders.

In the afternoon, you will jump in to help work on our on-going effort to support the construction of a primary school in the village. When work has finished for the day, cool off with a swim in the river and join your group for dinner and activities at the Village Bure before heading to your host family for the night.

Day 5 - Saturday
Village Service and Waterfalls
After breakfast this morning, you will get involved in on-going construction efforts and work alongside villagers and new friends as we work to improve educational facilities here. You will take a break at lunch time for a short hike and refreshing swim to a spectacular waterfall near the village. Local children will be sure to join you for this fun-filled afternoon!

This evening the village will put on a traditional meek dance performance for you in appreciation for your service. Get ready to join the dancing and share in this special time with the village community.

Day 6 - Sunday
A Day of Celebration and Feasting
Sunday is a very ceremonial day in the Fijian culture. Fiji's native people are predominantly Christian and Sunday's are observed as a day of rest. Your host family will lend you some traditional Fijian clothing to wear and invite you to join them at church. You will find much of the village gathered together here - elders, parents, teenagers and young children alike - for a morning of singing and respectful thanks for the wonderful environment in which they live. It is impossible to not get caught up in the pure enthusiasm and open delight villagers show towards each other and their surroundings and the incredible singing that is part of the morning service.

After church, villager's always prepare a big Sunday lunch. Enjoy some traditional Fijian fare and some western favorites as a huge mid-day meal is prepared for you. Then, join with local children for a hike to the neighboring village and nearest existing school to get a sense of what the challenges are to getting a good education here. In the evening, you will prepare for your service in the village kindergarten tomorrow.

Day 7 - Monday
Kindergarten and Village Service
Today you will assist in the existing village kindergarten and join in the on-going construction efforts in the afternoon. You will lead arts and crafts projects, songs and games and support the efforts of the kindergarten teacher here who works with very few resources to teach the youngest members of the village. After the day's service is complete, swim in the river and share time with your host family. You will certainly begin to gain an understanding and appreciation for life in this special village.

Day 8 - Tuesday
School Service
Today, you will travel an elementary school in a neighboring village today leading activities focused on English language and arts. You will prepare lessons in advance with your group and take a real leadership role in the education activities today. Get ready for some great fun and service.

Tonight, you will share time with your group and village friends at the Village Bure for a final Fijian farewells ceremony marking your last night in the village. There will be lots of laughter and tears and you will be amazed how quickly you have grown attached to your new friends and family in Nasivikoso.

Day 9 - Wednesday
Return from the Highlands
After service work in the kindergarten and construction site this morning, you will say farewell to Nasivikoso. Every year, host families and students alike have a hard time saying goodbye as strong bonds seem to form easily with locals here. No wonder so many of our past students have returned year after year as close family friends.

You'll have dinner in a local restaurant and stay in the Nadi area for your final night, giving you a chance to reflect on what you were able to contribute in the Highlands and what you have taken away.

Day 10 - Thursday
Farewell Fiji
If you are flying back to the USA today, you will spend your final day in the town of Nadi, a main tourist center in Fiji, shopping for souvenirs and exploring. Or, if you want a chance to soak in some ocean air and island views before you go, you will have the chance for an optional island hopping trip or optional sky dive today followed by some souvenir shopping. After a final meal with your group, you'll travel to the airport and bid Fiji. You will be escorted to Los Angeles by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader.

For those students who are continuing to another Rustic Pathways program you will commence your next program this morning.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

You will be traveling to Fiji during the dry season, where the days are generally hot, with some humidity, but rain is not typical. The evenings can cool off significantly in the Highlands region and a heavy sweatshirt can be needed.
If you are connecting to other Rustic Pathways programs, please check each of their packing lists to make sure you bring any special items that might be needed.

Please pack lightly! You must be able to carry and load your own luggage. The baggage limit on Air Pacific is 50lbs, but please also be aware of the baggage restrictions for any domestic connections in the USA. You can find more details on Air Pacific's baggage allowances on their website at http://www.airpacific.com/Flying-With-Us/Baggage-Allowance.

Do not bring your favorite items with you. There is always a chance that you will get a bit dirty while working on your service projects and exploring the islands.

Be sure to wear your Rustic Pathways T-Shirt while you are travelling to Fiji!
Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag and will be useful throughout your program for day trips.
• Passport and Wallet
• Photocopy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Any and All Medications (Be sure to bring medications in your carry on just in case your luggage gets delayed in transit!)
• Extra t-shirt, change of underwear
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pen
• Good Book, Music
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Camera

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag, wheeled bag or large backpack is fine. You must be able to carry and load your own luggage.

Clothing:
• T-Shirts or collared short-sleeve shirts (5-7)
• Long-sleeve t-shirts (1)
• Long skirt (for females) that covers your knees (1-2)
• Shorts (1-3)
• Jeans or long pants (1)
• Sweatshirt or light jacket (1)
• Underwear (8)
• Socks (2-4)
• Sneakers - Close-toed shoes are needed for construction-based service work
• Sandals and/or flip flops - A pair of Chacos or Tevas (or similar) are strongly recommended as they are great for local hikes where you often cross small rivers. Flip-flops are most commonly worn around the village, as you must take your shoes off when entering a home.
• Swim suit (1-2)
• Cap or sun hat
• Light weight raincoat, poncho or umbrella

Toiletries: Biodegradable soap and toiletries are required
• Biodegradable soap
• Biodegradable shampoo
• Toothbrush
• Biodegradable toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Waterless hand sanitizer
• Personal first aid kit recommended with band-aids, antibiotic ointment
• Any medications – Be sure you have prescription medications in your carry-on.
• Contact lens and fluid and spare pair of glasses
• Any other personal items as necessary

Other Required Items:
• Towel (1-2 – large quick dry travel towels are great)
• Flashlight or headlamp (a must!) and spare batteries
• Reusable water bottle (also a must!)
• Sleeping bag - Students need a blanket or sleeping bag. Most prefer a light weight sleeping bag or to have a sleeping bag liner and blanket
• Work gloves (for use on service projects)

Optional Items:
• Pictures of family and friends to share with you new friends in Fiji
• Musical instrument – the Fijians love to sit around at night and play guitar
• Energy bars, vitamins and other snacks
• Books, playing cards, games

PLEASE NOTE:
Appropriate Dress: Due to cultural rules in Fijian villages, it is customary for females to have their shoulders and knees covered at all times. While you are outside of the village you will be able to wear tank tops and shorts, but for the majority of the program female students will need to wear t-shirts or other sleeved shirts. Women must also wear sulus (sarongs) or a long skirt when in villages and at traditional ceremonies. We will provide the students with a sulu on their arrival, and students typically wear light shorts under their sulus. You may wear a long skirt that covers your knees instead of a sulu. If you have a sarong already at home you may want to bring it along. Please pack with this in mind!

Electricity: There is no electricity in the village. Please make sure you bring a good flashlight (head lights work especially well). Make sure you bring your camera batteries fully charged, and a spare one if you have one, as it may not be possible to recharge these items during your program.
Laundry: You will have the opportunity to wash laundry by hand in the village and your host family will help you to do this if you wish.

Gifts for Host Families:
In Fiji, it is customary for visitors to present a gift to any village or home they visit. We ask that you bring 3-4 small gifts for host families and friends in the village. We ask that you follow the suggested items listed below, which we have developed in conjunction with villagers based on needs they have identified. We suggest bringing three to five items for your host family, keeping in mind that these gifts are shared with all ages. Gifts can be gently used items that you have at home.

Suggested Gifts for Host Families
• T-shirts (short or long sleeve)
• Sweatshirts or jackets
• Raincoats or umbrellas
• Towels
• Flashlights – wind-up flashlights that do not require batteries are best
• Sneakers, boots and flip-flops (and socks) for all ages
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Button-down shirts for children (they wear these to church)
• School supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens and backpacks)
Please keep in mind that small plastic toys and other common American gift items not included here are not as useful to villagers. We encourage you to bring warm clothes, backpacks and other practical items.
You may, in turn, receive a small gift from your Fijian family to help you remember your time in Fiji, so remember to save a little room in your packs for this on the way home!

Donations for the School and Village:
Many students ask about bringing donations with them and they are always appreciated! If you would like to bring donations, we ask that you follow the list below of suggested items, which has been developed with the local community and schools. We suggest bringing 3-5 items if you wish and encourage you to be mindful of airline baggage allowances.

1 – Books for the Nasivikoso School Library
Books appropriate for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade students are most needed

We are making a library for the new school in Nasivikoso. We encourage all students to bring a couple of books with them if they are able to contribute to this effort.

2 - Materials for Schools

• Construction paper
• Paint and paint brushes
• Glue (sticks or bottles)
• Crayon
• Scissors for kids
• Pencils and pencil sharpeners
• Phonics Cards & Phonics Activity Books

3 – First Aid Supplies for the Village Health Dispensary

• Over-the-counter pain relievers including Children's Tylenol
• Band aids, gauze and first aid tape
• Anti-biotic ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ace bandages
• Thermometers
• Medical gloves

Please note that It is very costly to ship donations to Fiji after you have traveled (and we don't encourage it), so we strongly recommend you bring any items you might like to contribute with you when you come.

 

Frequently Asked Questions
The Village Education Project
The Fiji Islands

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will spend the majority of this program with host families in a small village in the mountains of Fiji’s main island. Two to three students stay with each family. Accommodations are basic. Homes are typically made of concrete or wood and tin and families provide a bed or a mattress on the floor for you. There are flush toilets located outside of host family homes. There is no electricity and a mix of lanterns and generator power light the way at night.

Students will eat all of their meals together as a group at our Base in the village, known as the Village Bure. This Base is the focal point for group activities and you will find yourself playing games with village kids, spending time with villagers and sharing lots of laughs as a group here. 

The first night of the program is spent at our Farm House about a 20 minute walk from the village in traditional style housing with mattresses on the floor. The final night is spent at a hotel in the Nadi area with simple dorm-style accommodations and shared facilities.

2 - Will the students be drinking bottled water? 
Students will drink filtered water on this program. The water is run through special filters by our staff and it is available for students at all times at the Village Bure and Farm House. While in Nadi at the end of the program, the tap water is safe to drink.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Students will eat a combination of local Fijian dishes and more western-style dishes prepared by cooks at the Village Bure Base House. Breakfasts typically include cold cereal or oatmeal, freshly baked buns and scones, and fruits. Lunches and dinners range from traditional Fijian feasts of cassava and dalo (root crops similar to potatoes), chicken and fish, to noodles and pastas, curries and stir-fry. Peanut butter and jelly are often found as are delicious Fijian pancakes, roti bread and local fruits. We can easily cater for vegetarians.

4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
On average, our programs in Fiji are 70% female and 30% male.

5 - How does this program connect to other programs?
All programs in Fiji connect easily together. On the final morning of each program, students will connect with the staff, arriving students and other connecting participants in the Nadi area for their next program.  Students can also easily connect this program with our programs in Australia and/or New Zealand. Students interested in combining programs in Fiji with a program in Australia or New Zealand should do the Fiji program first if possible.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
 A flight leader will accompany students on the group flight to Fiji from Los Angeles. Our program staff will greet students when they arrive at the Nadi Airport in Fiji. Students connecting to this program from Australia or New Zealand will not be escorted on their connecting flights between countries, but will be chaperoned for check-in and then met by our staff in Fiji on arrival.

7 - How long is the flight to this country?
Fiji is 10 hours by air from Los Angeles. Flights from Australia and New Zealand are about 4 hours.

8 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
A tourist visa will be issued on arrival in Fiji for US citizens. No prior arrangements are required for US Citizens.

9 - What immunizations do we need for this trip?
Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician regarding immunizations before you travel. You can also find more information on the websites of the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) or World Health Organization (www.who.int).

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
We recommend students bring $100 - $200USD in spending money to cover any souvenirs, snacks, phone calls and internet they may wish to purchase. There are very few opportunities to purchase snacks or souvenirs on this program until the final day when the group is in the main tourist center of Nadi.

Students will also have the option to go Island Hopping or Sky Diving  on the final day of this program at an additional cost. Sky diving ranges from $250-$500USD and parental permission is required. Island Hopping costs about $60USD and involves a half day boat trip to visit several small islands off the coast.  Students who may wish to participate in one of these optional activities should bring additional spending money with them to cover these activities.