I will be teaching children aged between 3 and 13 years old at the Ratu Meli Memorial School on the Yasawa Islands. My primary aim is to improve the level of English but I will also assist with Maths, Sports and the Arts.
Typical Day
Your days normally start very early with breakfast, before travelling to work by boat. At the school most of your morning will be spent teaching and organising educational games/activities for the children. English is taught in schools but grammar and reading is usually particularly poor and children are rarely encouraged to speak together in English. Your most important role is providing face-to-face contact with children that need positive role models and education support (feeding, teaching, interacting with them daily), whilst simultaneously providing them with an exciting cultural interaction.
Usually school starts with an assembly, a great way to start the day. You will then meet with your fellow teachers to discuss the day’s activities. The rest of the day will be spent teaching, assisting teachers with daily goals, marking homework, playing games, and providing one on one support for students. Students benefit from this valuable interaction at an early age with volunteers fluent in English. One of your primary aims should be to improve the level of English in your classes. You will also assist with mathematics, sports and arts and crafts. You will also have the opportunity to learn the local language from the kids in your class. After school finishes in the afternoon volunteers may help with sports and extra-curricular activities. In the evenings, back on base, there will be time to lesson plan and prepare for the following day.
(Taken from www.gvi.co.uk)
I have arranged my three-month trip through the gap-year company, Global Vision International and my travel insurance with Campbell Irvine. I have also sorted out my CRB check, all my flights through Qantas Holidays with help from Bath Travel. My accommodation for two nights is also all paid for at Aquarius Fiji in Nadi, booked through Awesome Adventures.
So I am flying at 3pm on January 10th from London Heathrow to Los Angeles. I then leave L.A at 9.30pm their time and arrive in Nadi at 5.15am.. two days later!! Yes, I arrive on January 12th in Fiji as it is a whole day ahead. Mind boggling. I will be beyond jet lagged. Hence, the two days rest when I arrive as the program does not start until the 14th.I shall then be travelling to New Zealand to see a friend I knew in Nepal, of whom I haven't seen for five years. I fly back to London on April 19th via Sydney, Australia. I arrive back in England on April 20th at the horrideous time of 6.25am. Cannot wait. I am setting off on the above trip alone but I know I will meet loads of lovely people out there.
Obviously this adventure is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but it does come with a hefty price tag..
GVI fee: £2095
CRB: £5
Insurance: £111
Flights: £1611.73 (including New Zealand)
Two nights accommodation: FJD 132 (around £26)
Plus any extra spending money, so in total over £4000!
I'm not doing too badly with fundraising, having raised around half the money through my two summer jobs and selling homemade jam for £2 a jar. I have made £92.71 from selling the jam to the ladies at a Weldmar outlet in Weymouth where I volunteered every Wednesday and also at Pekoes Cafe in Weymouth where I worked during the summer. I now have a part time job at Debenhams which will help to raise the rest of the money.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support, your donations and for buying my jam! :)
Watch this space...
Go to the GVI website: www.gvi.co.uk to find out more about various volunteering opportunities.
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