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Brilliant 4.72rating (254)

Special Needs School Assistance

location
4 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Assist local staff in caring for children and adults with special needs, providing one to one care
  • Care for students aged 5-20, who have disabilities such as learning disabilities, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments
  • Bring along a caring nature, installing confidence in the children

Highlights

  • Assist local staff in caring for children and adults with special needs, providing one to one care
  • Care for students aged 5-20, who have disabilities such as learning disabilities, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments
  • Bring along a caring nature, installing confidence in the children
  • Interact with the local staff and children, increasing their cultural awareness
  • Teach and play through games, songs, art, sport, music, singing and dancing

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    50+

    About the program

    Teach vocational skills, computer training, speech therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, singing, dancing, arts & crafts, physical education in special needs schools.

    PLEASE NOTE: Program closed in January 2026


    We work with various special needs schools in Lautoka and Nadi. The schools cater for children and young adults from 5-20 years with learning disabilities, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments. The schools are well managed and run by caring staff ...

    About the program

    PLEASE NOTE: Program closed in January 2026


    We work with various special needs schools in Lautoka and Nadi. The schools cater for children and young adults from 5-20 years with learning disabilities, hearing, physical and intellectual impairments. The schools are well managed and run by caring staff who can always use a helping hand. The kids are not used to seeing foreigners and so the inter-cultural learning is a significant benefit for all parties.

    Volunteers provide vital one to one care, listening to students read, assistance them with there work, helping with art and craft work, helping with administration duties, assisting in the canteen and various other valuable tasks in and around the school grounds.

    Teach vocational skills, computer training, speech therapy, physiotherapy, music therapy, singing, dancing, arts & crafts, physical education.

    * Please be aware, this project only runs in school term times. The dates for 2025 are as follows:

    Term 1

    Start: 27 January

    End: 02 May

    Break: 05 May - 16 May (2 weeks)

     

    Term 2

    Start: 19 May

    End: 22 August

    Break: 25 August - 05 September (2 weeks)

     

    Term 3

    Start: 08 September

    End: 05 December

    Break: 08 December - 23 January 2026 (7 weeks)


    Location
    Nadi is the main tourist hub with lots of back-packers places and night life. It’s also well known for for Denerau Marina where many large 5 star resorts are and western style shopping. Denerau is the gateway to the Fiji islands, which is the most popular choice for most holiday goers’ to Fiji. We’ll likely take you here and show you around as part of the orientation or if you’re heading out to the remote island teaching placement.

    Lautoka, located 20 min north of Nadi, is a lovely and safe working class harbour city with many areas to explore (eg. hiking trails, mud pools etc). You will be spending time in the working class areas where the genuine needs exist.

    Project Tasks
    • Provide one on one care, feed, supervise and interact with the children and adults
    • Play fun activites, like games, art classes, English teaching, speech therapy and more
    • Assist with general duties like admin, cleaning and even computer training! 

    Typical day

    7-8am – Breakfast and leave for volunteer project
    Break and lunch
    2-5pm – volunteering ends and then back to accommodation (you will volunteer for 4-6 hours each day)
    6-8pm – dinner

    Typical day

    7-8am – Breakfast and leave for volunteer project
    Break and lunch
    2-5pm – volunteering ends and then back to accommodation (you will volunteer for 4-6 hours each day)
    6-8pm – dinner


    Free-time activities

    Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.

    Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being ...

    Free-time activities

    Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.

    Volunteers based in Nadi & Lautoka can choose from a wide variety of options with Nadi being the main tourist hub for Fiji and the Fijian Islands.

    Volunteers based in the Coral Coast can spend the weekends exploring Suva, visiting Colo-I-Suva or Mosquito Island and searching the craft and produce markets in Suva’s town centre. From Pacific Harbour you can organize activities, such as kayaking, white-water rafting, shark feeding, jet ski tours, zip lining and diving.

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Education Requirements

    Qualification for special needs care/ related field at University level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Required Documents

    Passport page, Vaccination Card 30 days prior to the project start date and A Volunteer Visa is required for over 3 weeks duration

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    Return airport pickup/drop off
    Accommodation  (Home Stays – Sharing with other volunteers)
    2 meals p/day (Breakfast & Dinner)
    Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea daily
    Full day orientation & training + cultural sightseeing
    In country 24/7 coordination & emergency assistance
    Fundraising support
    University course credits (where applicable)
    Certificate of Completion    

    Airport Pickup at Nadi International Airport

    For home stay placements, arrival and departure airport transfers are included in the cost of your volunteer program for a pick-up from Nadi to the Nadi / Lautoka areas. 

    Transportation to/from your home stay to the placement each day is generally your responsibility, however your home stay family will assist you and ensure you receive local rates for any costs involved. We’ll place you as close as possible to the placement to limit daily travel times. Expect between 5-50 min each way for a small local transport fee.

    If arriving on the Saturday, you’ll need to book an extra nights accommodation in advance for an extra cost p/night, which includes meals. 

    Accommodation

    Enjoy living like a Fiji local. You’ll have your own single or twin share room within private, clean and safe western style homes. You will have a place to store your personal belongings, a private bathroom and toilet (where possible – not all placements include this), a fan and single mattress or double/queen if sharing with your partner. Some home stays have self contained flats separate from the main residence. You can choose this option if desired. Internet is usually not included with most volunteers purchasing a temporary 3G plan for their own device.


    Private Room Upgrade: please contact us directly for options and pricing

    *Please note: Upgrade prices can change, so please check the price with us first

    Food & Beverages

    Meals are included and served at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation):

    Breakfast – cereal, bread, butter etc, tea, coffee, milo. Volunteers can make their own eggs should they wish.
    Lunch – Volunteers to prepare their own sandwich. Tuna, cold meat, salad, eggs. Some prefer to take left over dinner from the night before for lunch.
    Dinner – Cooked meal (eg. stews, soups, curries, fish, roast vegetables, taro, sweet potato, bread, rice etc.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Fiji provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Fiji you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Fiji. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.


    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $572 per week 4 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
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    School Construction

    Location

    Oceania > Melanesia > Fiji > Nadi

    Meet your project coordinator

    Lauren
    254
    reviews
    4.72
    Brilliant
    1989
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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