Why Choose Think Pacific?
The most unique aspect to Think Pacific is that we solely operate in Fiji and deliver projects nationally, across all provinces of Fiji’s 330 islands. We don’t spread ourselves thinly across numerous countries, we focus on high-quality projects crafted through close partnerships. We focus upon advocacy, training and empowering Fijian youths to deliver aims within their own communities. directed by The Fijian Ministry of Youth and Sports, The Fijian Ministry of Health and The National Employment Centre Fiji.
Every team visits a highlighted location and supports a different village setting and youth group. This model allows our charity to have a wider and more sustainable impact. Rather than focusing upon just one village in Fiji, this model means we can collaborate with, learn from and help to inspire thousands of young adults annually, providing wide spread messages of education, sport, health, employability and well-being. We ensure the delivery of the Governments’ aims and continuity of programmes rest in the hands of ambitious local people. It is a respectful and locally empowering method, which has been handcrafted by our charity and The Fijian Government for over a decade to achieve core national aims and foster local achievement.
This also creates a phenomenal experience for those who join a team. You are often the first ever team of international students that your community has hosted. This brings a unique buzz of excitement – it develops your personal connection to the village, a unique learning environment, a real and honest cultural insight and life-long memories for everyone.
See our Bespoke Approach to International Projects
If you’re thinking about experiencing rural Fiji, then we’re the specialist organisation for you. As an organisation, Fiji is all we know and love. It’s the only country we operate in. We’ve been engaging young people from across the world in this breathtaking country for almost a decade. Every member of our staff team has extensive experience of living and working in Fiji. We have a team of over 114 staff annually facilitating our projects in Fiji, including our experienced management team. We are in direct partnership with the Fijian Government. Our aims were designed by Fijian communities and Government ministries to address Fijian need. Our Fijian charity is one of the most respected in the country.
We only do teams of up to 25 people. You will live, work and travel in a team of young, enthusiastic, slightly nervous, fresh thinking and likeminded people. We aim for a fair mix of male and female volunteers aged 17 -35. All our volunteers have the same things in common – a curiosity to learn, sense of adventure, a passion for making a positive contribution, and a desire to experience the real Fiji!
As an international organisation, the depth of our association with local communities, government departments, charities and local organisations within Fiji is unique. Think Pacific is an organisation built upon collaboration and long term partnerships, of which we are very proud. Our partnerships mean that we achieve community driven action plans in line with government aims and support some incredible initiatives lead by those who know them best. This means listening to communities’ needs, achieve projects that wouldn’t be funded by other means and create opportunities for community youth groups to thrive.
You join a project for a short period of time, but with Think Pacific your impact is part of a long-term plan, which achieves sustainable charity initiatives. In other words, you become a chess piece in a much bigger game of chess! Our foundation implements programs year-round to foster local empowerment and advocacy in support of the Fijian Government’s National Development Goals.
A Think Pacific project is not a holiday, it’s a locally driven project and a true cultural immersion experience which definitely comes with some challenges and huge personal growth. Living with your fellow team members in a remote village means comparatively back-to-basics conditions; cold bucket showers, poor sanitation facilities, eating traditional food, sleeping on a mat in a simple wooden and corrugated iron house. The programs you join also ask you to reflect on your own perspectives through cultural exchange focused discussions with young people. You’ll come out the other side with a different outlook on life, better understanding of yourself and a broader understanding of life beyond your day-to-day world.
Think Pacific’s staff oversee the project from start to finish in Fiji, backed up by a UK team. Expert Team Leaders live alongside you in the village for the whole experience, guiding each day. We have a team of over 114 staff annually facilitating our projects in Fiji, including our experienced management teams in the UK & Fiji.
With Think Pacific, this your chance to have an experience far from the tourist trail. Villages in Fiji are accessible by strict chiefly invitation only. Fijian life is incredibly communal, friendly and truly fascinating. The entire village live and work together, adhering to ancient cultures and customs. On a project you will learn about and live the fascinating rural Fijian way of life. It is our biggest privilege to be welcomed into these remote and wonderful communities.
We are very proud of our ethical and transparent project fees. By joining Think Pacific, you can be sure that your money not only provides an adventurous and rewarding experience for you, but is used to make a long term difference to youths in rural communities. Your project fee has a wider impact than you’ll see just on your project. Through our impact model, you are directly contributing to making a difference to thousands of youths and families, some living in areas that are potentially too remote for us to send teams.
We refer to our projects as ‘Expeditions’ because we plan, prepare and guide each one with the care, passion and attention to detail befitting such a unique and challenging team project. Our expeditions are reviewed by Government Departments, trusted by world class universities and visited regularly by the British High Commissioner for Fiji. Our experienced Fiji-based management team support you 24/7, backed up by our UK office. You are under the care of Think Pacific in Fiji and we take this responsibility seriously and with pride. Our leaders guide your project every day, from start to finish, living with you in the community to offer exceptional personal support. We follow thorough risk assessments and strict policy guidelines to ensure your safety and support throughout.
You will join a traditional Fijian village and you live with local families. The experience is truly a privilege. Fijian people have a justified reputation for being the friendliest people on earth. Every door is open in a Fijian community and the generosity and genuine excitement of the local people is profound. You’ll experience hospitality so immense you’ll be talking about it for years and you’ll form a close bond to the people within your community. By the end of the project, many who join them feel as though they are leaving a second home in the South Pacific.
Forget all about the beach resorts or the big towns, we head to the real Fiji. To the absolute heart of the beautiful and remarkable country. Our projects are based far from the tourist trail. Village locations you can only visit through invitation by the chief. And it’s here where you’ll experience the real Fiji and some of the most welcoming and hospitable communities imaginable, this is the Fiji that Think Pacific invites you to experience.
Put this all together and what do you have? A unique guided journey to the heart of Fiji only possible with Think Pacific. One which gives you the rewards of broadening your mind, challenging yourself and making a difference to a charity which is supporting real change. Also, a second home in the distant south seas, where you’ll forever be welcomed back with open arms. There’s few chances many of us have in life to do something as remarkable as doing something like this and to experience somewhere as remote as Fiji. Our promise to you is, if you take your chance – you’ll never regret it and you’ll leave Fiji with a new perspective on life.
