Nutrition & Public Health Outreach Assistant
Coordinator | Lauren
Coordinator | Lauren
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Practice your healthcare skills in a safe and supportive environment
Learn from a qualified practitioner first hand skills
Utilize your education to help those less fortunate than you
Experience the beautiful Fijian culture
Enjoy new friendships that could last a life time
Travel with purpose and help combat malnutrition and public health issues in Fiji. If you have an interest or background in Nutrition, Dietetics and community health....
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Background Information
According to a study in 2013, almost 1 in 3 Fijian’s is now diabetic and within the next 5 years this is projected to increase to 50%. Obesity is a serious issue for island communities due to a lack of public health education in the face of cheap imported high carbohydrate and fatty foods. There is also a huge increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a result of poor diet, in particular diabetes and heart disease.
Obesity and diabetes are placing a huge social, economical and emotional load on Fijian society. Currently, 1 in 3 Fijians are found to have elevated blood sugar, and this is primarily attributed by the excessive consumption of simple carbohydrates like white rice, refined flour and cassava (a local root crop with very high Glycemic Index).
IVI’s nutrition and dietetics programs generally cater to recent graduates with nutrition, dietetics or natural health backgrounds seeking valuable work experience in Fiji. Depending on the time of year and participant numbers, you’ll participate in structured outreach programs and/or work within busy health clinics shadowing qualified health professionals and/or conducting free assessments as well as general help and assistance where needed.
Outreach Program – Nutrition & Public HealthWorking alongside a qualified practitioner, the aim of the outreach project is health promotion & free assessments in resorts, schools, villages and corporate centers to increase the knowledge about nutrition and the effect of physical activity in the daily life in order to prevent the risk of developing NCD’s. Take part in an outreach program designed to empower Fijians to make informed decisions about their heath. You may have the opportunity to conduct health screenings like blood pressure checks, blood glucose level tests and waist to hip ratios measurement.
Who Can Participate in the Outreach ProgramStudents studying in the discipline of health science, physiotherapy & related fields and qualified therapists, nutritionists, naturopaths, dietitians. A qualified practitioner will be available to support and guide you during the program. Volunteers without qualifications in this field are still encouraged to apply and depending on your desire and experience, you may be accepted into the program.
Why we need you in Fiji
- Approx 34% of the population in Fiji live below the poverty line
- Rates for education and literacy are low, making it hard for many local people to find skilled work
- Lack of adamant nutrition is prominant in Fiji, increased by the cheap imported food available, leading to obesity problems, as well as problems such as type 2 diabetes & micronutrient deficiencies
- Malutrition is also seen in Fiji, particually with the under 5's, showing signs such as stunted growth and wasting (loosing muscle mass)
How can you help on this project?
- For health students and qualified professionals, combat malnutrition and public health issues in Fiji
- Assist in local health checks with guidance from a qualified in country practitioner
- Help promote health, nutrition and fitness, giving free assessments to villagers from disadvantaged backgrounds
- Create diet, nutrition and diabetes awareness campaigns, to educate the local children
What will you be doing?
- Conduct health screenings like blood pressure checks, blood glucose level tests and waist to hip ratios measurement.
- Give educational assistance and local talks (if desired)
- Design fitness and exercise programs for villagers
- Help identify protein deficiency among local school children
Typical day
As a volunteer on the public health & nutrition care project you’ll work in various communities around Nadi and Lautoka and the islands as well as remote island communities which lack access to basic healthcare. With support and assistance from the program coordinators, you will be assigned specific health cases and may be involved with but not limited to:
– Conducting individual and group consultations
– Remote island healthcare education
– Corporate health assessments (5 star resorts)
– Children’s health & education
– Identifying protein deficiency among school kids
– Assisting in the prescription of natural protocols
– Providing educational assistance and local talks (if desired)
– Helping build nutrition and diabetes awareness campaigns
– Designing fitness and exercise programs
– Village exercise programs
– General healthy living programs
Volunteers may also take part in presentations on exercise and living an active lifestyle, with topics such as healthy eating, sexual health and physical activity for school children.
Free-time activities
Nadi is the main tourist area for Fiji and the gateway to island hoping. Coral coast is a beautiful stretch of tourist beaches located about 1 hour south by car. There are are many options for weekend excursions which our in-country management team will help you organize while in Fiji.
Water Sports
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Hiking
Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
Healthcare at level
CV
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
09:00
- 13:30
What's Included
Includes:
- In-country qualified practitioner supervisor / coordinator
- Access to resort facilities & services (during corporate health components)
- Arrival & departure airport transfers (Nadi)
- Accommodation – Home Stays & Resort Rooms! (twin or triple sharing with other volunteers)
- 3 Meals per day
- Ground transportation
- Use of necessary equipment and project materials (eg. blood glucose test kits)
- 24/7 in-country support
- Certificate of Completion
- University / CPE points (as us how)
Return airport transfers included from Nadi International Airport
Enjoy the experience of living like a local in Fiji while staying with other international volunteers. During the corporate health components of the program you will likely stay in a resort rooms sharing twin or triple share with your volunteer mates. Additional time spent will be within friendly and comfortable Fijian homestay's sharing twin share with other volunteers.
Bedroom (Double)
Bedroom (Single)
Guest Family
All our homestay's offer 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. Enjoy integrating into a local Fijian way of life. You’ll have the support and care of living with a real Fijian family. We have a dedicated team on the ground and a network of host families and ground operators in various parts of the country.
Meals are included and served either at the resort (yummy!) or at the host family for breakfast and dinner with lunch normally on site. A typical day may consist of (subject to variation). We can also cater to gluten free, dairy free or vegan diets:
- 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.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Nadi International Airport (NAN) in Nadi. We assist you to find cheap flights to Fiji.
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.
If you are intending to volunteer in Fiji you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Fiji.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Outreach program Intake dates. Inquire with us to confirm specific start dates.
JAN
JAN
JUN
JUL
AUG
NOV
Please note you can combine this 2 week program with our other Fiji programs if you wish to extend your stay! Other projects include teaching in schools and kindergartens, construction, woman and children's communes etc
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 2 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$1,260
2 weeks
(max. stay)
$1,575
Average fees
$1,024
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Involvement Volunteers IVI
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
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We refund your fees if Involvement Volunteers IVI cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Involvement Volunteers IVI.
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Nutrition & Public Health Outreach Assistant
Travel with purpose and help combat malnutrition and public health issues in Fiji. If you have an interest or background in Nutrition, Dietetics and community health....
$1024/week
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