Plan a trip to give back and experience exotic Tonga. Rewarding projects can be joined on islands like Fofoa where you can help education, community and conservation efforts.
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
Community Development
Take the opportunity to help out in the local community. This could be via a range of activities including building a playground for the kindergarten, assisting the women’s group with their gardens, refereeing the kids soccer game (or playing goalie!) or helping to build the new road and jetty.
Another day could be spent in the village will be during the handicraft day. As you will notice during your time in Tonga, mats are absolutely integral to the Tongan culture. There are many different types with a variety of uses. Seeing how they are made from the pandanus leaves gives you an insight into the amount of work and love it takes to make each one. This gives you a chance to sit with the women of the community and help them making their mats or if the time is right, to assist in the production of the famous tapa cloth.
For those that prefer, a guided walk through the bush gives you a chance to find out more about the different types of trees to be found in Tonga and what part plant medicine has in the culture.
Some organisations have set up education funds, which you will have already donated to by just turning up! This fund is being created to offer different opportunities to the people from the village of Hunga such as teaching training, guiding whale watching or even assisting in the costs of overseas studies.
Conservation Programs
Conservation projects can vary according to your specific interests and/or when you join the project.
One of the on-going initiatives involves snorkelling to the stunning fringing reef around the Blue Lagoon to survey the current state of the coral using Project AWARE’s data collection resources. Some organisations are registered as a Coral Watch operator with the Project AWARE foundation which is partnered with and supported by PADI. The information collated helps marine research into global warming and coral bleaching.
Less regular events may include an underwater or shoreline clean up elsewhere in Vava’u. Barefoot Tonga also aims to promote marine education through special children’s events which you can help organise and run.
Volunteering in Tonga FAQ
Are there any other ways of getting to Vava’u apart from flying on Chathams Pacific?
Flying in is the only real option as the infrequency and unsafe conditions make Tongan ferries a bad idea.
What’s on the island?
At the moment our land on Fofoa contains our house, a workshop, 2 water tanks, 1 generator, the Barefoot campsite (including a communal fale (hut) & kitchen), toilets & washing areas.
How do you get around?
You don’t need to get around that much as most of the project takes place on Fofoa. Transport from Fofoa to Hunga (the nearest village & island) will be by boat.
If this is such a pristine island, should you be building/living on it?
Fofoa is not an uninhabited island, as it has actually been lived on in various forms since 1887. However it is our intention to leave as little as possible on the island, which is why we are building in local materials & using compost toilets etc. Our intention is to leave nothing but a barefoot footprint!
Where does the water come from?
Fresh rainwater is collected in tanks for cooking & drinking only. Part of the project will be to build a further rainwater management system for washing – in the meantime we use special soap for washing in the sea.
What is the food like?
There are lots of nutritious, healthy, balanced meals available with fresh ingredients. The proposed menu on Fofoa is red meat once a week, chicken twice, once fish (unless TahiPacifika can bring home some more), and the rest of the time fresh veggies. A big part of the project is to create a productive, organic garden to provide at the very least, herbs & basic salad ingredients. Fruit is available at different times of the year according to season – papaya, coconut, and kola (a juicy mix between lime and orange) are available all year round. November to February is the best season for fruit, with mango, pineapple, avocado and passion fruit all in season.
Are vegetarians catered for?
Yes organisations can cater for vegetarians, but it is recommended that you bring your own protein substitutes such as lentils, beans or nuts, as these are difficult to source in Tonga. The choice of veggies can be really limited for up to 6 months of the year so you will be eating a lot of the starch-filled root veggies that the Tongans so love!
How much money goes to the project’s local partners?
Around 2-10% of profits go to education funds and good causes. Initially this will help the new kindergarten set up in Hunga. The intention is that further beneficeries will include students wanting to study conservation, especially in the marine environment. Additionally, the activities which take place in Hunga are run by local people employed by Barefoot.
Medical Aid
In emergencies, a medical officer can be on the island within 15 minutes. There is a hospital in Neiafu, Vava’u’s main town, which also has an excellent dentist should you need any emergency dental treatment. There is also a well-stocked pharmacy with a first rate pharmacist. However, it is recommended that each participant should bring their own basic first aid kit & arrange their own medical insurance.
Activities
There are lots of activities offered outside of the volunteer experience, including kite surfing, kayaking, walking tours, scooter hire, surfing and sailing.
If you like the idea of helping in Tonga, you might also like to view volunteer opportunities in Fiji.