Vanuatu placement details

Placement locations

Placements are located on the islands of Ambae, Pentecost, Paama and Tanna. All are accessible by Twin Otter planes.

Roles explained

Vanuatu is certainly unique amongst the choice of placements offered by Lattitude, or in fact by any one! Volunteering in Vanuatu is an incredible experience to say the least. Made so not just from the spectacular and beautiful island landscapes and the truly adventurous nature of Vanuatu itself, but by the unbelievably welcoming people of this fantastic country. The importance of community life is the corner stone of Vanuatu culture and volunteers soon become a valued and important part of village life in all placements offered in the Lattitude programme. Although these placements focus around the schools where volunteers work is based, it is without doubt that volunteers will be involved in the many aspects of community life. Whether helping community members with sport, music, art, drama or simply socialising with your host family as you watch the sun set. Volunteering in Vanuatu is a real opportunity to experience a life different from the one you may be used to!

Teaching

Placements are in primary and secondary schools, which are basic and have limited resources. Volunteers teach a range of subjects such as English, maths, science, geography and history. Additional duties may include general boarding supervision and assistance with extracurricular activities such as sport (soccer, volleyball and basketball), music and drama. Volunteers work full school days and have some occasional evening boarding work.

Is it for me?

In Vanuatu you will work as a full-time teacher and draw upon your own educational background. These challenging placements will suit academically confident, hardworking and responsible people. You will discover if teaching is for you while truly immersing yourself within the rich culture. Placements in Vanuatu offer the chance of real grass-roots volunteering, volunteers must be willing to forgo most luxuries, even running water and electricity, and be prepared to truly integrate into island life.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation is either provided within the host school or with local families in the surrounding community. It is basic but is no different from the accommodation that most Ni-Vans have. There are bush toilets, no hot water, bucket showers and little or no electricity. Food is supplied and is quite simple, with a typical diet consisting of rice, bread, local cabbages, vegetables, fruit and tinned meat. Volunteers may need to cook for themselves and have the resourcefulness to make meals more interesting with herbs, spices and sauces. However, volunteers are often surprised by how little they miss their home comforts, particularly in the welcoming communities of Vanuatu.

Need to know

Pre departure briefing - all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
On arrival - all volunteers travel together to Port Vila where they undertake a one-week orientation

Travel

Volunteers have the opportunity to travel during the school holidays and at the end of their placement. You could head on to New Zealand, Australia or Fiji or take time to explore some of the 83 islands that make up the Vanuatu Archipelago. There are active volcanoes, rainforests, turquoise seas, coral reefs – in fact everything you need in a South Sea Island paradise. The adventurous may choose to sandboard down volcanic slopes, abseil down sheer waterfalls or gallop along palm fringed beaches. You must not miss the N’gol ritual on Pentecost Island where men and boys “land dive” from 30 metre high towers with a vine attached to their ankles to celebrate the yam harvest.

Costs

Lattitude Global Volunteering fee: £2,200

What’s included?

Accommodation & food (provided by host family)
In-country support
24/7 support
In-country orientation
Assigned Volunteer Coordinator to help with all pre-departure support and offer guidance
Pre-departure briefing
Airport pickup
In depth matching process to align your skills and interests with a placement that really suits you

Please note this fee does not include the cost of getting to Vanuatu or extras such as insurance or any inoculations you may need. For an estimated break down of all costs you may have to budget for please click here

Fundraising

As a charity we always recommend our volunteers fundraise to help meet the costs involved in volunteering overseas. In many ways it is part of the whole experience. For more information and fundraising ideas please click here

Planning your trip

Placement type	Departure	Application deadline	status
Community Teaching (6 months)	Jan 2014	October 2013	Spaces Available
Community Teaching (6 months)	Jan 2015	October 2014	Spaces Available

Please note that the deadline is the last possible time allowed to get an application form in that allows us enough time to match volunteers and begin sorting out visas. We always recommend applying as early as possible in order to secure your place.

We are currently accepting applications for departures up until 2014.

Volunteer in Vanuatu: apply now>>