Introduction

Think Pacific is a very small and personal organisation. People who choose to volunteer with us become a close member of our team and in Fiji, our volunteers are made to feel very much a part of the Fijian families who we support. Many of our volunteers keep in close contact with their 'Fijian families' when they return home and we've had many volunteers return back to their village to see their Fijian brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers and friends again.

If you're considering joining a volunteer project there's often nothing better then speaking to someone who has been there and done it. We are always delighted to put potential volunteers in touch with past volunteers, so you can hear all about their experiences. Please email simon@thinkpacifc.com and I would be delighted to send you a list of the contact details for some of our recently returned volunteers.

Recent emails and letters from our past volunteers:

I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you and Harry for everything Think Pacific has done. I had the best time of my life on Batiki Island. I thought Harry and Paskey were such good leaders, fun, helpful and always there if I needed to speak to them about anything! My favourite job on Batiki was definitely working in school as I could spend so much time with the children. I loved every minute of the expedition and didn't want to leave. It was definitely the saddest moment of my life leaving the village as I love my family so much and got on so so well with the Fijians, especially the children. I miss them so much and think about Batiki pretty much every minute of the day. I just keep thinking of Fiji and wishing I was back right now. I feel so passionate about Fiji now and talk about Batiki and Think Pacific all the time. I didn't realise I could fall in love with a place so much, love people like that, and feel so loved. I would never have had this amazing experience without yours and Harry's help so vinaka vaka levu!!!

Georgia Edwards, Surrey, May 2011

Hi Simon! I'm a bit emotional about being home and missing the village and the TP team. I rang my Fijian family this morning to let them know I was home safe and they were very excited to hear from me. I had the most incredible time in Fiji, an experience I will treasure forever. I feel so lucky to have met such amazing people, who are content with so little and so willing to offer all their love.
Livvy Steans, April 2011

I'm just emailing to say a huge thanks for making me a part of the expedition. The last 2 months have been amongst the best of my entire life and I'll treasure the memories Think Pacific gave me forever. Without your efforts at home that wouldn't be possible so thank you and vinaka vakalevu. Please pass on my sincerest thanks to Harry as well.
Tom Owen, April 2011

I am so grateful for the chance to go to Fiji with you guys. I get the feeling that myself and the team don't think that we could have picked a better experience to be a part of. I am now in NZ and am already missing Fiji, as are others. So I want to thank you and harry for such a wonderful journey that you have sent us on. Once again thankyou so much, TP will always be in my mind and I definitely plan to visit fiji in a few years.
Ben Mclauchlan, April 2011

I had the time of my life in Fiji and will never ever forget it. Right from the start you have been so supportive and helpful and I really can't thank you enough. Yavu was amazing I feel like it's my second home and definitely going to return. It was so much more than I ever expected and never thought we could be welcomed to openly into their village families and their way of life. what think pacific are doing in Fiji is amazing and it's been a pleasure to be a small part of that.
Kerry Oldfield, April 2011

I can't thank Think Pacific enough for all you have done. Not only are the village people so grateful to you for your time and generosity, so am I.
Dan Wheatley, April 2011

Bula vinaka Simon!! I've just returned to Edinburgh now after spending an extra 2 days in LA and I am already massively missing Fiji. The people in Yanuca were absolutely amazing and I'm missing the village so much and can't wait to go back already. It's also a very weird feeling that the team are all spread apart all over the world!! A huge vinaka for picking me for the project. We can really see the impact that your organisation has on their lives and I would love to do the whole thing again. If there's anything I can ever do to help out on the British front please let me know. Moce, Emma
Emma Hay, April 2011

The whole experience has been phenomenal. I can't put into words how i feel about it or how to thank you for giving me the opportunity to do something like that but as best I can I would just like to thank both you and Harry for everything, it's been the best 10 weeks of my life and something i feel very proud and humbled to have done so a massive vinaka vakalevu to you.
Andy Murphy, April 2011

I just want to say the biggest thank you there is, I had the most amazing time it was unbelievable. Harry was a fantastic leader and I felt honoured being part of his last team. If you ever need a hand with anything to do with think pacific please let me know as I would love to be able to pay a part and let others experience the life changing experience I had.
Harrry Petrie, April 2011

It was a well and truly moving experience, and I have to thank you again for creating a company that lets volunteers form such an amazing connection with the communities in Fiji. Loloma, Will
Will Grant, March 2011

It was such an incredible experience, being part of the TP team so really vinaka for everything!! I had the most amazing time in Fiji, especially in Ulibau - "Living the dream!". The memories really will last forever, I don't think I will stop talking about my time there for years yet. The Villiage and all projects were just truly amazing. I will always think of myself as TP, and can't wait until I can go back to Fiji and visit the village! I can't imagine myself not going back there one day, especially after I have done my International Development degree. I would very much appreciate it if you could pass a MASSIVE vinaka vaka levu onto the team in Fiji. They really made the experience what it was!
Bryony Woolgar, December 2010

I'm just settling back into boring old Britain after my ten weeks in Uluibau. Had an absolutely incredible time and just wanted to drop you an email to say thanks for everything you did to help from UK side. All your emails and chats on the phone made everything so much easier and really got me prepared for the expedition. Thanks again for everything, Rob
Robin Cumming, December 2010

I had THE best time during my 5 weeks in Fiji, I'm honestly finding it a little weird trying to get back to normal life because I keep thinking about Fiji and Savuna and general TP things, so thank you SO SO SO much, because that was the best experience of my life - and that's all down to you, Harry and Tim. All of you guys do such an amazing job, and I am so grateful to all of you. Definitely keep in touch, if there is any big news from Moturiki or anything TP related, I would love to hear it! I'm already planning how I can get out there again!! Vinaka vaka levu for the best 5 weeks I could have imagined!
Hannah Grundy, August 2010

Thank you very much for the email I had the absolute time of my life this summer in Fiji with Think Pacific. Everything was just so far beyond what I could have asked for or expected. The families were incredible and I loved becoming a part of the village and immersing into a new culture. Both Harry and Tim were so amazing on the project. Thank you so much for all your help before and during the project. You kept us all so well informed and the blog is brilliant! All the best with future Tp teams and projects happening.
Alex Jenkinson, August 2010

Long time no speak! The whole 5 weeks was absolutely amazing, never a dull moment, it really was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I think all of team 6 are already missing village life and our families in Fiji, I'm definitely hoping to return to Moturiki one day. Thank you so much for everything you and Harry did prior to and during the trip, we all really appreciate it. And the blog is brilliant!
Katie Thorn, August 2010

It was the best group you could have possibly put together, where you got the guys from and how you chose them I will never know, but it was so so good and our time in the village and together was very special, for me anyway. Honestly, I can remember every single moment as if it was today and every moment was amazing, this is also helped by my diary entries!!!.... It was amazing. Cheers for everything.
James Conville, July 2010

The Niubasaga experience was FAR MORE than I'd expected it to be, those people are absolute credits to their country and everyone of the TP team, including the leaders who were fantastic, helped to make that experience one to remember forever
Lucy Price, July 2010

Simon, I just wanted to say a massive vinaka for the whole trip. It was incredible, every aspect of it. It is honestly one of the best decisions I have made and I wish you the best of luck for all future expeditions.
Jamie Knowles, July 2010

I would just like to take the time to thank you (and of course Fiji Guy) for giving me the opportunity to spend 10 weeks in Nasauvuki. It was, despite sounding clichéd, the most eye-opening and life changing 3 months of my life; and going to Fiji with Think Pacific is most definitely the best decision I have ever made.
Chris Newman, July 2010

Bula! Like I said to Harry before we left, this experience has changed our lives and we will never forget it. I will never really be able to tell you how grateful I am that you gave me this opportunity and I will always continue to spread the awesomeness that is TP! And you are right, once TP ALWAYS TP! Thank you so much for everything and for the help you gave me before the trip and the constant phone calls just to check in. As for improvements all I can say is that there is none. You guys were fantastic. aaaah i can't thank you guys enough! YOU'RE BRILLIANT! Genuinely Si, thanks for everything!
Ashleigh Campbell, April 2010

Bula Simon, I'm sitting here in terminal 2 of LA, thinking about the past 3 months that I've just gone through and they have been the greatest three months of my life. And I owe you and Harry a big big vinakavaka levu for that and giving me the opportunity to experience it with a great village, great family, great leaders and 18 new best friends. Leaving the village was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do as it feels now that I have my own family in Nasavuki and leaving Fiji all together was also hard. Harry has spoken to me about the love you and him have for Fiji and in these 3 months I know I have also found that love for Fiji. I hope to go back as soon as possible to the village. Thank you so very much for picking me, I have never had something mean so much to me in my life and although it was hard to leave it just means I will be back there sooner.
Tom Clark, April 2010