Volunteers Needed For Cyclone Disaster Relief In Fiji

International volunteer organization Projects Abroad calls for volunteers to help with  recovery efforts in the wake of Cyclone Winston in Fiji More than 20,000 buildings were damaged or destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Winston in Fiji last month  Tropical Cyclone Winston, which struck Fiji on February 20th 2016, has left a trail of destruction  in its wake. The storm was the most powerful ever to hit the islands and has claimed at least 43  lives and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes. Fiji is in desperate need of aid and Projects Abroad is calling for volunteers to help with recovery work in areas severely impacted  by the storm. The primary goal of the project is to help restore a safe learning environment for children by rebuilding and renovating schools in and around Lautoka, Ba, Tavua, and Rakiraki. Although the Fijian government is doing everything they can to return the children to a normal school environment, there is a great deal of work that must be done to ensure that the schools are safe. As work progresses, Projects Abroad will also be expanding the project to include rebuilding homes damaged by the tropical cyclone. There are various tasks that volunteers will get involved in at the Disaster Relief Project, including conducting damage assessments, clearing debris, building water tanks, replacing window glass and frames, assisting local carpenters, and more. The project is already underway in Fiji and volunteers have begun working at sites in affected areas and distributing basic necessities such as food, water, and clothing where needed. Volunteers can join at any time and stay for as long as they choose, for a minimum of one week.  The project will run for as long as it is needed and the organization anticipates that volunteer aid will be vital for the next several months. During their time in Fiji, all volunteers will be accommodated in secure and undamaged housing with host families in Lautoka and be supported by full-time local Projects Abroad staff. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Projects Abroad or visit www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/building/disaster-relief/volunteer-fiji. About Projects Abroad Projects Abroad was founded in 1992 by Dr. Peter Slowe, a geography professor, as a program for students to travel and work while on break from full-time study. The program had its genesis in post-USSR Romania, where students were given the chance to teach conversational English. After a few years just sending volunteers to Eastern Europe for teaching, the company expanded to sending volunteers of all ages around the world on a wide range of projects. Projects Abroad is a global leader in short-term international volunteer programs with projects in 30 countries and recruitment offices in the UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Holland, Hong Kong, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and the United States. For details on volunteering abroad, visit Projects Abroad's web site at www.projects-abroad.org.