Samoa

30 Years Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.  We accept volunteers from all over the world and place them in meaningful overseas missions.  

Affordable Volunteer Travel

Samoa is stunning group of islands in the South Pacific close to Fiji so only a short flight from Australia or New Zealand.  The history of this gorgeous country runs back over 3000 years where Samoa was colonized by various countries including Germany, New Zealand, United States and Britain.  

Samoa is known for it’s lush and natural landscapes and pristine beaches so nature and beach lovers will be very happy here! Samoa is arguably one of those “forgotten” countries which never fail to make a huge impact on anyone lucky enough to travel beyond the better known destinations.

It’s not generally known that Samoa is in fact the Heart of Polynesia, and is very rich in its Pacific culture. Land and seascapes are absolutely stunning and diverse, ranging from true rainforests to some of the most beautiful beaches on Planet Earth.

Spread over primarily 2 islands i.e. Upolu (on which the capital Apia is located), and Savaii which is larger but less populated. Black lava stone from the non-active volcanoes can be seen in many places.   Quality sealed roads connect the many villages and natural sites around the main islands. 

Samoa has a tropical year-round climate. Average temperatures throughout the year range from 24 to 30 degrees. 

May to October is the dry season and the most popular time to visit for most. The wet season is from November to April, with heavy rain, usually in short bursts. The wettest month is January, when rains can last for several hours. 

The major ethnic group residing in Samoa are Samoans consisting more than 90% of the population while there are some Eurasians as well. Even though the main language of Samoa is Samoan, they utilize English in communicating too. The economy of traditional Samoa mainly depends on agriculture and fishing at the local level and at present, Samoa is dependent on development aids, agri exports and foreign remittances

Apia, with a population of approx 40,000 is the capital city of Samoa, and the location of the volunteer guest house and projects. Apia is also a popular fishing destination and visit to the fish market in Apia in the early morning will surely give you a unique experience! There are also many restaurants in Apia for seafood lovers.

Accommodation and Meals are included for the duration of your volunteer program. Enjoy living like a Samoan local. You’ll share a room with up to 4 to 6 volunteers in a large western style home located in a safe and comfortable residential area with all modern amenities.

The accommodation has a nice garden with all kinds of fruit trees which is nice to enjoy socializing with your new friends. WIFI is included free of charge in public areas. Laundry facilities are located nearby for a small fee. The rooms are lockable but there is no safety deposit boxes. Bed linen, mosquito protection and fans are also included but there is no air-con and volunteers are expected to bring their own towel.

3 meals a day on weekdays and 2 meals a day on weekends will be provided for the duration of your placement.

Food plays a vital role in Samoan culture bringing people together. Fish is a main part of the delicious Samoan dishes while tropical fruits and vegetables also are abundant in Samoa. Some of the must try food in Samoa would be oka which is raw fish in coconut milk and palusami which are young taro leaves baked with coconut cream.  

Meals are served at the volunteer house or project site depending on the project. Bottled water is readily available in Samoa and volunteers should budget approximately US$2 per day. There is also filtered water available at the volunteer house. 

An optional week cultural orientation is available, which will familiarise yourself with the Samoan culture and way of life, to help you get the most out of your volunteering experience.  

An arrival airport transfer is included for pick-ups on Sundays only. If arriving on other days, you’ll need to make your own way to the placement or alternatively we can arrange a transfer at reasonable cost for you in advance. Just ask us! The daily transportation to/from the project site is also included. 

Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organize additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency.

There are many places of interest, including “sinkholes”, blow holes”, waterfalls, forests, museums, fabulous beaches. Weekends may be used to explore the natural beauty of Samoa, whilst staying overnight at one of the beautiful Beach Fales (open house, watch the stars), or a beach or tree house resort. Details available at the our travel desk, and on our notice board.

Would you like to raise money in order to afford your trip abroad to volunteer? Or perhaps you would like to set up a funraiser to gain enough money to give as a donation to the local project? Crowd funding is a great way to do this. Read this article on Crowdfunding tips to find out how you can raise funds for your trip.