The pair of South West Healthcare nurses are part of a team of eight volunteers from Warrnambool and Wantirna Seventh-Day Adventist church that will take part in a three-week upgrade of the medical facility Balolava Clinic.

While Mr Beks has done volunteer work in Fiji, he and Miss Lewis said the trip would be a challenging but worthwhile experience.

``I find it really rewarding to meet the people and be able to help them out,'' Mr Beks said.

``I was initially interested because I thought I'd be helping with the medical side of the clinic but now that I know I'll be doing renovations, Luke's been helping me practise using a hammer and power saw,'' Miss Lewis laughed.

``I'm a little bit nervous because I don't really know what to expect, it's definitely going to be a very different culture, climate and work for me but I'm really looking forward to it.''

The Wantirna church provides funds and resources to maintain the clinic.

Recently, the Warrnambool church joined the Wantirna congregation in the project and has assisted with fund-raising for the renovation.

During the visit from September 24 to October 13, the team and Solomon Islands locals will re-clad the roof, install a solar energy system, re-paint the exterior and interior of the building and repair the water supply pipeline.

The pair admitted working long days outside in the sun and humidity might come as a shock to the system.

``But it's only 300 metres from the beach, so when we've finished for the day I think there will be some snorkelling and relaxing in a hammock too,'' Mr Beks said.