EASTER 2013

  Our Easter adventure included Good people, Good Food, Pottery and SHARKS!
        We started with a visit to Dave Crowley, a Peace Corps volunteer from Washington DC, now living in Sigatoka.   Archeological excavations in the Sigatoka Sand dunes have uncovered pottery more than 2600 years old and one of the largest burial sites in the Pacific.  The sand dunes have been forming over millions of years as sediments brought down by the Sigatoka River are washed ashore by the surf and blown into dunes by the prevailing winds.  Dave  took us to Nakabuta, a small pottery village where he lived for 14 months.  We were treated to a meke, tralala, garland wreathes, sevusevu and a pottery demonstration.  It was fabulous!

 Mary Griffith, Dave Crowley and Joe in Sigatoka..

Water Rugby

 A mother and her children cleaning fish....

 Joe is drinking kava....and a fan dance meke....

 Dave's bure where he lived.

Pottery has a 3000 year history in Fiji, thought to have first been brought by the Lapita people.  The pots are beaten into shape with wooden paddles of various shapes and sizes.  Coil and slab-building techniques are also used.  Once, dried, pots are fired outdoors in an open blaze on coconut husks, and are often sealed with resin varnish taken from the dakau tree.
   None of the pots are made using machines or wheels.  Instead, local sand and clay is collected from the river and mixed together using the heel of the foot and the pots are formed with the hands.  These are sun dried and fired in open fires.  The resin from the trees are the glazes.  There is no second firing.    All the women of the village participate in this art.   I am interested in learning more about pottery in Fiji and will visit another pottery village and keep you posted... Nasilai village is home to the well-known potter, Taraivini Wati.  Pottery is a major source of income for this village.  When a baby girl is born in the village, a lump of clay is placed on her forehead.  It is believed she will then automatically know how to carry on the pottery making tradition!  Can't wait to visit in May.

Our next adventure was to Beqa Island.  The island is about 7km in diameter.  It is known as a diving resort to view sharks and for fire walking. Beqa Lagoon is one of the few places where it is possible to dive with massive barrel-chested bull and tiger sharks without being caged!!!!!  We met a lot of great people and were able to snorkel, kayak, eat great food, have complimentary foot massages, hike to a waterfall, learn about Fiji plant medicines, (more about that later!)  read, and enjoy a bit of LALA land!  We did not get to see fire walking or Sharks!

 Our bure....#21

 Complimentary foot massage on arrival...  We were met with music, garland wreathes, cold drinks and friendly hospitality.  Joe doesn't let many people touch his feet!!!!

 I love to read and nap in a hammock by the sea.....

 There is a large restaurant lounge bure serving fabulous food and a pool on a coconut tree-fringed beach.

Is this LALA land?????

GOOD PEOPLE we met this weekend......

 A parade to the soccer field...

 MOCE.....

OH BOY! IT'S A BOY...coming to California in September 2013!

Michael, Jenny, Jack, Luke and Ryan just sent us this......  We are soooooooo happy!

BREAKFAST WITH JOE AND FLO

 PawPaw....Papaya....  Waleti....our favorite fruit.

We have lovely native flowers and lots of wonderful zinnias in our gardens.

Now, where did he come from????  We also  have lots of geckos everywhere and they make the strangest sound....o fiddlee dee

"Ginger" loves JOE!  She appeared at our doorstep looking for breakfast!!  There are so many stray dogs and cats in Fiji.

A DAY AT SABETO

Today the team went to Sabeto, a village in the Land of the Sleeping Giant.  We park the van in the front yard, set up equipment and begin a day of teaching and doing pap smears, breast exams etc.  I continue to learn so much from Dr. Swaran.  Ladies do not receive a clean gown but we do have sulus to provide for a bit of privacy.  The same sheets are used all day long.  We do use gloves and disposable speculums ( thank goodness ).   The van does have soap and water.  Many women have never had a pap smear and most women do not use any contraception.
   I am going to the Children Cancer Ward at Lautoka Hospital next week.  Joe is delivering concrete today to 4 villages/settlements.  They are building bases for four water tanks.  He is also working with the schools on a Walk for Health.  The youth of Fiji will hopefully be the new leaders for a healthier lifestyle.  Culture here can be a challenge for change but we continue to work one day at a time.

Recycling TRASH with Sr. Anna

Sister Anna  Wiwiek Soepraptiwi  is a nun, Daughters of Charity, from Indonesia who takes plastic garbage and makes purses.  She and her team are teaching the village women of Lolu Hart.  This is her message.......

Did you know that you can help take care of our earth?

*  Say no to plastic bags from stores - use your own cloth bags

*  Plant your own vegetables

*  Save water when showering and use for the garden

I still have a hard time sitting on the floor to do anything!!!!  I have a harder time getting up!!!!

IT IS WHAT YOU DON'T SEE....schools in Fiji

This is a blog written by Matthew Allen, a fellow Peace Corps volunteer in Rakiraki.  I liked it so much I wanted to share it.   These are his words.........

"The educational system in Fiji is quite different from American schools in many regards.  Surprisingly, there are some things that I actually like better.  First, the kids here are obedient and respectful towards their teachers.  You don't see students talking out of turn or being rude.  Although, that may have to do with the fact that corporal punishment has only recently been phased out here in the past couple of years.  Another thing I really like is that there are no school janitors in Fiji.  All the children have chores around the school and are expected to clean up after themselves.

Unfortunately, however, there is a major flaw in the Fijian school system.  You shouldn't notice it at first if you were to just sit in on a few classes.  What you would see wouldn't be much different from what you might see if you walked into a random American classroom.  Maybe the teacher is giving a short lecture or the students are quietly working through some exercises.  It is what you don't see is where the problem lies.

Everything the students do revolves around the memorization of facts and then regurgitating them back on an exam.  Students really don't learn any academic "skills" here.  Critical thinking, problem-solving and public speaking are all absent from the curriculum.  Children don't even ask questions in the classrooms here.  It's easy to take for granted how integral this is to the American educational system until you come to a place where it isn't.  And I understand that many people criticize American schools over these same issues, but back home the problem is merely a lack of emphasis.  Here these things are completely non-existent.

Why the schools are like this isn't immediately obvious.  It may partly be a legacy of the British colonial education system, which naturally discouraged real education for the "natives".  It may also be a cultural matter.  Fijian culture is very collectivist by nature, so it does not foster a lot of individualism or creativity.  As a result, rural Fiji suffers from a constant brain-drain, as brighter individuals in the village get frustrated and choose to move to the cities or even overseas.

Why am I going on at length about this?  Because I can see the consequences of this kind of education in the adults I work with.  It creates a considerable challenge for Peace Corps volunteers doing educational outreach here.  Fijian adults are very shy to ask questions during presentations.  It is difficult to get them to participate in group discussions.  Not that it can't be done, of course.  A good way of getting them involved is having them do things instead of just talking about things.  For example, doing a cooking demonstration instead of a lecture on healthy eating.  The people of Fiji are very eager to learn, you just have to do it in a way that they are comfortable with."

Matt went to the University of Virginia and just scored very high on his MCATS.  He will be a fine doctor!

51 Pounds!!!

"CHOOSE WELLNESS"




We were invited to Fiji to assist the people in meeting their healthcare needs.  Through education, teaching life skills and being examples of health we hope we are doing this.  Joe has lost 51 pounds, he is walking everyday.   People know him and call out to Vuniwai (Dr.) Joe.  We are eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and trying to decrease our processed foods.  (  I still have an occasional Diet Coke and Joe has an occasional martini!!!!!   I don't think beer and wine count!!!!) We are hoping people will  "Choose Wellness."  Wellness is an active process of choosing to have a  healthy mind, body and spirit.  It makes more sense than giving out another drug, doesn't it?  Sometimes easier said than done......

STUFF

         Joe and I live in 350 square feet....we have a kitchen/reading room, a bedroom and indoor bathroom with shower.  We have 6 plates, 6 cups.  We do not have TV or an oven but we do have a gas two burner stove top that we buy propane for, a refrigerator and an electric fry pan. ( I can bake banana bread/cookies in an electric fry pan!)  We receive about $300/month stipend from Peace Corps to cover food, travel.   We walk to work.  We travel by bus/mini-bus.  Our market is a 20minute bus ride to Lautoka or Nadi.  We really have everything we need.  Did I mention, we have a FAN!
   Now, I like material things as much as anyone.  But I have learned that after a certain point, material objects have a tendency to crowd out the emotional need they are meant to support.
   Joe and I will always appreciate our life in Fiji.  We certainly would not trade it in for any material thing.  We have less but I think we enjoy more.  Our lives are full of love, adventure and work we enjoy.
   I really don't think it takes much to make most people happy.  We want to live in a healthy environment, enjoy good physical, mental and spiritual  health, have great relationships, have time for recreation and live in peace.  Joe and I are adjusting to life in Fiji.  We are walking, eating good foods, meeting new people.  We appreciate our family and friends.   We are enjoying each other.
   Happiness often requires removal.  I can definitely scale back on possessions, space, debt, and activities.....    I think!!!!!!  

                       



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

A Trip Back to Lodoni......





   We just recently returned from a visit back to Lodoni, our host village, where we lived for two months when we first arrived in Fiji.  It took us 2 buses and 4 minibuses to make the 7 hour trip.  ( A mini-bus is a van with 15 people stuffed inside and blaring music!! ) Our host family welcomed us with open arms. Losanna Florence, my namesake, had grown. It was great seeing everyone again... but life in Lodoni is hard.   There was not an ounce of food in the house.   The little tin houses seemed hot, dirty and sad. The grass needed to be cut, the weeds needed weeding, the floor needed sweeping, the laundry needed to be washed, the dishes needed to be cleaned.  Our host MOM is 60 years old, overweight, with high blood pressure.  She looked tired and sick.  Our host DAD, who prides himself on his health, had back pain.  The community volleyball net had been taken down. The Community Hall was empty but showed remnants of last night's grog session.  The Church was quiet.   There was no soap next to the sink.  The legs of the kitchen table were set in water to prevent ants???  It was HOT.  There are no playgrounds for children.  We brought pencils and notebooks for the children.  We brought food.  Is there hope for a better life?  Do mothers read to their children?  Do people have enough to eat?  Are people happy?

    We fixed lunch and I am glad we had decided not to spend the night.  I left sad.  It had been four months since our departure.  Life in Lodoni for a poor, uneducated woman is very hard.   Life for a poor, uneducated woman in Allegany County is hard.  I am thankful for my life but what happens to the people of Lodoni????? What happens to the people of Allegany County???  Am I looking at life through my eyes only? Am I expecting a life that is like mine?  Are people happy?  What exactly is happiness?