TIMEOUT!

My blog is temporarily delayed due to computer problems here.  I will be up and running soon!!!
We are going to Ovalau, a historical island off the coast, next week so we will have lots to share.........

THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY....

The NCD team and Reproductive Health Team are training 15 new Community Health Workers this week at Viseisei.  Dr. Tukana came and spoke on wellness.  Joe gave a talk today on THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE UGLY in regards to fats in our diet.  It was great! (OK, I'm a bit prejudiced!)
  .Dr. Swaran and Dr. Rajat continue to teach and empower us all.  We are thankful to be a part of it all
   The NCD team talked today on Nutrition, Diabetes, Heart Attacks, Coronary Artery Disease.  Tomorrow the Reproductive Health team will speak on SEX!!!!!!  The Community Health Workers will go back to their villages and settlements and help in promoting wellness, healthy lifestyle choices, and education.  Will this help in decreasing non-communicable diseases in Fiji????

I think he looks like Sean Connery now......

It has taken us awhile to appreciate the natural, unmanicured beauty of Fiji, understand the culture a bit and enjoy life here.  But we do.  We can see why Peace Corps requires a two year commitment. We are slowly becoming part of a community, developing relationships and "seeing" Fiji.  It is a great experience!

OUR LOVE, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS....

Our love, thoughts and prayers to Mary Lois, Kevin and Ian.....We celebrate Dan's life.  He lives forever in our hearts.  He certainly made all our lives special.     Lotsa Love,  Joe and FA

Fiji/Group 89

What a great group of incredible people.  We are honored to serve with each and every one.
Thanks......

SIGATOKA SAND DUNES and a visit with Mary....

One of Fiji's natural highlights, the Sand Dunes have been forming for millions of years as sediments brought down by the Sigatoka River are washed ashore by the surf and blown into dunes by the waves. The Sand Dunes were declared Fiji's first national park in 1989.  Archeological excavations have uncovered pottery more than 2600 years old and one of the largest burial sites in the Pacific.  We climbed up the sand dunes to the ocean, through the mahogany forest and back.

A VISIT TO MARY'S "HOME"......We traveled to Sigatoka, about 2 hours for us on the bus.  We passed many little villages and roadside markets on the way......  After climbing the Sand Dunes,

  we had dinner and overnight with Mary.  Thanks Mary for a great visit!

Mary's little house.....she has created a beautiful "HOME".  Loved the indoor/outdoor shower, your garden, Fiji Bitter nightstand......

Mary's neighbor brought flowers....

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

Viseisei Sai Health Center celebrated World Breastfeeding Week with the dedication of their new Breastfeeding Support Room for mothers and families.
   Project Butterfly was a four hour workshop for mothers and children with the goal of empowering mothers.  Lecture presentations, interactive activities and artwork was used to address topics related to breastfeeding, parenting, Non-communicable diseases.  The culminating event was mothers and children painting butterflies with an NCD message on each.

Our Breastfeeding STARS!

We celebrated World "Latch On" Day at 10:30AM on Friday, August 2, 2013.  

Mothers received shoulder massages.

Mother demonstrating our new double electric breast pumps donated by Medela.

Mothers and babies celebrating World Breastfeeding Week with a tea at VSHC.

Lauren Shivagra, PCV from Vanabulawalu was a guest speaker at Project Butterfly. Her creativity and enthusiasm was fantastic.  She painted a mural to celebrate mothers and families.  It hangs proudly in our Clinic.  Thank you LAUREN!