Some minor news

from w
A fwo items from Labasa are in today's news but other news don't make it such as a special meeting in Queenbeayan in Australia with a line-up with an urgent message on Fiji politics. Not an unexpected lot except for the the one who took a trip on a sailin' ship and reached Nukualoafa where he made a stop! The blogs are overtime though of course with the stories and the speeches are predictable, even for one on a tourist visa.

Congratulations to students in Labasa.
Labasa Graduation
THREE hundred students of the National Employment Centre have secured jobs in the tourism industry since November last year.
A training program conducted by the Service Pro-Centre under the NEC has so far educated more than 1000 unemployed individuals in the hospitality and tourism sector.
Centre director Epi Gonewai said the graduates had obtained jobs in the laundry section, housekeeping, front office and food and beverage.
Addressing 102 students at the NEC graduation ceremony in Labasa yesterday, Mr Gonewai said the students' efforts and sacrifices had paid off. He said their participation in the eight weeks of training had reflected a positive image of the Northern Division.
"They have shown their interest in the economy and have chosen a career path that will boost economic growth," Mr Gonewai said.

Excellent news for Labasa to have a tourist ship in and visitors enjoying the mangroves and shopping.

Ship visits Labasa
From Fiji times
HISTORY has been created for Labasa after it was visited by Captain Cook Cruises' MV Reef Endeavour yesterday.
Popular Indian music nagada welcomed about 80 tourists from the cruise as they stepped out of buses to attend a cultural event organised by the Labasa Multicultural Centre at Civic Centre.
Cruise management director Sydney, Anthony Haworth said the Northern Division has been a wonderful site.
"This cultural cruise provides the opportunity to explore the north and get a feel of the various lifestyles," Mr Haworth said.
"This is the first time for such a cruise and the passengers are overwhelmed with the various cultural experiences and the generosity of people.
"The people are friendly and always smiling. We have experienced Polynesian and Micronesian cultures and now we are experiencing the beauty of Indian and Fijian cultures." Their next destination was the Dreketi River ù the deepest river in Fiji.
Tui Macuata Ratu Aisea Katonivere said the arrival of the visitors to the north was a positive response for the Look North Policy. He said the cruise management will plan a seven-day trip bimonthly.

And, no longer a holiday for Fiji's honoured gentleman, some schools still do remember.

Remembering Ratu Sukuna
From Fiji Sun

Students, parents and teachers of Saint Augustine Public School in Labasa gathered at the school on Friday to commemorate the life of the late Ratu Sir Josefa Lalabalavu Vanayaliyali Sukuna.
Chief guest and Ministry of Education senior education officer for Bua and Macuata, Peni Saune said Ratu Sukuna was one of Fiji’s heroes who would be remembered, not only as the ‘Father of the Modern Day Fiji’, but for his contribution to education.
“His illustrious career, his achievements, his wisdom and foresight speak volumes of a great man whose influence on our people are immense,” Mr Saune said.
He told the students that Ratu Sukuna remains an exemplary role model because he was a man of discipline and persevered to achieve his goal.
“The legacy he left behind remains a challenge, not only for our students, but also for modern day leaders,” Mr Saune said.
“Ratu Sukuna’s education complemented his status. He was a descendant of Bau and Lau royalty and no other chief held a university degree during his time.”
Through his hard work, he said, the decorated chief earned the respect of his people.
“Many people remembered him for promoting the learning of traditional skills in handicraft, fishing and farming to prevent estranging us from our identity.”
“Tavelling from village to village, Ratu Sukuna listened to the common people and took their concerns back to the colonial authority.
“The adage ‘Man’s greatest gift is remembrance’ reminds us to remember our heroes who have sacrificed their lives for the betterment of our beloved Fiji.”
He thanked the school for commemorating the life of a scholar and statesman who had left many inspirational footprints in Fiji.
Ratu Sukuna was born in 1888 into a chiefly family on Bau. His father, Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, was the son of the Bauan noble and rebel leader Ratu Mara Kapaiwai.
Ratu Sukuna did not live to see Fiji gain independence. He died en route to England on the ship Arcadia, on May 30, 1958.

Sweet and sour in Labasa

from w
Painting murals in Labasa is a new thing, and a great idea. A band of youth got together to paint the world in a children's park - way to go.
Teens on world mission
Theresa Ralogaivau
Friday, January 15, 2010We are the world ... the youths of Labasa painted this mural during the school holidays
A WORLD mural brought together a band of Labasa teenagers who had a lot of time on their hands and very little to do during the school holidays. As the mural took shape, the boys bonded and formed strong friendships. Painting the town's first ever mural also fostered in them a community spirit and opened their eyes and their minds to the world that they live in.

Peace Corp volunteer Monte Shalett said the mural took a month to complete.

"We involved a group of youths from the primary to the secondary school level, wanting them to be part of something productive during the school break," he said yesterday. We consulted with school teachers and discovered that geography knowledge was an area that was lacking so we knew painting the world map would be a good idea."

The mural, painted on the walls of a building beside the children's park, is an eye grabber.

"This would be a way for children who come to the park to learn about world geography, and know about the world beyond Fiji," Mr Shalett said. "Aside from this, the lessons the boys who painted the mural have learnt is to be productive with their spare time and to give back to the community.

"If they learn this from their early age, it will be something they will carry through in life." Mr Shalett said yesterday plans were already in place for other murals to be painted around Labasa town, but involving a larger number of youths. The new school year begins in the last week of January.

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However not everything is sweet, there's a sour note with a story about the beating of a girl because she dressed in cargo pants and not a skirt! Come on, it's 2010!
Bashed for wearing pants
THERESA RALOGAIVAU
Friday, January 15, 2010
Clothes gone wrong ... Asenaca Vunibola, right, with her father Tui and mother Sala after her traumatic experience at Naqai outside Labasa yesterday.
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl is in shock after she was punched and beaten with a stick by her village headman for wearing a singlet and three-quarter pants.

But police in the Northern Division yesterday backed the girl's right not be assaulted over the clothes she wore.

The incident happened at midday yesterday at Naqai Village, about four kilometres outside Labasa.

The police confirmed Asenaca Vunibola was leaving the village for town with her mother when the headman, Naisa Tagiwavoli, confronted her.

Children playing nearby confirmed witnessing Mr Tagiwavoli assault Ms Vunibola with a stick as she lay on the ground trying to ward off the blows.

Mr Tagiwavoli admitted to the Fiji Times he beat the girl, saying she had broken the village dress code for females and had "talked back" at him.

"I also did that to teach her a lesson because, as daughter of the turaga ni Yavusa of Naqai, who is my elder brother, she couldn't be breaking the law while other girls were abiding by it," Mr Tagiwavoli said.

"There are village laws that have been approved by the police and the provincial council and these must be respected."

But police spokesman Sergeant Suliano Tevita said the headman had no legal authority to beat up anyone to enforce village laws.

Ms Vunibola, who suffered bruises, said she was shocked when her uncle pounced on her as her mother Sala stood helplessly by.

"I can't believe I was beaten up over what I was wearing," she said. "He slapped me and punched me in the back before hitting me with a stick.

"Times have changed and they are trying to enforce the traditional way of dressing which is hard for the young generation to accept."

Ms Vunibola's father, Tui Vunibola, said he accepted there were village laws to be respected and followed but that did not mean assaulting people to enforce them.

"There are avenues that can be followed and what he did was just unacceptable," Mr Vunibola said.

Ms Vunibola was taken to Labasa Hospital for a medical examination and treatment.

Village elder Vilikesa Raitiqa said women were forbidden to wear pants, vests or sleeveless tops in public. "And yet women break these laws, so they need to be enforced," he said."What they wear outside the village is their business."

The police are monitoring developments in the village as tensions flare over the issue. Last week, Labasa police also looked into complaints that police officers were dictating to residents the kind of clothes to wear. In response, Inspector Atu Sokomuri said the police had no role in deciding what people wore.

Meanwhile in babasiga land...

from w
While decisions and declarations in Suva are seemingly made around the kava bowl, ordinary things are going on in Labasa - the traffic lights don't work, there are not many fish at the market, and people struggle on to live their lives as gracefully as possible. One newspaper, short of stories from the capital, have little stories from the Friendly North. Vina'a va'alevu Fiji Sun journo.
Concern over lights
1/14/2010

The only traffic light at the main crossing in the middle of Labasa Town has not been working for the past few months. That means pedestrians have a longer wait before they get a chance to cross the road.

One pedestrian, Ratu Iliesa Kationivere, said he got very frustrated waiting for endless minutes at the crossing for the vehicles to give to people wanting to cross the road. “This is the busiest time as parents come with their children to buy school stationery,” Ratu Iliesa said. He said it had been many months since the traffic lights had been covered over.

A Namara resident, Rohitesh Raj, said many times he had seen people with disabilities facing great difficulty trying to cross the road because no one paid them any attention. “When the traffic light was working they just pressed the stop button and after a short wait vehicles would stop,” he said. He said people put their lives at risk trying to cross the road there now. Mr Raj said it would be better if a policeman was stationed there until the lights were repaired.

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And another story about a man living at Tuatua housing in Labasa although the heading of the article is a bit of a spin.
Williams supports State reforms
1/14/2010
Former Labasa mayor Lesile Williams supports Government’s reform programmes.
Mr Williams, 81, lives in Tuatua Housing outside Labasa Town. “When I look at what Government is doing to develop our country, I remember the days when I was the Labasa Town mayor,” he said. He said Government’s work on building new roads, bridges, and schools made people’s lives better. “It is good to hear that the plight of people living in interior areas is considered by Government,” he said.

Mr Williams was born in Levuka, Ovalau on August 14, 1929.

He said serving as a mayor had been challenging. He was sworn-in as Labasa mayor on October 21, 2006. “Many times my councillors refused to listen to me and walked out the door leaving me sitting alone in the meeting. Sometimes I did not know what to do and felt like stepping down. My grandmother, Adi Sauca Lalabalavu used to tell me to never give up easily and always face challenges,” he said.

Mr William is now retired and spends most of his time doing backyard gardening.

“I feel peace at home and very grateful to God for giving me supportive children who look after me well now,” he said.

Okay, okay, I've changed my mind

from w
For the sake of those who do log in to babasiga despite the eyes peering over their shoulders, I will continue to post! The busy bee journos from Labasa (Fiji Times and Fiji Sun) give us stories of Ravenish and his watermelons in the Labasa market, kindergarten kids graduating at the Cawaira settlement near Labasa, a footpath in Naseakula village, and donors from Korea extending the Labasa hospital. Nice positive stories spinning good times - (because other stories cannot be told). Here is one of the stories. Ah, those people up North are pragmatists!
Villagers celebrate construction of footpath

11/25/2009
Women of Nasekula Village, Labasa were busy preparing a feast yesterday. The feast was in appreciation for the work the community was undertaking - the construction of a footpath throughout the village. Community members and people of Nasekula are working together to build footpath of 400 meters long.

Former Police Inspector Leone Nuimataiwalu and leader of the footpath project said it was very important to have a footpath in the village for many reasons. “During wet season it is very difficult to walk in the village because the ground becomes very muddy and footprints are left behind,” said Mr Nuimataiwalu. He said children found it difficult to walk to school during rainy season as their uniform got stained with mud. The footpath will lead right up along the track to Nasekula District School.

Retired Head teacher Josateki Rokotovitovi and a member of the community said they felt it was very important to have a footpath as Nasekula is a chiefly village and most gatherings took place there. “The building of the footpath will uplift the standard of the village,” said Mr Rokotovitovi. He added that about $10,000 was provided by the Government after various application forms were filled in and $4,000 was contributed by the villagers for building a footpath. Work began last month and hopefully will end by end of this month.

Update of 'switched at birth' story

Eternal love ... Sofia Maleti and her son Filimone at their home
from w
The story of two babies accidentally switched at birth in the Labasa hospital several years ago is here updated. The first time I read about this story was in Maiviti and I posted it in this babasiga blog some time ago. The situation raises many questions to ponder about identity and race in Fiji.

Raising the other boy
By THERESA RALOGAIVAU
Saturday, June 27, 2009

WHEN fate or gross human error dealt Sofia Maleti a cruel blow giving her a baby that was not her natural born child, the 33-year-old Matalolo villager stuck up her chin and faced the music to protect her son.

"They would stare at my son Filimone and whisper or even say to his face that he was not a 'kaiviti'," she said. "It hurt me, not because I knew it was true, but because it was not our fault," she added.

On the 1st of August 1994 Mrs Maleti gave birth to a healthy baby boy at the Labasa hospital. She was elated with her new bundle of joy who was also her first-born. A few days later she was discharged but with a different child; with the son of an Indo-Fijian woman from Seaqaqa. "I really didn't notice anything until people started talking and they questioned my faithfulness to my husband," she said. "Some said I had committed adultery and already cheap talk started making waves in the village."

"To make matters worse my son was from a different race and had wavy hair and looked like no one else in the family," she said. "Everywhere we went they stared, talked and pointed and it was a very hard time for us as a family," she said. "I used to fight for him, protect him like a mother hen because I loved him dearly."

Sometimes in 1995 Mrs Maleti stumbled upon the truth while visiting in Seaqaqa. "Someone told my husband that there was a boy who looked like a 'kaiviti' growing up in a Muslim family in the area."

"When I walked up to the family, and I saw some of the children run out and I saw the striking resemblance they had with 'Mone' I knew in my heart that this was his natural family," she said.

"Then I saw the baby 'Mone's' natural mother was carrying and knew he was mine," she said. "We both cried for all the misery and pain that we had gone through as mothers whose babies were switched at birth."

Both families decided on a switchback date some months later but when the day did arrive it wasn't as easy as planned.

"I couldn't give him up, I wanted my natural son back but at the same time I couldn't give up 'Filimone'," she said. "Even though I knew for certain he was not my natural born child that didn't make a dent on how I felt or cared for him because I had breast fed him and raised him as I would my own."

"And he just didn't want to go."

The stares, the criticism and the pointed fingers did not end there and many times racial slurs reduced Mrs Maleti to bitter tears. "They questioned my decision to raise a boy from another race as my own, why didn't I just give him up now that I knew he was not my natural born."

"Since he is my eldest child he is expected to take over the leadership of our mataqali when my husband passes on but already there is opposition because of his race."

"When I look at him I only see a son, not a boy from another race. I'm telling him to study hard because I worry about his future here in this village. Already he gets caught up in punch ups because they call him racist names and he doesn't like it. He often tells me that even though he looks like an Indian, he feels like a Fijian. I worry about him a lot but I know I have the strength to carry on because I love him no matter what."