Fiji National Anthem

from w
Quite some time ago Fijians sang a patriotic song – sere ni vanua to the tune ‘Dwelling in Beulah Land’. adapted from a hymn by C. Austin Miles. Many years later, in 1970, the leaders of Fiji wanted a national anthem in English and this tune was suggested and a competition held. I went in it and wrote some sweet words but I didn’t win.

The original Fijian words are as follows and the English song is not a translation of this though.

1. Meda dau doka ka vinakata na vanua
E ra sa dau tiko kina na savasava
Rawa tu na gauna ni sautu na veilomani
Biu na i tovo tawa savasava

CHORUS:
Me bula ga ko Viti
Ka me toro ga ki liu
Me ra turaga vinaka ko ira na i liuliu
Me ra liutaki na tamata
E na veika vinaka
Me oti kina na i tovo ca

2. Bale ga vei kemuni na cauravou e Viti
Ni yavala me savasava na vanua
Ni kakua ni vosota na dukadukali
Ka me da sa qai biuta vakadua

Chorus

The winning anthem is as follows and is sung today. Now the Education Department want flag ceremonies in all schools with the singing of this song. The words are ironic actually but in 1970 there was optimism. The words are by Michael Francis Alexander Prescott.

1. Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
As we stand united under noble banner blue
And we honour and defend the cause of freedom ever
Onward march together God bless Fiji

CHORUS:
For Fiji, ever Fiji, let our voices ring with pride. For Fiji ever Fiji her name hail far and wide,
A land of freedom , hope and glory to endure whatever befall.
May God bless Fiji
Forever more!

2. Blessing grant oh God of nations on the isles of Fiji
Shores of golden sand and sunshine, happiness and song
Stand united , we of Fiji, fame and glory ever
Onward march together God bless Fiji.

Chorus

A note from the internet: The third most common ethnic group on the islands are Indo-Fijians and it was proposed in 2008 that the national anthem be in the three primary languages of the country: English, Fijian, and Hindi. Was the anthem ever translated into Hindi?
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from Fijilive:
Flag raising ceremony a must: Bole
April 15, 2011 09:17:54 AM

Schools in the country have been reminded that flag ceremony is compulsory and students have to memorize the pledge as well as the singing of the national anthem. This has been brought to attention by the Minister for Education, Filipe Fole during his tour to the Secondary Schools in Ra. “It is so moving and inspiring to see students honour their country in conducting the flag ceremony.” Bole said. Bole said student’s involvement in the flag ceremony ensures they are taught loyalty, respect and love for their beloved country. He added that having the flag ceremony in schools is also the basic ground for teaching unity to the children for a multi-cultural nation like Fiji.

By Nasik Swami

Don't bath in that polluted river

from w
I was really disturbed to read that because of a poor water supply to parts of Labasa that some families actually have to wash in the dirty Qawa River, even clean there teeth in the polluted water. This will certainly lead to illnesses. The talk about the pollution caused by the Labasa Sugar Mill just doesn't seem to be heard and acted upon and the Qawa River year after year is a disgrace.

from the Fiji Sun today:
Residents drink, bathe, wash in Qawa River

writer : SHRATIKA NAIDU

4/12/2011
Residents of Bulileka, Labasa, had to resort to drinking water from the Qawa River since they have been without water supply for two months. Qawa River is said to have been contaminated because of industry waste from parts of Labasa Town.

A FijiSun crew caught up with a group of school children brushing their teeth and bathing in the river while their mothers were washing clothes.

Kinisimere Botai, a Class Eight student of Valebasoga Public School, said she did not go to school because there was no water to brush teeth and have shower at home. “At school I was taught that personal hygiene was very important and so with this teaching I decided not to go to school,” Botai said. She said it was dangerous brushing teeth in Qawa River because it was contaminated.

She said it reminded her of the dangers of the recent outbreak of leptospirosis. The eldest of three siblings said she understood that it was not right being absent from school so she stored few gallons of water to take home and use it today.

Arieta Pita, 45, a resident of Bulileka, said there had been frequent water cuts for two months. “Since the first flash floods hit the North on February, the people of Bulileka have been without proper water supply,” Mrs Pita said. The mother of one said for the past few weeks the water would arrived at 2am and lasted for only four hours.

Water Authority of Fiji, in a statement, confirmed that water supply would be restored by tomorrow.

WAF was aware of the disruptions that have been occurring since the bust along the Navau line to the Benau water main was damaged during the flood. The authority said repairs would last a fortnight.

It also mentioned that two trucks were carting water to affected areas like Bulileka, Boca, Vunivau, Basoga and Urata while WAF’s special teams were currently working at the site.

Too much fishing

from w
I thought that many islanders were having trouble getting enough fish for their families because some foreigners were sneaking inside the designated areas to pick up bait. Does Fiji really want more overseas companies trawling around Fiji taking all the good fish, and occasionally the smaller fish. Also who gets the profits - not Fiji people I'm sure. And what's happening in Levuka these days? What studies have been done on fish resources in the Fiji region? What papers have come out recently. The only one I found was on a website about tuna

from Fijilive
Indonesian fishing company set up in Fiji
April 11, 2011 11:46:10 AM

A renowned Indonesian fishing company; Gilontas Ocean Company is setting up its operations in Fiji.

Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said that the setting up of Indonesian fishing company in Fiji is expected to further enhance the prospects of rural and marine based communities.

MINFO reports Commodore Bainimarama made a courtesy call to the head office and operation base of the Gilontas Ocean Company last Friday in Jakarta.

“I am extremely happy and excited that Gilontas has decided to set-up in Fiji and that he and his office will do everything possible to ensure this becomes a full reality.” Commodore Bainimarama said. Commodore Bainimarama based his emphasis on the development of the fisheries sector, which included a specific focus on the tuna industry given the various developments elsewhere in the world.

Gilontas has been in operation over the past 35 years and specialises in the capturing, processing and marketing of fish.

By Nasik Swami
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added later:
Alert on fish stocks
Samantha Rina
Monday, April 18, 2011 from Fiji Times
EMERGING threats to local fisheries resources have prompted the Fisheries Department to expand its awareness campaign on biodiversity. Overfishing, unsustainable fishing practices, unregulated extraction of other marine resources, land-based pollution and overexploitation of sedentary species of holothuria such as bÛche-de-mer were a big concern, the department said.

It said these resources could easily be over-exploited beyond regeneration.
Last week, officers from the department were deployed to the yavusa Nabukebuke's qoliqoli at Vunisoco Village in Namosi for a two-day marine awareness workshop. The department said fishing resources were crucial to local communities for food security and economic independence and although renewable, they could also be easily over-exploited beyond regeneration.

Fisheries research officer Nanise Tuqiri said neighbouring villages would also be alerted about the campaign. "Part of this program is to establish marine protected areas and qoliqoli management plans to conserve reproduction and juvenile growth ecophases," she said.

Workshop participant Taniela Tuivonovono said they used to catch big fishes around the shoreline when they were younger but this had changed. "These days we have to look for alternatives before we decide to go out fishing for we fear of going out to sea and not finding anything to bring back for the family," he said.

Fisheries officers are positive the training will greatly assist the future generation of Vunisoco and neighbouring villages if they take ownership and practise what they have learnt.

Ghosting Miss Mary

from w
An article in today's Fiji Times by Seona Smiles set me on the trail of an Australian artist who lived in Fiji from 1944 after a huge kerfuffle about the Archibald Art prize. She apparently died in 1988 and is buried at the Nasinu cemetery. There's something about Mary alright! Mary Edwards as she once was called, though dismissive of her early life when called Mary Edwards, she then called herself Mary Edwell-Burke after her father and mother. What an interesting woman - one of those loner vavalagi artists or writers who choose to live on a Pacific Island rejecting their own culture for some reason or other. Apparently she lived in a house on a hilltop in the Deuba region at one stage. One time she frightened children when they saw a 'ghost in white' in the middle of the mangroves - just an artist drawing - something that I may also have done! Another time she was mistaken for the 'white lady' ghost at the Royal Hotel in Levuka. (Apparently they have a resident ghost of a missionary's wife who did some transgression but I can't find out the whole story there.)

Mary painted in oils, mainly portraits in a kind of realist style but a bit painterly and colourful. When Dobell was awarded the Archibald in Australia with a lean/mean kind of portrayal of his friend, Mary and other artist were outraged and called it a caricature and went to court over it. Dobell defended the painting of course, and he won. That's when Mary took umbridge and probably had lost her money so set off for Fiji and lived for another 44 years as a colourful expatriate.

She wore white writes one contributor to the internet though a self-portrait has her in flamboyant colours. She apparently disliked children but loved cats. A retrospective of her paintings was put up at one time sponsored by Qantas and Air Pacific and Qantas claimed the rights to ALL the photos of the paintings because they gave her a free plane trip!

Two people - and maybe more - are trying to track down the paintings, especially the one of Ratu Sukuna that was in the Grand Pacific when it was grand - and to write an entry into the net about her, claiming she is much underrated. Qantas has a huge painting by her of Ratu Seru Cakobau - presumably this was copied from a photo. A google search of art sales today shows up prices for her paintings as ranging from only $300 to about $3000 though some suggest $5000, which is not much at all. I wonder if my paintings and drawings - in a few homes in Suva, or down the Coral Coast or elsewhere - will one day be offered for sale on the internet. Nah.

Anyway if you are interested there's a lot about her on two websites - one facebook even under her name and a blog called Travels with Denise in the January 2011 posts.

So what about the Methodist Church?

from w
I read in the on-line version of Radio Fiji that religious gatherings do not need a permit, yet I wonder what are the rulings regarding the up-coming Methodist Conference to be held in August which I have heard is only allowed to gather for one day. That means talking fast, praying fast, eating fast! You can't have one rule for one group, another rule for another religious group.

From Radio Fiji today:
Permit not required for religious gatherings
Wednesday, April 06, 201

Religious organisations do not need to apply for a permit to host religious functions says Solicitor General Christopher Pryde. His comments follow speculations that religious organisations are required to get a permit before organising a function – in this case the Ram Naumi festival which many Hindus are celebrating around the country.

Pryde says there is a provision under the Public Order Act for religious functions. “Under the Public Order Act the religious organisations are exempted from applying for a permit for a gathering. So for religious organisations that have to hold celebrations on a private property anywhere – there is no need to get a permit.
There maybe something the Suva City Council has concerning noise abatement – those sorts of by-laws then of course they will have to abide by the by-laws.”

The Ram Naumi festival will be celebrated by Hindus around the country for the next 7 days.

Aboriginal group visits Labasa

from w
Wnat a beaut idea to send a group of Aboriginal people to visit Fiji and get to know one of the South Pacific cultures. Though their stories and background are so different, there are some commonalities. Both Fijian and Australian Aboriginals are First Nation peoples and both have rich cultures. Over the years of working in Australia as a talatala Peceli has had a lot to do with the indigenous people, starting from his early contacts in Swan Hill, Robinvale and the Mallee and now in Geelong. They have a good relationship and many call him a 'brother'.

from Fiji Times:
Club bridges cultures
Serafina Silaitoga
Wednesday, April 06, 201

ABORIGINAL women Kay Bingham and Tracy Latukulikefu caught the eyes of Labasa residents as they sat on the street bench, oblivious to the commotion they were creating. Even The Fiji Times team was moved by their presence, seated as they were just 10 metres from the office ù so we approached and greeted them. The women seemed content, watching locals carry out what they were in town for. They mentioned their cultural exchange trip to Fiji; Cakaudrove was the starting point of the program.

Without any hesitation, the women said that they were enjoying the hospitality of the Fijian people. "The people here are so friendly and easy to talk to and we have just enjoyed the local environment in Taveuni, Savusavu and we look forward to the Viti Levu trip," said Mrs Latukulikefu. "We are here to learn more about the Fijian culture and get to know the various Fijian protocols, which we have.
"And it's just unique."

The group from Wiluna, North East of Perth came under the banner of Rotary International, Group Study Exchange. Team leader Hugh Lavery said the trip was the first for the Aboriginal community to Fiji. "This idea came up after some Fijians living and working with the community in Wiluna, discussed how good it would be," he said. "We have learnt a lot about the Fijian culture and we are learning more as we continue to visit villages and other places."

The group will visit some villages this week in Namosi, Ra and Wainibuka, Mr Lavery said. He said they would take a group of Fijian people to Wiluna (Australia) this year, in June.

China and the South Pacific

from w
I am not surprised by the story I listened to this morning on the ABC Asia Pacific program.

Loans to Pacific give China leverage: report
China: new banker to the Pacific
Created: Mon, 04 Apr 2011 06:58:44 GMT+1000
Jemima Garrett
Last Updated: 9 hours 43 minutes ago

A new report warns China is gaining political leverage as it rapidly expands its loans to Pacific Island governments. The report, to be released by the Lowy Institute on Tuesday, says China has pledged over $US600 million to the Pacific since 2005. China is the biggest lender to Tonga with loans worth 32 per cent of Tongan Gross Domestic Product.

Samoa and the Cook Islands have loans worth 16 per cent.

The author of the Lowy report, Fergus Hanson, says those funds are increasingly in the form of soft loans rather than grants. He has told Radio Australia that maintaining the support of Pacific nations for China's sovereignty claim over Taiwan may explain the trend.

"One possibility is that they're trying to build up leverage with Pacific island countries in the event that there is a return to dollar diplomacy and diplomatic competition with Taiwan," he said. "There's a need to exert pressure on them to maintain relations with China."

The report says debt burdening and aid co-ordination with China are pressing issues for the Pacific governments, Australia and multilateral aid donors.
Debt distress

In some countries, Chinese debt is threatening to overwhelm.

Tonga's former Finance Minister, Josh 'Utoikamanu, says it is possible that health and education services in Tonga may need to be cut to pay back loans to China. Last week the International Monetary Fund warned Tonga is at risk of debt distress.

Mr 'Utoikamanu told Radio Australia it is very likely that Tonga won't be able to service its debts in future.Tonga's debt servicing commitments are expected to grow between 70 and 100 percent in the next 5 years. Mr 'Utoikamanu warned that if Tonga goes into debt distress it will have to scale back spending on government services to meet its loan repayments.

More story details can be found on Australia Network and Radio Australia websites.

Swimming pool for Labasa

Patrons at the newly opened Gurbachan Singh Swimming Pool in Labasa yesterday 2. Sakiusa Bukalidi, left, enjoys a swim with three-year-old Iliesa Tanivula 3. Wati Vulava with her two daughters Abby, left, and Sera Pictures: TIMOCI VULA.

from w
What a good idea to have a public swimming pool for the kids of babasiga. The only pool I know of is the one at the Grand Eastern Hotel. A pool is better than swimming in the Qawa and Labasa rivers which are often rather foul. And there are so few beaches - Nukutatava, our place, isn't what it used to be and there's a couple of others that mean a taxi or car ride.

From today's Fiji Times

Public pool brings families together
Timoci Vula
Monday, April 04, 2011

RESIDENTS of northern Labasa Town have welcomed the opening of the new public swimming pool they anticipate will be an excellent recreational activity for their families. Leased to the Gurbachan Singh Memorial Trust by the Labasa Town Council, and now called the Gurbachan Singh Swimming Pool, it opened its doors yesterday after almost a decade.

"This is really something new for Labasa, especially on Saturdays," Wati Vulava, a working mother of three said.

"There are no recreational activities here, especially for children so this new pool is really good," the laboratory technician at the Labasa Divisional Hospital said. "It should be good for the children after a week of school to relax, and also for parents to come and de-stress, something to keep us relaxed," Ms Vulava said. "Families can come here for quality time so we hope this will not be the only one and that there will be more introduced here in Labasa.

Another parent, Sakiusa Laladidi was at the pool with his children and his friends children. He said the new pool was greatly appreciated and would create an excellent opportunity to teach swimming classes to Labasa.

Babasiga kid has a birthday

from w
We had a barbecue party last night for our grandson Andrew who is now twelve. About twenty-four people, some touch rugby or was it Aussie rules in the backyard, lots of good food, a trombone recital which caused some interest, and good conversation. Andrew's Mum, Bale, cooked the cake, and Epa looked after the barbecue. Most of the guys just drank kava in the kava saloon in our back yard. Happy birthday Andrew.

I think they call us kind of people Luddites

from w
I'm more on the side of keeping a pristine environment or a rural life that is not tainted by massive earthworks, river pollution, tree felling, so I suppose people like this are called Luddites - or machine breakers as they once were. There are arguments for and against mining development in countries such as Fiji and the current situation in Bua, Vanua Levu is that the landowners have received large cheques for the use of their land, but there are still submissions going in to question just how well the environment - social and physical - will be managed. The rather gross photo here is from a govt collection (oops, not got permission here)

One of Fiji's watchers of such things is Noeline in Suva and she had just published an article looking at the dangers of bauxite mining and its impact. Those who want the mine in Bua can argue that the local men (and maybe women) will get jobs, good roads, electricity and development, as well as fat cheques for landowners and qoliqoli owners. However it is also possible that the Chinese company will bring in their own staff and labourers. Also I do have concerns about the need for massive amounts of water for the project and the damage to the land and sea.

Noelene's article can be found easily and google have already picked it up, and many emails are going around from Fiji to friends far and wide.

From the author:
Hello everyone,

I have just written an article on the planned bauxite mining in Fiji. It is
rather difficult to know how many official submissions have been made
directly to the Ministry for Land and Public Resources right now, so this
article is an alternative submission, if you will...

The article can be found at the DAWN website

Please share this with your networks.

Meanwhile down on the farm

from w
It's been reported that times are so tough in the babasiga area around Labasa town that farmers have to sell some of their farming equipment to put food on the table. Sugar-cane brings little money and Fiji people even have to buy overseas sugar in the shops!
From Fiji Sun
Farmers sell machinery, stock

writer : CAROLINE RATUCADRA

3/26/2011
Desperate for cash, a group of sugarcane farmers in the Northern Division have started selling farm machinery and livestock including fertiliser from their farms. The farm gate sales include bulk fertiliser, surplus farm machinery and spare parts and even working bullocks and cattle. According to these farmers, they have no choice but to look for cash in order to provide for their already-poor families.

National Farmers Union president Surendra Lal said the farmers were looking at alternative measures because they are desperate for cash.

Confirmed reported cases involved farmers from the sectors of Daku, Wainikoro, Waiqele and Buceisau.

“We cannot do much as farmers have suffered a major loss in the last two cane payments. They’re desperate to provide for their families and they will do anything. This is the truth where farmers have had to start, selling from their farms livestock, machinery and fertiliser,” Mr Lal said. He said working bullocks were up for sale to around $2000 and other farming equipment price ranges according to its durability.

Fiji Cane Growers Association chief executive Mohammed Rafiq shared similar sentiments saying that times are hard now especially with the increased cost of living. Mr Rafiq said his office had received reports of farmers selling their farming tools because they needed money. “Livestock are up for sale apart from machinery and this is the reality. Farmers have to earn their living and they will have to sell whatever they’ve got to provide for their families,” Mr Rafiq said.

Fijians in Melbourne

from w
This afternoon we took two cars from Geelong up to Melbourne to St Marks Uniting Church for a combined service with four or more Fijian congregations from different parts of Melbourne. We meet every three months in this way for fellowship, worship, lovely lovo food and of course singing. The church was packed and children were out in the Sunday School for part of the time. Choirs were informal but based on vanua groupings and it is always enjoyable to do this. Tovata were in fine form singing polotu accompanied by a triangle. Here are some photos from today. (In Australia the Methodists joined with the Presbyterians and Congregational churches to for the Uniting Church many years ago but of course there are Fijian families in Melbourne who also belong to penticostal and other denominations.) It was a lovely afternoon of catching up with friends who we have known a long time, and for our eldest son and his family to meet up with those that he knew a few years back before he went overseas to Fiji to work. I took photos of the children (left the church before the sermon, ha ha) who were practicing for their Palm Sunday program.

Where is the compassion?

from w
I've read only a little about the case of the Fijian soldier that got into trouble in England and I wonder now who looked after this man when he probably had some kind of post-traumatic stress. It sounds very sad and I wonder about the Fiji Embassy in England or whoever is taking up his case.
from Fijilive
Uluilakeba homeless in UK
March 19, 2011 06:14:37 PM
Former British army Soldier Epeli ‘Pex’ Uluilakeba now faces being homeless after British Army Defense of Officials (MoD) ordered him off MoD property.

Officials of Dr Liam Fox the British Secretary of Defense had ordered Uluilakeba to leave after discovering that he had been living with a Fijian friend on Ministry of Defense property, reports Daily Telegraph.

Uluilakeba’s case has been put to the British Home office by a charity worker for Veterans Aid, an organisation that helps homeless British Veterans.

Uluilakeba is being threatened with deportation because he temporarily took to heavy drinking, leading him on one occasion to wave a bread knife at a fellow soldier.

He was jailed and discharged from the Army with only the clothes on his back.

Uluilakeba was badly injured in Iraq in 2005 when his Snatch Land Rover was blown up by a bomb that killed three of his comrades.

By Tevita Vuibau
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more of the story from Pacnews:
Fijian man in British Army fight for UK residency
By Online Editor
2:54 pm GMT+12, 01/03/2011, United Kingdom

Private Epeli Uluilakeba with his comrades in 2005 A Fijian man who has served in the British army and was wounded in Iraq says he will refuse to leave the UK, even if the British Government rejects his re-application for permanent residency.

Epeli Uluilakeba was wounded during his first tour of Iraq and sent back for a second stint.

Private Uluilakeba was later dismissed from the British Armed Forces after serving time in a military prison for threatening a fellow soldier.

Both he and his supporters say the military didn't provide him with enough physical or physiological support, and are vowing to fight to allow him to stay in the UK.

Presenter: Stephanie March
Speaker: Epeli Uluilakeba, former soldier in the British Armed Forces from Fiji

MARCH: In the eight years that allied forces have been in Iraq.... thousands of Fijians have served there as part of the British Armed Forces. One of them is 28-year old Private Epeli Uluilakeba. His was first deployed to Iraq in 2005.

ULUILAKEBA: So we went to Iraq and then we got blown up by the improvised explosive device, you call it IED, which killed three of my colleagues, two of us survived.

MARCH: He was evacuated, and returned to the UK for medical treatment. Within a year, he was sent back to Iraq.

ULUILAKEBA: I can't say no, you know? Because the army policy you have to go, you can't reject them.

MARCH: After returning from his second tour, Private Uluilakeba's mental health started to decline.

ULUILAKEBA: I told them I have dreams like I'm angry all the time, and I drink heavily and I couldn't stop so I started to see psychiatric (sic) , and it didn't really help me, and they kept discharging me from psychiatric

MARCH: Private Uluilakeba's heavy drinking became a serious problem. He threatened a fellow soldier with a knife at a military base. He was court martialled and sentenced to a year in a military prison. He was let out after seven months for good behaviour, the army discharged him as "no longer being of service". Fijian soldiers have to serve with the British Army for 22 years, to gain the maximum benefits, like residency and a pension. With little to go back to in Fiji, Private Uluilakeba applied for a permanent residency permit to stay in the UK. Without citing a reason, it was rejected by the Foreign Office. Private Uluilakeba is living rent-free with some of his Fijian cousins in England. He's is not allowed to claim benefits, work, or open a bank account. Through the mother of one of his fellow soldiers killed in the IED blast, Private Uluilakeba has found some supporters in the UK. Elaine Laga, who lost her own soldier son, is one of them. She says the military and the government have treated Private Uluilakeba unfairly.

LAGA: I don't think he should have been discharged from the army 'services no longer required', I think he should have had medical discharge or had proper treatment for PTSD.

MARCH: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

LAGA: Yes, definitely. I think a little more care and attention should have been paid to him really.

MARCH: Ms Laga says while Private Uluilakeba is still struggling to deal with the things he witnessed in Iraq, he has stopped drinking alcohol and tried to turn his life around.

LAGA: You know he's kind of pulled things together for himself. At the weekend he was out with another group of lads helping the homeless and distributing things to the homeless and distributing things to the homeless. And he is a real devoted Christian. To me he is a good person and he deserves a break,

MARCH: It's not clear how long it will take for the British Government to decide on his second application for permanent residency. He says regardless of the outcome he has no intention of leaving the United Kingdom.

ULUILAKEBA: If the result come back and then get rejected again, I will stay here and I will fight for this until I get it. I won't leave this country until I get this.

MARCH: Do you have any advice for other Fijians, young Fijians who are in the military back in Fiji, what would you say to them about going on tour with the British military?

ULUILAKEBA: If they want to join, it's up to them. I can't stop them. But the only thing I can say is if they join they have to stand by themselves, they have to stand by the truth, to fight for them(selves), like what I am doing now. Because if I didn't do this thing, then who might be the one to do it later on. Because they didn't really treat the Fijians very well in this country. I can say that.

SOURCE: RADIO AUSTRALIA PACIFIC BEAT/PACNEWS

Making a lovo, again and again

from w
Two weeks ago we made a lovo for Eperama's 19th birthday, and today another one for a friend, Christine, who is having a birthday party tonight. The men and boys in the family, plus friends, make a good job of it. Here are pictures from those two tasks. Now I know where my blankets are getting to!

Shelter boxes and other matters

from w
As aid starts moving to help the desperate situation in Japan, one project by Rotary is worthy of attention. This is about Shelterboxes and this is one practical kind of aid to emergency situations. Kits are designed to suit certain environments and issues, but the kits going to Japan include:

• A custom-made shelter tent that fits up to 10 people, designed to withstand extreme temperatures and rain. It even has privacy partitions inside.
• Thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets.
• Water purification system that runs for six months.
• Industrial-grade steel mini stove that can use wood or any other fuel, for heating and cooking.
• Cooking utensils.
• Bowls, mugs, and other containers.
• Toolbox with hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters.
• A children pack with drawing books, crayons and pens, to keep the kids distracted after losing all their toys.
• The heavy duty box can be used to store anything, from food to water.
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A couple of bloggers I read occasionally live in Japan. One blog site worth reading at present is Life in the Land of the Rising Sun written by a music teacher. His two most recent posts show what it was like during the past week. A very worthwhile read.

Once a home, now what next?

from w
Words cannot describe the suffering in Japan this week. Like the panic after a nightmare, the people want to wake up to an ordinary day, but it is just so very sad.

Isa, farewell Joan

from w
I was saddened to read of the passing of a former teaching colleague, Joan Raj Singh, a lovely woman who I knew many years ago at Dudley High School but then lost touch.

Education mentor passes on

writer : GEORGE RUBINE
3/15/2011
A longtime teacher and educator in the local education sector died in India at the age of 74. Joan Raj Singh passed away in Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on Friday, March 4. Mrs Raj Singh had an extensive career in education in Fiji where she taught at Dudley High School, Suva Grammar, Marist Brothers High School and the University of the South Pacific. She was born in Rangoon, Burma and grew up all over India where her father was a government official.

She came to Fiji in 1961 after her post-graduate studies in India when she married Raj Singh whom she met at university. Among other things, she was extensively involved in curriculum development for senior English and English Literature as Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education.

She also organized and choreographed the numerous Indian dances for the Fiji Independence Celebrations on October 10, 1970. Joan Raj Singh was very active in a wide variety of social and philanthropic activities in Suva.

These include serving on the Vestry of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, the organising committees of the Hibiscus Festival, the Secondary Schools Music Festival, and the Flower Show, being a Representative to the Fiji Council of Churches, Treasurer of the Fiji National Council of Women, a member of the Fiji Arts Council and PASEAWA.

But her most significant achievement was as a teacher and mentor to hundreds of young people over the forty years she lived in Fiji.

Vinaka Gary Eckert and Fiji Meteological Service

from w
I found some super photos of our mataqali land including Vatudamu Hill where the radar tower was built. Thanks to Gary Eckert and Fiji Meteological Service for the scores of pictures on facebook. Here are a few of them showing the process of building the tower and the necessary infrastructure. Vatudamu of course is very much 'babasiga' kind of land, dry and sunburnt!