We’re back on the beeb, and later (in a jools holland stylee) tonight Paradise or Bust, Episode 2, ‘Epeli and his chainsaw’ are back in action.
For those who haven’t been following the tribe recently here are some updates…
Tribewanted as of June 2008
On-Vorovoro
Since September 2006, over 700 tribe members have visited Vorovoro for an average of 10 days
The island has reached its capacity of 30 during 2008, and now faces the problem of having to turn people away!
22 Chief’s aged 19 to 60 have been elected by Tribewanted’s social network and co-managed a monthly development budget of $6000 on Vorovoro
Over £250,000 has been spent by Tribewanted locally in Fiji on the project, creating a new mini-economy in the Mali region.
The strengthening relationship between the global and local community has led to a more in-depth cultural exchange with the Fijian team taking more senior leadership roles on the island. The island community’s manager, Tevita, has even talked of his vision for Vorovoro to become the cultural capital of Northern Fiji!
Sustainability Projects have progressed with over 20% of the community’s food now coming from the gardens planted since the 2007 cyclone. Landfill waste has been cut to less than 15% of all waste produced.
On-line
The Tribewanted network has swelled to 10,000 in 2008 and this innovative project was recognised at the Broadcast Digital Media Awards when it beat My Space to win ‘Best Social Network’
The tribe are currently compiling the best of year two for a digital magazine, Vorovoro soundtrack and podcast mini-series to be launched in September 2008
My plans
After returning to the UK in October 2007 I have spent my time sharing his adventure and planning Tribewanted’s future including the launch of Tribewanted: LIVE, mini mobile events closer to the projects members. The first event in Cornwall included an introduction to sustainable living at James Strawbridge’s farm and a trip to the Eden Project. Future events incude Solar Powered boats in the Lake District, floating islands in Holland and Wind turbine climbing in Norfolk!
I head back to Fiji this July to help guide the project into its third year and plan for a possible longer-term partnership with Tui Mali and the local Fijian community. I also hope to help set-up a fair trade co-operative in the area.
As for the tax situation, Tribewanted continues to pay its own self-assessed VAT on those that visit Vorovoro. The larger tax invoice issued by Fiji’s inland revenue remains disputed.
“We have a great foundation. Vorovoro has provided a spring-board for Tribewanted to build more tribes online and off that educate, engage and empower more local and global communities. We survived our early scares and we are now working hard to turn this momentum into something that positively impacts more and more people’s lives. Sega na leqa!”
Follow and join in with Tribewanted today
What part will you play?
After the huge success of the first screening – we’re going to be gathering again in central London for the second episode of ‘Paradise or Bust’
All welcome from 7pm for drinks, kava, and a little slice of drama from the South Pacific.
This will be Ulai’s last screening before he returns to Fiji.
Will be back at SWAY BAR near Holborn tube in central London.
Let us know if you plan any other screenings around the country!
You can also watch the programme again at 11:20 pm on BBC2 on Tuesday + anytime in the next 7 days on BBC i-player.
See you from 7pm Monday.
Ben
Have you seen Episode 2 of Paradise or Bust? Share your thoughts here!
Also, this is the place to share behind-the-scenes information. The story of Tribewanted doesn’t just happen on the island – what has it been like online and off the island?
Synopsis:
Programme 2. The Island of Vorovoro is open for business, and the first 13 members of this 21st century internet “tribe” are living and working alongside an ancient Fijian tribe. Led by 26 year old Ben Keene they are now working together to tackle their first major construction project – building a traditional Fijian house, which will be one of the biggest in Fiji.
As these two tribes settle in to life on the Island, relationships start to build, but a fire breaks out and this crisis causes a power struggle, which ends in tears, and staff member Becky is forced to make a tough decision.
Paradise Or Bust
BBC2, 9pm
28/01/2008
You can practically hear the voice-over man grinding his teeth.
The fledgling eco-community on the Fijian island of Vorovoro experiences its first proper drama and where are the camera crew?
After spending weeks filming the tribe’s adventures with composting toilets, they left the island with two of the tribe’s founders, Ben and Dan, the night before.
So instead of spectacular footage of Vorovoro’s first bushfire in 15 years, what we have is Becky, the island’s TV presenter, explaining why she didn’t agree with the orders to evacuate everyone off the island.
“If it gets too bad, the sea’s just there,” she points out, before packing her bags and evacuating for good.
AdvertisementStill nobody said that starting an island utopia via the internet was going to be straightforward.
As another motley bunch of visitors arrive from around the world in search of paradise, the online tribe footing the bill for this Fijian fandango are growing hostile because they’re not getting regular updates (hardly surprising when there’s no electricity on the island, let alone a Wi-fi hotspot).
“People think we’re trying to make a quick buck out of this and it’s painfully obvious we’re not,” insists Ben, who’s having to ship in barges of fresh water at £1,000 a time and needs a flood of new subscriptions in order to stay afloat. But the star of tonight’s show is local builder Epeli, whose approach to construction would bring Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud out in hives.
To make a village hall, he doesn’t need an architect, or plans, or a pencil – just a chainsaw and a pair of flip-flops.
It’s like an episode of Casualty waiting to happen.
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