Apenisa Bogiso (Tui Mali)
Island Chief
Tui Mali (pronounced ‘Twee Marlee’) is Chief of the Yavusa tribe which live in four small fishing villages on the adjacent island. Tui Mali, his brother Poasa, and their families live in two small houses on Vorovoro where he is the chief landowner. Tui Mali has welcomed the new tribe to his home and is looking forward to living and working with them. The partnership between Tui Mali’s tribe and our tribe will be reinforced by community projects that we actively and financially support in the nearby villages. Tribe members will be able to visit the local schools and help in specific development work.
“Vorovoro is your home. You are very welcome.”
Ben Keene (“Bengazi”)
Tribewanted Founder
Status: On the move …
Ben is the co-founder of Tribewanted, the first social media network with real world projects, journeys and events.
Previously Ben worked for three years as a Director for Madventurer in both the UK & Africa, before founding Career Break Cafe & in 2006, Tribewanted.
Ben spent the first year and a half of the project living in Fiji, and now visits twice annually.
“In two years Vorovoro has become the physical and aspirational rock upon which we are building our story. It is chapter one for a new adventure in fairer travel, better living and good business. It is a story that I hope will benefit and inspire many people in the future.
Where the story goes exactIy I cannot tell you – but you can help shape it, build it, write it. Without you there is no story.
So if you enjoyed chapter one, join us – come to Vorovoro if you can, and if not become part of what we’re starting to do beyond Fiji. Our island home doesn’t just start and end in the blue of the South Pacific. It is everywhere.
See you on the beach. Vinaka for your support and hard work so far. Talo na yaqona!“
When not in Fiji he is often sharing the Tribewanted story at schools, universities and organisations, attending a tribal gathering or running somewhere.
Ben is now developing Tribewanted as a social enterprise beyond Vorovoro, looking at ways to build networks globally (online) and locally (off) that focus on adventure, sustainability and exploring what it means to be part of a community in the 21st century.
Awards
Ben’s vision & values for Tribewanted
Contact > ben@tribewanted.com
Media opportunities > sl@wma.com
Tevita Ratu
Community Manager
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Tevita is the heart and soul of the project. A trusted friend of Tui Mali, he is able to effectively bridge the gap between western and Fijian culture on a daily basis. Born with a distinctive birth mark on the palm of his hands, Tevita was destined to be something special. As former Chief of the Ra province on Viti Levu, he carries a wealth of knowledge within him which he truly enjoys sharing with members of the tribe. His fellow Fijians regard him almost like a prophet, for example, he predicted the world would come to Vorovoro long before Tribewanted arrived. Tevita is the driving force of Team Fiji and helps lead the horticultural side with Liavi. The project’s success has a lot to do with this man.
“Enjoy your stay here, this is your home. Feel free to be a member of this family. I am the bridge of the two communities so feel free to ask me any questions.”
Contact Tevita by email: tevita@tribewanted.com
Sailasa Leavi
Landscaping & Horticulture Manager
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Leavi (also known as Crimestopper) is the caretaker of the gardens on Vorovoro alongside Tevita. The main fruits of their labour can be found in the gardens, where everything from corn to watermelon to limes can be found. He advocates speaking to the plants and insists they like Bob Marley music best. He is an accomplished musician and has become an institution around the grog bowl – you will often find him performing various songs after the sun goes down.
“The plants are like my children because everyday I look at them and ask if they are OK. How are you baby? You OK? Would you like to drink some water?”
Osipani Marau
Village Manager
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Jokingly known as ‘Tata’ (father) around the grog bowl, Marau truly is a father figure for the tribe. As a boat captain, village manager, and expert fisherman, Marau is one of the tribe’s biggest providers. Simply put, the tribe would not be the same without his involvement.
“Come to Vorovoro, come help and build this village. Maybe catch some fish, big fish.”
Api Masicola
Boat Captain
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Api is the embodiment of everything that is great about Fiji and its culture. Originally from Kia (one of Vorovoro’s neighbouring islands), Api is one of our trusted boat captains. On Vorovoro he can normally be found joking around with tribe members, playing guitar at the grog bowl, or just generally helping out around camp.
“I am the Boat Captain, boat management. I look after the boat, make it clean, look after the fuel – make sure we have enough for all the trips, everything… make everything safe. I enjoy it so much. The best part is going out snorkeling and surfing with the reef trip.”
Jone Robinson
Boat Captain
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Forming half of the Api and Johnny comedic duo, Johnny is one of our regular boat captains on Vorovoro. Living in nearby Nakawaqa, Johnny is a funny guy, who always makes those around him feel comfortable.
“Eeeehoooooooooo!”
Epeli Asaseia (“Pupu”)
Foreman and Village Elder
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
A regular face on Vorovoro, Pupu Epeli is one of the most popular Fijians involved with Tribewanted. As a respected member of the Fijian community, and with an unmatched level of knowledge, his input and involvement with the projects on Vorovoro has been invaluable, and is greatly appreciated by the tribe. Especially popular with the female members of our tribe, Pupu has a physique that is better than men 40 years his junior, and goes to show that you don’t need to be a member of a gym to stay in outstanding shape.
“Nothing is hard in this world.”
Poasa Tutaqa
Deputy Island Chief / On-Site Worker
Status: Currently living on Vorovoro
As Tui Mali’s brother, and permanent resident on Vorovoro, Poasa is another regular face on Vorovoro. In Tui Mali’s absence, Poasa can sometimes be found sharing Tui Mali’s ceremonial responsibilities on Vorovoro. When he’s not helping out on island development projects he is currently assembling a skeleton of a baby sperm whale in his garden.
“My door is always open to you so you can come and escape to Vorovoro anytime.”
Isreali Tale
On-Site Worker
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Having been involved in projects on Vorovoro since the early days,
Tale is as much a part of our framework as anyone. Known for his
uniquely distinctive laugh, he leads the cultural classes in his own
unique style. He is the brother of Kasa who works in the kitchen.
“Point five. Come drink some kava, you want a high tide?”
Varanisese Yauyau (“Francis”)
Head Chef
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Poasa’s wife and resident of Vorovoro, Francis works as our head chef on a rotating roster with Va. It is her duty to keep the tribe fat and well-fed. Sometimes she strolls into the sea fully clothed to cast out a fishing-line … you’re welcome to join her too.
“You come, you eat, Aunty Francis will look after you.”
Vasiti Matanawa (“Va”)
Head Chef
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Va is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is the mother of Save (Culture and Education Manager) and works as our head chef on a rotating roster with Francis. She worked as a teacher for over twenty years before joining Tribewanted. People immeidately feel her warmth and open their hearts to her, she listens and offers advice with big giant hugs.
“Come to Vorovoro and see what it is all about. I think Vorovoro is for the lost soul, make them feel at peace, know themselves, feel happy in this place. Any pain in the body I can massage them hahahahaha … I am here for those people and give them a big hug.”
Kesaia Tale (“Kesa”)
Kitchen Manager
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Kesa is Tale’s elder sister. She is found working and laughing in the kitchens of Vorovoro. She organises the weekly shopping trips to town and has all the market prices memorised in her head.
“I hope you come soon to Vorovoro. You can help me in the kitchen, make fun, have joke.”
Raijieli Lewa
Kitchen Assistant
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
The daughter of Poasa and Francis, Raijieli works in the kitchens and gardens of Vorovoro. She has a giant smile and if you’re lucky enough you might catch her singing while she’s chopping up the pineapples.
“I am from the island (Vorovoro). I have lived there since I was born. I went to school on the mainland. I have been working on Vorovoro since the tribe started and very happy with my job and with what’s happening on the island.”
Women’s group of Mali
Assistant Chefs/Kitchen Hands
The kitchen is an institution on Vorovoro, and preparing five meals a day is not an easy job. Under the guidance of Head Chefs, Francis and Va, the women’s group of Mali provides additional women to work in the kitchen on a rotating basis. Tribe members may be familiar with some of these assistant chefs, including Tema, Emily, Sila, and Helena, to name a few.
Ulai Baya
Fiji Fixer
Status: Based in Fiji, but not on Vorovoro
By being both the nephew of Tui Mali (Island Chief) and having grown up on Vorovoro, Ulai is intrinsically connected to the heart of the Tribewanted project. A trained lawyer who has practised in Scotland as well as Australia, Ulai is one of the few people who really appreciates what we are trying to achieve both on a global and a local scale with the Tribewanted. Ulai’s role in this important development stage is, alongside Helen, to make sure the voice of the Mali community is represented in the decision making process as well as facilitating all the practical issues on the ground in Fiji. A big fan of rugby, Ulai is most likely to be seen in a skin-tight English Rugby shirt arguing about who really is the best player on the team
Contact Ulai by email: ulai@tribewanted.com
Jim Kerridge
Project Director
President of the Hammock Society
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Jim left his graphic design career and home, sold all his belongings and left London. Laters. He spent 15 months traveling the world before arriving on Vorovoro and immediately felt an affinity with the island. Five weeks later he was elected March Chief 2008. In that time the Hammock Society began – a movement to keep Vorovoro free of unnecessary exercise. After chiefdom, he was asked to become a member of the on-island team allowing him to continue the good work of the hammocks. Four months later he followed in the footsteps of Giles Dawnay to become the Project Director in Year 3.
“Go Hammocks! It’s been an incredible adventure for me. Every time I think it’s time for my Isa Lei another opportunity presents itself. How will I lead the project? In the same way I would create a piece of art – with creativity, patients, large amounts of effort ‘n’ care and an attention to detail.”
Contact Jim by email: jim@tribewanted.com
The Hammock Society Interviews
Amy Briden
Tribe Manager (On-Island)
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
Amy first found out about Tribe Wanted early in 2007 and has been fascinated with the project’s progress ever since. Having gone along to tribal gatherings in the UK, met many inspired tribe members and continually followed the development on Vorovoro online, she knew that she wanted to be part of the action on the island and sent Ben Keene an email. And now here she is…
“I have been lucky enough to experience many different cultures, live on a remote beach in Madagascar taking part on a marine conservation project as well as work with a Volunteer Company being a Project Coordinator, organizing volunteer placements overseas. I am now privileged to start a new adventure living in Fiji, working alongside the tribe team and look forward to seeing you on Vorovoro!”
Contact Amy by email: amy@tribewanted.com
Travis Donoghue
Vitika Co-ordinator
Status: Currently running Vitika treks in the north of Fiji
In September 2006 Travis was on Vorovoro as a first footer, but was only able to spend a couple of days in Fiji at that time. Travis now returns to Fiji to take up the opportunity to lead upcoming Vitika treks across the north of Fiji.
“Ever since my first visit I’ve always had a return in mind and to be able to do so whilst contributing to the growth of the project makes me very proud. I am looking forward to throwing everything I’ve got at the Vitika and building upon the fantastic start made by Sloggs and Junior”
Contact Travis by email: travis@tribewanted.com
James Atkinson
Wavu (Bridge)
Status: Currently working on Vorovoro
After graduating with degrees in Event Management and Tourism Operations, James left Australia on an around the world adventure. He spent 2 weeks on Vorovoro in February in 2008, and has since been lucky enough to travel and work in places such as Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, United States and the UK. James has alot of outdoor skills and experience, and loves to sing and dance and laugh!
“I’m so excited to have this opportunity, and will make sure everyone that comes to Vorovoro gets the most out of their experience, and has memories to last a lifetime!”
Sarah Gwonyoma
Tribe Manager (Off-Island)
Status: Currently based in Fiji, but not on Vorovoro
A supporter of Tribewanted since the beginning, Sarah works behind the scenes as our off-island tribe manager dealing with sales, bookings, marketing, online systems (all the glamourous stuff).
“What I found about Tribewanted, and what i guess makes this project stand out exclusively to what i’ve seen already, is that you are able to live amongst a real Fijian community. You learn so much through other people and the locals. You will learn alot about yourself”
Contact Sarah by email: sarahg@tribewanted.com
Adam Carter (“Atama”)
Online Community Manager
Status: Currently based in Australia, working online
Adam’s main role is to manage online content across every facet of the Tribewanted website, and is currently based in Australia after spending time on Vorovoro last year in a number of different capacities.
“When Ben approached me in November 07 about taking on the role of Online Community Manager there was never any doubt in my mind that this role would be something I could really sink my teeth into. Having traveled to Vorovoro several times I feel like I know the island pretty well and hopefully through my work with the rest of the Tribewanted community, we can start to push forward with the online side of the project. I look forward to hearing from as many tribe members as possible and will happily answer any questions you might have about the online side.”
Contact Adam by email: adam@tribewanted.com
Aaron Wheeler (“Eruni”)
Web Chief Emeritus
Status: Retired, currently based in Japan
Aaron was our first tribal Web Chief – an all encompassing role managing the online hardware, software, and community – from June 2007 to June 2008. His continues on with Tribewanted in an advisory and volunteer role.
Aaron began the daunting task of taking over the online side of the Tribewanted project in June of 2007. Trading a cubicle for a sandy beach-front office on Vorovoro, Aaron worked directly with the Tribe to re-imagine the role of the internet with Tribewanted.
In 2008, this work came to fruition with the introduction of a completely overhauled layout, a focus on creating content through blogging, and the introduction of free online membership. Tribewanted’s growth is mirrored by the websites broadening scope as Tribewanted.com continues to be a strong bond between the Tribe and their island.
Contact Aaron by email: aaron@tribewanted.com
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