Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Up at 6am to the Lali drum alarm. The computer was not in the eco-tricity hut so I spent a good hour writing up my thoughts from days 5 and 6.

At morning meeting I volunteered to teach the students how to play a game on a Linnux based computer for children that I’ve never heard of before called an XO (I think).

I also volunteered to head up a carnival for Saturday evening. Honestly I think my arm has a mind of it’s own – if no one steps up when they ask for a volunteer – up pops my arm. I actually wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew with this one as I’ve never been to a proper carnival (or a Mardi Gras for that matter)!

Had a LOT to do today – as New Vale elder – this morning was clean the vale day – which basically consists of getting everything up off the floor – sweep it out – and dispose of all trash into the proper recycle bins.

Then off to videotape the Meke lessons. When I was getting ready to come to Vorovoro I had a very hard time finding anything on the web that showed a Meke being done – much less lessons on how to do it. It is a very traditional series ofdances that tells a different story each and is becoming a lost art here on Fiji. That makes our performing it it even more special. Sort of like having visitors from another country coming to America and performing a proper Waltz for us at a party – which is even a stretch at best as the Meke tells stories and really none of our dances past or present do.

So thanks to BRILLIANT Lisa we were able to tape all 6 out side on the mats with the palm trees and the sea as our backround. I say brilliant as she not only did the taping for us – but she let us use her camera as my battery had died from all the photos and taping the day before at the wedding.

Then off to suss out this new computer – the guide that came with the computer bas very basic – the actual instructions to the games that were on the computer live on the internet – so off I go to see if I can figure out at least one.

We had an early lunch so we could get heading out by boat to Mali by 12:15pm. As everyone that comes to the island is asked to bring something for the children we had quite a box of goodies – in addition to what the people going had brought. Lots of good book on fables and cultures from other countries, books on outer space, the world, endangered animals, etc. were on the list. Colored pencils, balloons, flash cards and of course me and my trusty computer with two games ready to try.

When we arrived on Mali we were brought in to a very small (by our standards) classroom where we sat in U-shaped formation in front of about 4 rows of students. An interesting note – all grades are taught in the same room (think Little House on the Prairie). We were greeted and thanks by both the head master and teacher – then we were asked to go around the room and tell a bit about ourselves, where we come from, etc. Next the head master had each student stand up and tell us their name, what form (grade / year) they are in and what their best subject is. They were SOOO shy – some looked down to the floor and said it as fast as they could and sat back down. If the head master thought they were too shy or soft spoken he would have them do it again. This was followed by several songs – what beautiful voices and harmonies they all have – adults and children – song is definitely a strong Fijian trait!

Then out came the computer – they were fascinated – I chose a memory / pairing game – basically a four by four square matrix where you click on a square – see a letter (upper or lower case) and try to find it’s mate. So the skills the children had to use and learn were:
• Using the touch pad to move the pointer
• Understanding that you could not select a square unless the border of the square changed color
• Using a certain button to choose a square and see a button
• Recognizing the letter that was shown and remembering where it was
• Finding matching upper and lower case numbers

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The students were very shy to come up and try so I picked two of the older girls who said English was their best subject. (Interesting note – one of the class rules is to speak in English while in class all the time).

The first game went very well and the girls were very quick to learn how to use the computer. Then we opened up the chance for the children to interact with the others. Ben and Rich got a great game of Rugby going on outside – one of their favorite games. Others read from the books, taught them songs, etc. I stayed inside and had a bevy of kids all around and all wanting a chance to try the game and he computer. It got a bit tough to make sure they all had a go at it – but at the end of the day everyone left very happy and satisfied. (Ben says it’s like Christmas every Friday when we go to the school).

We got back just in time for afternoon tea and then off I went to get ideas for the carnival. I’m not going to give it all away in this blog – so definitely watch for tomorrow!!!

Ciao for now!

Marie