Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Ok, I think enough people have documented what a wonderful place Vorovoro is and yes I agree it certainly is. I arrived just 4 days ago and immediately felt really at home with everyone on the island. The purpose of my blog is to give a different perspective of island life. 9 am each morning there is a general meeting of staff and members to discuss the ongoing tasks and projects for the day, You have the opportunity to volunteer and get involved with them. Music to my ears as I happen to enjoy working with my hands, and getting stuck in to physical activity.

I chose to work alongside the legendary PuPu Epelli continuing with the shower project. It is an ingenious construction made in an S shape high up on the rock with steps carved into it and a large tree branch as a hand rail. The job today was to line the corrugated iron construction, with chicken wire to support a concrete covering that has been reinforced with iron bars. It is a privilege to work with Epelli, a man of so many skills and his famous phrase “Nothing is hard in this world”. He works with focus on the job at hand, whilst imparting local knowledge and family history. The sun was hot but the pace was comfortable, with tea break and lunch break very welcome.

The following day, all the Fijian staff and any volunteers that wanted to help root bash did so. Former chief Dan the Man was on a different task so I decided to join him. The kitchen sinks needed a U bend inserted to deal with improved drainage and as a bonus odour control. The sinks were deemed out of action and Dan and I set about dismantling the old waste pipe. WOW yes this was the dirty bit that had built up over time. After degunging the pipeline it was off to the Pacific Ocean a stones throw away from the kitchen to flush them through. New sections were inserted and glued and all was up and running in no time. Next job was raking up the final debris from the roof rethatching of Jimbo’s bure. There is of course still time to swim and snorkel, eat cake, drink tea swing in a hammock as well as participate in the organized activities. The day finished off with a camp fire and Tui Mali also had a gathering at his verandah. So folks if you are still wondering whether to come to Vorovoro, do it and bring a flexible attitude and enthusiasm. The choice is yours.

For me it is an experience of a lifetime oh and yes with beauty and magic thrown in.

Jay