Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula Sia! Sorry it’s taken a while to update you on what’s been going on recently on Vorovoro but April has been a very busy month as I have been learning as much as I possibly could from Carol before taking on the exciting position as Tribe Manager! I have completely settled in and am continually walking around with a massive smile still; Life is good! ‘Vinaka na bula!

It finally came to the change over point last week when Carol left for her other island home in Canada after living on Vorovoro for an amazing 6 months. Carol has spent a huge amount of time and effort doing a lot of all the hidden administration that goes on behind the scenes as well as having a big part on communicating online and making sure everyone else can virtually experience the island back home! I know that Carol is very devoted to Tribe Wanted and will continue to be a large part in the project. Carol – I want to say a massive thank you for passing on all your island knowledge as well as your incredible organisational skills that Giles and I are extremely grateful for; our mini office is brilliant and Marou is building a box for it as I write! Vinaka vaka levu and as you described it so well ‘Au sa vakavina vinaka’ ;)

Not only did Carol leave last week but as you all know; it was chief hand-over and sadly Kazoo had to depart too. (Far too many emotions in one week; it’s hard enough at every Isa Lei!) Adi Vua was fantastic as April turned out to be such a productive and creative month. Not only did Kaz’s special chief project of the beautifully decorated, screen printed Zaishu chairs stack up a treat but also the achievement of the bamboo walls of the new Vale in which six members are currently sleeping in and loving the space (and breeze!) Not only did Kaz put so much energy into the island while she was here; she also researched into many useful and interesting eco products before coming so we had a real treat when she arrived! The solar lights are still working brilliantly and there are still some natural toothpastes at the sink; the tea tree and ginger is the least popular it seems but the sea fresh one has only a few squidges left! These products have definitely made us all think about what we use back home. Naka to Kaz for such a wonderful month; your introductory tour was spot on and so informative; I also know that everyone really appreciated your indepth knowledge of the island and really colourful input; we really do miss you already but know you will be back for more soon!

The positive slant to the end of each month is the beginning of the next one and the new chief for May; Linda has stepped into her new role with tremendous ease and is doing a fantastic job already. Linda (I should really address her as Marama Linda which means female chief) is a keen bean on culture and this month Linda has decided that we will really focus on Fijian customs as well as an emphasis on chief etiquette and the reasons behind the traditions. I am sure May will bring lots of meke madness! This will be a great opportunity for us all to learn from Team Fiji as well as hear even more fascinating stories around the tanoa.

We had our sunday team meeting yesterday in the chief’s bure and Linda brought out Earl Grey tea and mocha cream biscuits! (Gilo and I think that we should start having a team meeting in the chief’s bure everyday from now on!) Linda is definitely going to be a motherly figure and look after us all for sure!

This week; Ben the new Sustainability Manager is arriving which is great news and will be an asset to the team! We really need to think about how much water we are using now that we are entering dry season and the days are getting hotter so this is perfect timing to bring awareness of this. I am sure Ben will push the sustainability side of things to a much greater level and with Marama Linda onto the cultural learning; Vorovoro will be a buzz of activity in the coming weeks! As Tale often sums it up… ‘Eeeeeeh Whoooo!

We are also really excited about Jim; aka Hammock Society Founder and Chairman to return mid-month as the new gapper. Definitely the dude for the job and it will be so good for Jim to be involved in the completion of the Vale which was started as his project when he was chief in March.

Well I am writing this on the Black Berry in Tanoa Park under a banana leaf and the ants are starting to tickle my toes so over and out for now…

A huge Vinaka Vaka Levu for April and watch out for ‘Vula ni Tora’ (culture month) updates soon…

Moce mada! :)