Tribewanted: Vorovoro

My first week has flown by as the new Marama on beautiful Vorovoro. It’s been truly fantastic i’m absolutly thrilled I’ve I decided to run for chief for March as it’s such a rare oportunity and I’m still having to pinch myself to believe it!

It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m sitting up in the tree house reflecting back on my week so far….i find this is my special place to sit and relax, listen tto my music and put my pen to paper…

On Saturday I had my own suIu chumba measured and made as Tuesday was the sevusevu, my official chief handover too….I sat down next to Moya (February’s chief) and was nervous for the first time on the island … I bravely smiled through rehersing my acceptance speech in my head over and over again. Silly really as I knew what I was saying was coming from my heart. Moya has been a rock since my arrival and I wanted to make her proud as well as Tui Mali, the team, the tribe and tream Fiji! As I accepted the salusalu off Tui Mali I made my speech I felt overwhelmed with extcitment but also completly relaxed. The evening was just magical a night I’ll never forget!!!!!

Wednesday I rose and got stuck straight in, started off blowing the conch (large shell) sounds like an elephant on fire he he! I held my first meeting with the whole tribe and team Fiji and discussed what was on the agenda for the day. I felt strange being sat on the otherside of the mat but completely in control, I just wanted to motivate and encourage everyone to get involved. The morning started off with a forrage through the gardens, we collected green beans, papaya, breadfruit, and even had a cheeky coconut along the way, delicious!!!! The afternoon just passed by so fast I don’t know where the day went. James (wavu) and I organised a beach clearup and re-dug the fire Pitt. All the tribe assisted and we had fun getting our hands dirty. To finish off I checked vales (dorms) to double check that they were clean and tidy for our new arrivals.

Thursday after the meeting I helped Amy (Tribe manager) clean my new chief bure, and sort through bits and pieces for Malia School, that head been made or donated by tribe members. Today on the island we as a team organized a surprize tea party for Amy one year annivesary, just a little thankyou for all her hard work over the last year! The tribe were fantastic as they all pitched in (handmade cards, baked a cake and danced, I liased with Tevita (community manager) for secret Meke class’s for the guys and a ladies were lead by Va our super duper cook!!!!! The afternoon was just brilliant and finished off with a football match and a group swim!

Funday Friday as I call it! Amy lead a small group round the island for a swim we were all ready in all full gear, snorlke, fins, sunblock and bug spray for 8.30am. It’s best this early as the tide can still be high. The group consisted of strong and intermediate swimmers, we all swam at a slow pace which in fact was great as we could visibily see the coral reef and look up and see a few of the four peeks. This was a fabulos trip even thought some of us didn’t quite make it round the whold island due to lack of time. Malia School (The green club) again I thoroughully enjoyed in the afternoon, I’ve been 3 weeks now and the children knew my name. They’re all so we’ll be-haved and intelligent it’s a wonderful day out… and to be introduced as the new chief the children were so respectful.

My weekend Saturday I nipped into lambassa and met the new arrival (Vanessa) and gave her a tour round the island I felt honured to show her round paradise!

Today’s been the best Sunday I’ve had here on the island all the team have baked all day and really just chillaxed!!!!! Whether it’s been swimming in the sea, lying in the hammock reading a book, to building a scarecrow!!!!

I’m looking forward to updating you all next week. Bye for now

Marama Jodie