Tribewanted: Vorovoro

No school today for the kids in the little village. They have their holidays. Not to worry, we can do some volunteer work for the local people there. Off we go into the boat. Don’t forget to bring the Dream Foundation flag! The sky is grey, clouds are coming and still we are stupid enough not to bring our raincoats. We will be sorry for that ;-)). But…you don’t come tot Fiji for the rain. No…you come here for the sun, so you will ignore grey clouds.

Senga, Lisa, Anna, Josh, James, Mike Jone and me. Fortunately most of the kids are on the island. Laughing and sometimes to shy to come out of the house.

Ho Ya Mai Na Vadu-u-u…..they will know now that we are coming. Nice tradition that is. Singing that you are coming over. Don’t know exactly what it means but is must me something like: hello there, he we come or may we come?? There is always an answer to let you know you are welcome. Really nice habit. Remember to put you sulu on, don’t put your bag on your shoulders, wear nothing on your head. … Respect all those rules. I love it!

Meet the chief…female one. Presenting Kava and do the sevu sevu. And than…picking leaves, sweeping the grass, remove all the trash from the floor and play with the kids. So nice to work with the locals. “come and rest a little” ….Okay…..I am not tired yet but why refusing? This is Fiji…slow motion Fiji…I love it ☺)

“ you like to drink something?” “ yes please”! In no time one of the guys climbs into a coconut tree, throws some coconuts down, prepares them for us, and there we are, sipping our coconut drink and eating the nice coconut flesh. This must be our lunch…nice and delicious.

To finish the job we do some garden cleaning again. And then…no way….lunch is served. Bula sia tribewanted members …be welcome. It looks gorgeous: baked fish with lemons, green vegetable in coconut milk and pieces of fish, pawpaw curry, yam yam, cassava and bread. Have a nice lunch…yeah we will!!!

And of course there is the Kava…why not? Clapping, drinking, clapping, thanking and waiting for the next round. In the meantime it is raining cats and dogs. God no… we forgot to bring our raincoats!

Time to go back to Vorovoro in the poring rain. Lucky Senga….she wears a raincoat!