The team departed anxious and nervous about the mission ahead. Travelling by bus for an hour to the river, then 45-minutes down the river to the coast. Often at high speed, with sea spray covering these Fijian long boats to this village we went through narrow mangrove inlets to this village that had not hosted a white group before. Not sure who was the most anxious and nervous.
With a traditional kava welcome, we were then led onto their local school to be honoured with singing, traditional Fijian haka and dances by the children, and an array of delicious fish for lunch. The village has little land for crops so their only food is fish. The team responded with teaching the children some songs and more games and dancing. We heard of their dream to start a kindergarten too. They have a building and a teacher, but no crayons, toys, books or furniture to start the pre-school learning centre. It left the team thinking about how they could respond to this challenge.
Leaving the hospitality and warm welcome, again, was heart-wrenching. The life and joy of this beautiful village and people and touched everyone very deeply.