Today we got a well
deserved sleep-in – or at least a slower start to the morning. The team dressed
in their Fijian best and headed off to the school for the much anticipated celebration.
We arrived to all see students quietly sitting waiting, village elders, men,
and women dressed in sulu chandras, bula shirts and dress sulus. The kava bowl
was waiting for the official ceremony and the sign was completed.
The Class 7 gang did a
great job completing the sign unsupervised and so the boys erected it and the
celebrations began. We were treated to music and dancing by kindy and school kids,
a tradition war dance (the meke) by Class 7/8 boys and a local band played
music while we enjoyed a lovo – a tradition Fijian roast cooked in a pit
covered in banana leaves. It was a feast fit for a king – with chicken, fish,
salads, vegetables and more.
The team presented
packages of donated educational resources to each teacher for use in the
classroom. The team kids cut the ribbon and the playground was declared
officially opened. A number of speeches were made and lots of dancing followed.
200 kids clambered
over the playground for the rest of the afternoon – it was an amazing sight of
colour, smiles and action, complimented by a soundscape of laughter and excited
chatter. A noisy, happy farewell stirred up emotions for some as the bus drove
through a sea of happy smiley kids wishing up happy long lives!
We shared a team
dinner back at base and packed for the islands.
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