'Fiji Day' by Megan
Wednesday the 10th October was
officially ‘Fiji Day’ to celebrate the independence of the Fiji Islands from
the British Empire. ‘Fiji time’ caught up with Ratu Meli Memorial School,
however, and we celebrated the holiday, as well as World Teachers Day, on
Thursday along with a day off on Friday (Base Improvement Day!)
The day started as usual, with the boat
powering into the beach, although this time, as soon as the engine cut out, you
could hear the students singing their hearts out all the way from the school
hall. They put any English school to shame with their passion when they sing.
When we actually arrived at the hall we could hear the children in utter chaos
and walked in to see every teacher wearing a fresh flower garland and students
standing up from their place and dancing down the aisle as the other children
roared with laughter. Most of the 6 year olds, let alone the older children,
had more rhythm than I could ever imagine having! The hall was alive with
laughter and music, especially when some of the teachers got up to dance and
put their all into it and one of the eldest male students came out in a floral
dress.
The children went to class for a little bit
to copy down their homework for the weekend, and as class 2 (my class) sat
there scribbling away, they broke out into the national anthem. Then the
children got to move onto the next thing they were born for: sport. We tried to
organize the students into groups but it soon became one massive game of rugby
whilst the other children amused themselves with skipping ropes, volleyball,
rounders and netball.
At 12 all of the children got to go home
and we got the treat of meeting the chief of the Yasawa’s with Kava and cake.
It was my first formal Kava ceremony and the chief seemed extremely down to
earth and grateful for the work we do. The cakes however were the definite
highlight!
I’m so glad I was able to spend Fiji Day
and World Teachers Day here in Fiji. Both the teachers and the children are so
enthusiastic about the celebration of independence, as well as being thankful
for their teachers.
Vinaka FijI!
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