Friday, July 31, 2009
Moce
This week we took the time to visit each of the three villages for one last wrap-up meeting with the leadership and water committees. We presented the findings of our water quality tests, health surveys, and our understanding of the villages’ concerns about their water systems. Then we discussed some ideas of how we could potentially help improve their current systems (with treatment, pipe replacements, etc…) but unfortunately couldn’t promise a project until further consultation with the project team back home. We closed each meeting with a signing of our Memorandum of Understanding between EWB-SFP and the village, which is essentially an agreement to work together in the future to improve water quality and distribution for all people in the village.
And so, this officially ends our assessment trip. After three weeks, we feel that we’ve collected just an incredible amount of information, made important connections, and met some amazingly warm-hearted people. It’s sad to leave, but we hope to be back soon with shovel in hand.
Moce
PS: The photos shown here are a mish-mash of images from our last week and include: wrap-up meetings with the village leadership, a trip to Rainbow Reef (resort and white sand beach) for some quality snorkeling, a local volleyball tournament, some 3-day old kittens (courtesy of Deborah), cute kids, and a meke (a Fijian good-bye song and dance party) performed by the residents of Vunikura.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Blog Silence
Saturday: We walked the Vunikura pipeline with Taranga Ni Koro William and Arone and spent the afternoon writing the Loa Summary Report.
Sunday: We visited the water source and slow sand filter for the Mission Clinic. In the afternoon we hitched a ride to the neighboring island of Kioa for an afternoon of relaxing on a deserted beach. This is a privately owned island by the Polynesian residents of Kioa – we needed permission to spend the afternoon there. Roger and Joe from Vunikura kindly dropped us off with 6 coconuts and a machete and told us they’d be back – we were glad they didn’t leave us there, “Survivor” style!
Monday: Close-out meeting with Loa. Unfortunately Malakai, the head of the water committee and our main contact in Loa, was suddenly called up to serve on the UN forces in Iraq and had to leave immediately. We still were able to have a serious talk with the Taranga Ni Koro – Tomu, and Simeli, another important figure in town. We are also lucky that Roger Lutz’ right-hand man, Amini is now available to be our translator. He is Fijian and is originally from Buca, but has lived in Sacramento for many years… In the afternoon we did more boring wrap-up stuff that you probably don’t particularly care about.
But! Here are some photos to keep you entertained until the next post, which honestly may be a bit more sporadic from now on than our usual daily blogs. Only 5 days left! L
Friday, July 24, 2009
Road Trip!
Our purpose, actually, was mostly business. We heard that the regional Health Department had an office there, as did the District Officer, and these two agencies are likely good entities to be on one’s side if one is implementing a water project within their jurisdictional area. We were met at the Health Department by the three regional health inspectors, all who seemed relatively excited that we were doing work in the area. They provided us water testing results for a handful of communities around the island (similar to what we have been doing here) and standard design plans (circa 1964) for the septic systems they are currently providing the village of Buca. They gave us their blessing and escorted us to the District Officer from whom we would also need authorization. About 5 minutes into our pitch, he says his first words:
“No,” we explain. “We’re a volunteer organization and any funds that we raise would go directly to implementing our project.”
“Do you want money FROM us?”
“No.”
Thursday, July 23, 2009
No Rest for the Weary
This was our first contact with Buca villagers other than the leadership, and we enjoyed making friends with the women and children. We were surprised by the relative “affluence” here – one family even had a washing machine (no running water in the house, but a washing machine!)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Fiji Talk
Today, however, was a bit more eventful. Here’s a quick synopsis:
1) Morning: Drive to Loa to talk to Malakai (who, apparently is NOT the headman… why are we finding this out now??) about his community’s health issues. We were told to meet him “after breakfast”, which to us meant 8:30. He was nowhere to be found, but after 30 minutes we found him. He was at his farm, of course. Apparently breakfast is at 9pm. AFTER breakfast is at 10pm. Fijian time. Oops!
2) Afternoon: Truckin’ it to the only white-sand beach within a 20km radius of Natuvu: collected a sand sample to test for suitability for potential SSF
3) First trip to Tucavesi to visit the regional medical clinic and talk to the staff doctor to get our first straight answers about the health issues facing the Buca Bay region (whoa, was THAT enlightening!)
4) In Buca to talk to Headman Asaeli about his community’s health issues
5) Evening: Drive a group of 4 women holding 4 new-borns , 1 pregnant woman, and two other women in the truck from Buca to Vunikura (a 30 minute drive trying not to jostle the sleeping new-borns!)
Somewhere in there we came to the frustrating realization that it’s REALLY hard to have a straight conversation with a Fijian. Here’s a typical exchange:
Us: We have some questions about your village’s water use.
Headman: Ok.
Us: Can you tell us who is responsible for the water system?
Headman: Yes.
Us: Yes, what?
Headman: Yes, I can tell you.
Us: Oh, ok. So, who is responsible for the water system?
Headman: There is a committee.
Us: Who is on the committee?
Headman: Me, my brother, my cousin, my uncle, and the Headman.
Us: Aren’t you the headman?
Headman: No. I am the Spokesman.
Us: Oh, this whole time we thought you were the Headman.
Spokesman: No, that is my brother.
Us: Your brother who is on the water committee?
Spokesman: My brother is not on the water committee.
Us: Isn’t the Headman on the water committee?
Spokesman: No. He isn’t on the water committee.
Us: Who, your brother, or the Headman?
Spokesman: My brother is the Headman.
Us: And is he on the water committee?
Spokesman: Ok.
Us: ????? (Looking at each other to see if the other understands… the other one doesn’t)
So the only way around this, we have discovered, is to ask the same questions to the same people, phrased slightly different, over and over again, until there is some semblance of consistency between answers. After 13 days in the region a small ray of understanding of how it all works here, is starting to shine on us. Hopefully the next week will bring some final clarity!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Blowing the Conch Shell
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Finding Nemo
Friday, July 17, 2009
A Sad Day in Vunikura
Today was a very sad day for Vunikura. First, the missionary youth group that has been volunteering with their children over the last two weeks, headed back to California this morning. Their departure brought many, many heartfelt tears from the sensitive and loving women and children of the nearby villages, especially our new friend and guide Ana.
Next, was the funeral of Eleanora, the daughter of headman (Tironi Ni Koro) Titimo. We headed to Vunikura well before the funeral started and were welcomed into Ana’s “family room” to wait while the family prepared. Ana’s niece entertained us by drawing out Ana’s family tree (see attached photograph for the size of the family; this is just from one grandparent!), and soon a variety of village children gathered around to play with us. Justin luckily had a couple games up his sleeve to entertain both the little ones and their young mothers.
The funeral was a somber affair with everyone in their Sunday best (sulus and flowered shirts). We squirmed through the two hour catholic mass and ceremony, sitting crosslegged on the floor and listening to the Fijian prayers. We then made the short hike to the cemetery for the grave-side ceremony. All-in-all it was a very typical funeral, and we were glad to be there to show support for our new friends.
We left Vunikura before the meal was served, as we knew the Mission would have our lunch waiting for us. With the youth group gone, it is only Dr. Anibal, Nurse Nani, and us staying here and the mission is eerily (and happily) quiet. This won’t last long as there are upwards of 30 guests coming in the next two weeks!
In the evening we attended a pizza dinner at the home of Dr. A and Nani. It is a beautiful home on the hillside above the mission; a very original design of a circular tent-like structure. We enjoyed getting to know the couple over a delicious dinner. They are very friendly, open and generous people - before working here in the Fiji they spent two years in Madagascar and 10 years in Paraguay; they are originally from Argentina.
Sample results: We have completed the sample results for the Loa source and tank and Mission tap – which suggest the presence of total coliforms and E. Coli.
We have been spending a good deal of time thinking about our results, and discussing our observations in the various villages. For Vunikura, even though our sample results are positive, the health records at the mission and conversations with the villagers do not indicate that they have been getting sick from the bacteria in the water. There have been two cases of typhoid in the village, but they were on the outskirts of the village, and it is suspected that appropriate hygiene was not being followed. We believe that EWB can help them by improving their catchment system at the source, replacing sections of the distribution system, and improving their septic system.