Dreaming in Vanuabalavu

In Mavana mats are made from leaves from a type of plant that grows on the island, but other than that, there is no industry. I would like to teach them to make jewellery with the seeds and shells that are readily available here, or book covers from the coir of the Coconut trees and also use the leaves of certain trees to make gifts. They could also make cards that can be used as souvenirs or even to give to their friends, but as I have said – everything needs to come from the main island and in Suva there isn’t much to find in the craft line either.

So, I am asking that if anyone is able to make a contribution, it would be most welcome. These contributions do not need to be expensive items and just something that can be sent in a padded envelope. Things like colouring pencils, cello tape, scissors – basic stationary – is nowhere to be found on the island. I have seen ‘glue sticks’, but that isn’t nearly strong enough for the type of crafts we have in mind. Like Ema says; “What that? With what money? From wheres we get things to makes?” They were amazed when I showed them a few things and everyone became excited about starting to do something – so much so that they’re now collecting seeds and pretty leaves that we can use.

Another idea that I have is to start a coffee shop or a small restaurant.  News about this has spread like wild fire on the island and now everyone is waiting to see what I manage to accomplish. There has never been anything like that here as no one has ever had the money to start something up.

I have seen the cutest house on the beach front on Lomaloma that I would love to turn into a coffee shop. I am totally in love with that little place and it has so much potential. It was damaged by the cyclone and no one has repaired it as there just isn’t money to. Materials needed to fix it up would have to come from Suva on the boat and that’s a lot of money in their terms.

There are no activities for people on the island. No restaurants, no coffee shops where they could just go and sit and have a piece of cake or a cup of tea or coffee. There’s no gym and no sport to be seen over here. No shops to browse in or even just to window shop. Nothing. Absolutely nothing! There isn’t anything that can improve their quality of life. Even watching TV or listening to the radio is for many something they know about, but don’t have themselves, or go to their neighbours for the experience.

The only activity here is to drink Kava and get drunk. There are only 3 shops on the entire island and they only sell the bare necessities. The biggest shop in Lomaloma has 8 shelves and each shelf has another 3 shelves added to each end of it – in other words – 48 in total. The shop might look full, but only closer inspection you will see that the whole shelf has only one selection on it. A shelf of corned beef, or a shelf of tinned fish – about 100 tins or more of the same thing. It’s certainly not full of variety!

 There are many things that I just can’t get here. Like deodorant. No other soap except for the ‘pink’ or ‘purple’. No hand cream or any type of make up for the women. Ema was ecstatic when I told her I would ask my friends to send some make-up.

Things that we take for granted, things we don’t think twice about, are the things people on this island can only dream about.

For a list of things that are needed, please go to the top of the page and click on 'Island wish list.' Thank you so much.