Island Wish List

News of my music playing, photo taking, cyber browsing phone has travelled right to the other side of the island.  The phones I’ve seen here have tiny screens about as big as a thumb nail. No one has heard of mms as it’s not available here and memory cards are a foreign concept. “What that?” asks Ema. To think I left 3 cell phones in South Africa! What a shame. They are so behind the times.  

I can make a difference, but on the money that I have to live off, I am not going to be able to do it without help. To give you an idea – the basic supplies I order from Suva (that come by boat once a month), is equal to 3 weeks salary! I might live in Paradise, but it’s all on a pauper’s wage. I’m not complaining, even though at times it might sound like I am. I have accepted the fact that I’m here now and while I am here there won’t be many (if any) luxuries. I have to admit, I dream of eating ice cream, having chocolate & fizzy cold drink. It would be wonderful to have some cheese grated over my food, some porridge for breakfast followed by some yoghurt, a piece of meat off the barbeque...oh, the list goes on!

I am going to start an “Upliftment Programme.” The people here are in dire need of so many things.  I would appreciate any contributions that can be made. I have made a wish list of the people of Vanuabalavu and added my email and postal addresses. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You may be surprised to see some of the items listed, but none of these things are available over here. Even in Suva – I have been asked in amazement what some of the stuff is..

• Needles - various sizes (the needlework kind) - that can be used to pierce seeds so that fishing gut can be threaded through.
• Scissors - small, large and craft scissors that can be used to make a patterned effect for cut-outs for cards
• Any size and colour ribbon that can be used in card making and other crafts
• Any size and colour beads
• Clasps and hooks that can be used for jewellery making
• Craft glue (preferably not glue stick as this is not strong enough)
• NT Cutters (or Stanley knives) to cut cardboard for card making
• Water paint
• Calligraphy pens
• Crayons and colouring in pencils
• Pens and basic stationary
• Stickers that can be used in the card making
• Hardboard
• White envelopes of various sizes
• Cello tape, masking tape and any other kind of craft tape
• Hard covered note books that will be covered with leaves or coir found here on the island
• Decorative paper, coloured paper, wrapping paper
• Basic make up and toiletries

And anything you believe could be useful for the people of Vanuabalavu.

If you're not sure - please don't hesitate to contact me.

Tjaart Herbst

Nabavatu Plantation

PO Box 24

Lomaloma

Vanuabalavu

Lau group of islands

Fiji

email: tjaartherbst@yahoo.com

On Ema’s wish list is some make up. She is 47 and has only ever seen in photographs what make up looks like and would like some for herself.

Priscilla is 10 and doesn’t know what it’s like to play with a doll. She’s never even seen one! It would be wonderful if someone could send one to her.

Josephine is 14 years old and I don’t actually know what girls that age need or want.

Old clothes are more than welcome. These can be sent surface mail – as can anything else – to save on costs. I appreciate whatever can be sent and don’t want anyone being bankrupt by this project. Anything that you no longer have use for, from pencils, to clothes, to cell phones – would be gladly accepted. It’s hard for me to see how little they have to get by on.

Cyclone Tomas caused millions of dollars of damage when it ripped through the islands in March. People that lost everything are now living with their families or friends. The government promised to assist, but all the people on the islands got was a bag of rice each. Nothing more. Nothing less.