Coco Talanoa — Pacific Blog / Page 11

By Va'ai Nah Folasa

Cover image by Samoa Observer photo journalist - Vaitogi A Matafeo 

-

Another drinking session in the village of Safai Savaii has ended with the death of a 26 year old man, allegedly killed by his own brother.

This tragic incident has no doubt had a devastating impact on the family who has not only lost a young life but another is charged with murder. Our sympathies go out to this family at this very challenging time.

In time and in the Samoan way there will be forgiveness. However, they will never forget the unnecessary and tragic end to a life. Some wounds will never heal.

Could this tragedy have been avoided?

Reports indicate that this incident can be directly attributed to the drinking of the locally produced Rover vodka. This spirit is cheap, readily available in plastic bottles of different sizes (up to 2 litres at a time for around $40) and is guaranteed to get you really drunk really fast.…more

Over a decade ago, Fogalepolo Lepou (Paul) and wife Joan decided to pack up and move from New Zealand to Samoa, driven by a call of duty to his mother (Su’a Siapo Suisui Faiga Ripley Lepou) and her restless dreams of making use of her family land in Fasito’o-uta, Samoa.

What started off as an exercise in honouring a parents’ wish eventually evolved into a journey of self discovery for Paul, who found himself re-connecting with his culture, family and the land. Paul and Joan built and developed the Ifiele'ele Plantation, a stunning organic farm retreat offering accommodation.

Today it is a living tribute to an inherited dream and a celebration of the inextricable bonds between family, land and traditions in Samoan culture.

- 

Video credit & Thank You to:  World Bank Pacific and the Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing Project

Motherhood, Career, Family: We can have it all!

2021 is wrapping up and so is my rookie year of motherhood. As I reflect on 2021, and my first year of motherhood I find myself reminiscing on the big lessons I’ve learned this year. 

Off the top of my head I can think of 20 unsolicited pieces of advice but I’ll just give you 3 for now.

-

1: Independence costs 

It’s a common misconception that us broke islanders all live in the same house because we can’t afford otherwise. And while living together helps lessen the load financially, it’s not the only or even the main reason we do it. 

As Pasifka peoples, we are village people. We are built on the strong foundations of aiga & togetherness. We often all live together in one house because that’s just how we’re built. We quite simply aren’t built to live far from our loved ones. From the comfort of mum's kokolaisa or pahs funny jokes. Aunty’s gossiping in the lounge, cousins running around outside.…more

Cover image of families on Mango Island in the Ha'apai group waiting for help after the tsunami hit and destroyed every home. 

Photo credit:  Piokalafi Faka’osi 

-

As communication with Tonga is slowly restored, the devastation to the small island nation is becoming more apparent.  

So far the oficial fatality number remains at three and Digicel has been able to restore limited international voice and text connectivity via a satellite connection.  US cable company SubCom has advised that the best case scenario is four weeks for the cable to be repaired, with the repair ship expected to arrive in Tonga 1 February.

The tsunami is estimated to have impacted around 1800+ household's food supply across Tonga - most affected areas have had plantations and crops completely destroyed and basic food items are needed.  Flour, tinned fish, milk powder etc ...  Due to the seawater seeping into the soil it's expected to take about 3 months before anything can be grown on affected areas.

The governement have also advised against fishing or consuming any fish.…more

The Vodafone Foundation have set up a 'Give a Little' page for the Tongan tsunami appeal, raising funds to support NZ Red Cross relief efforts in Tonga and the Pacific following the Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption and tsunami

Both Vodafone NZ and the Vodafone Foundation will match donations up to $200,000 - so for every $10 donated, $30 will go to help those affected, up to $600,000.

These funds will be used to support Red Cross to provide families with emergency supplies of food, water and hygiene kits.  These are vital given much of the water and food supply has been polluted by volcanic ash. Shelter tool kits, tarpaulins, blankets and other essentials are also being distributed.…more

The umbrella organisation for New Zealand’s aid agencies, Council for International Development is calling on banks and money transfer businesses to drop (or reduce) any bank fees as Tongan New Zealanders mobilise to send funds to support Tonga following the eruption.

Remittances play a critical role following an emergency in the Pacific. “The most urgent need in times of crisis is money, not stuff. No other type of donation can match its impact,” says Aaron Davy, Humanitarian Manager at Council for International Development.

“We urge banks and money-transference businesses to support humanitarian responses, by temporarily wavering transaction costs or keeping them at zero or less than 3% during an emergency response and removing bureaucratic barriers for already stressed families trying to send cash to family overseas.”

Kiwibank NZ have already responded, removing fees to send money to Tonga - 

 How to send cash safely:

* Donate to a trusted humanitarian organisation in New Zealand.…more

Following the eruption of the Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano on Saturday evening, family, friends, the Pacific community and many around the world have started mobilising to organise fundraising events and support for the Kingdom of Tonga.

While New Zealand NGO's wait for official damage reports, the re-establishment of communications with their partner organisations and colleagues in Tonga is a priority.

The Council for International Development (Umbrella organisation for New Zealand's aid charities) have put together some resources on how to best support the Kingdom of Tonga 

They have pre-positioned humanitarian stock within the region which means they are ready to support impacted communities as a matter of urgency. Any response will be coordinated with the New Zealand government’s response, and risks associated with the covid pandemic are also factored in.

Click here for Pacific language fact sheets – Cook Islands Maori, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Bislama (Vanuatu), Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati.  

Tongan language fact sheets below: 

They encourage New Zealanders and the Pacific community who would like to help to donate money rather than send stuff that may not be needed.…more

A short film on the role of men in ending violence against women and children, featuring prominent Solomon Island men representing a cross section of Solomon Islands society.

December marked the end of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in the Solomon Islands and at the end of the campaign, Safenet Solomon Islands launched this short film.

The film was made by a group of young filmmakers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and Dreamcast Theatre, and focuses on the role of men in ending violence against women and making our nation a safe place for all.

By Taualofa Totu'a 

-

BEAUTIFUL, SUSTAINABLE GIFTS MADE BY FIJI ARTISANS 

Who: Rise Beyond The Reef

Rise Beyond The Reef is based in Fiji, a homegrown value and supply chain in partnership with rural remote women and their communities. In an effort to combat negative economic and environmental impacts, this movement aims to bridge the divide between remote communities, government and the private sector in the South Pacific, sustainably creating a better world for women and children. 

They have a skillful Holiday Gift collection for the Xmas season which you can shop here. Read more about their movement, mission and (more importantly) show support by purchasing their beautiful products made by local Fiji artisans on their website here.  

Follow their work on Instagram @rise_beyond_the_reef_fiji

-

STUNNING MALU PATTERN GLASSWARE

Who: Under the Bird 

Under the Bird provides buyers quality Pasifika goods and their glassware definitely won’t fail to impress your guests this Xmas.…more