Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula sia tribe. I received a request for info from a fellow Kiwi tribe member and my response was so long I thought I’d make it into a blog. I’m not sure if that’s actually logical – but hope it’s helpful to someone out there! Moce, Hannah.

Hi there!

Am happy to answer your questions.

I was looking for a holiday where I could go and relax somewhere warm but also get involved in a community and do something useful. Tribewanted came up when I had a search on the internet – it seemed like there would be heaps to do around the Tribewanted village in terms of getting the place set up.

I was surprised when I arrived (in May 2008) how well set-up it was! The hard work had mostly been done so there is the Grand Bure (main meeting hall – conceptually like a marae) with beautiful landscaped gardens around it. There are huts built and a kitchen and eating area and a gazillion hammocks. Hammocks are key.

Despite it being so organised, when I was there in May there was a lot of work to do in terms of maintenance, improving accommodations, and of course gardening. I don’t imagine that will ever change. There is always something to do and I was pleased with the motto: do as much or as little as you like.

You are not actually volunteering in a Fijian village – you are working to build a community which is supported by Fijians from nearby villages and communities. The Fijians work with us and also teach us their cultural traditions and that’s one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

I wanted to explore my Pacific neighbourhood, having never been before, and in return I got an experience of what the real Fiji is like: from the crappy infrastructure, the poverty, and the resources that are missing from the education system, to the amazing optimism and friendliness of the people, their wisdom about what’s important in life, and the importance of knowing your place in this world. Sounds a bit airy fairy but there you go!

So the Tribewanted experience didn’t meet my expectations, but exceeded them. I got more out of it than I thought I would.

As for being a New Zealander, I think, from my extremely Kiwi viewpoint of course! that it’s a bit easier – less culture shock, especially if you’re already familiar with Pacific cultures, including Maori culture. I think being used to nature, ie bugs, rain, grass, trees, ocean, really helps the experience, and also having a more laid-back attitude (not fast-paced European and US culture) makes it easier for a Kiwi to get used to Fiji time. It’s all about patience.

HOWEVER I think it’s less to do with your culture and more to do with your personality. Laid-backness – is the key.

I did get quite a bit of flack about choosing Fiji as my holiday destination – as I’m sure you have too – having visited several times before. In my opinion, yes the government shouldn’t be recognised, but I wouldn’t want to punish the Fijian people by not supporting their lifeline: the tourism industry. Also the nature of Tribewanted makes it something that you shouldn’t be ashamed supporting. Tribewanted has helped the local Fijians gain a renewed sense of pride in their culture. It’s not some “lie on the beach and rent a Fijian choir for five minutes so you feel you’ve had a cultural experience” resort. You are working as equals.

I must say though that it was gutting to visit a local high school and have a teacher nearly cry explaining the lack of resources and an antiquated system to me, which I witnessed first hand – pretty rank compared to the awesome education I got here in New Zealand. I felt pretty stink that there was nothing I could do – but I checked out the NZ Aid website and the $4-5 million dollars NZ sends to Fiji each year (half of the usual amount due to current sanctions on aid) goes to small projects and NGOs so that the Fijian government don’t have an opportunity to channel those funds into the military. As you know that’s been an item in the news here recently but surely we wouldn’t be so stupid as to give aid money directly to the current Fijian government?! Sorry, I went off on a tangent there!

If you haven’t travelled by yourself before Tribewanted are really good at looking after people. They provide you with all the information you need and of course you can ask other tribe members for help before you go.

I do recommend the experience – like the NZ poster in Murray’s office on ‘Flight of the Conchords’:

“Vorovoro. Don’t expect too much. You’ll love it!”