Tribewanted: Vorovoro

As part of the ongoing projects on Vorovoro, I was honoured to be associated with the design and construction of the new showers. Since the idea was first muted on our arrival I knew I would be hooked into the construction programme. This was to be the main August project funded and overseen during Chief Dan’s month in office’ which proved full and eventful.

The original showers built some two years earlier were now showing signs of wear and tear, full of friendly mozzies and not too inviting for a refreshing shower.

Amy had first come up with the idea, a doodle during one of her meetings forming the two circles with inter-connecting spiral (I do not know where she gets her ideas from!) But the idea proved a challenge to say the least and the idea was to mosaic the walling using locally collected material!
Ben (sustainability manager) had the task to put this programme on the road requesting ideas on the build. He had firm ideas,as to the new location and after the usual essentials of obtaining tribe Fiji’s clearance,the project went ahead.

It commenced on the Monday, at early sun rise with the sound of the ‘Lali’ drum. This was to clear the top of the hill in sight of the existing water tanks and just above the showers. I have to acknowledge Ben had chosen a great spot, all day sun, a little breeze and a much better location during the rainy season.

My first ‘Chill out’ Sunday proved to be a challenge to put brain in gear, to come up with a simple design solution, to use both local and readily available materials. There are no DIY shops in Fiji and certainly not open 7days a week. Thank goodness Fiji still has a ‘chill out’ day on a Sunday!
What I had suggested however, was a departure from the norm, but fitted the criteria which the old showers had suffered during their time. Yes, I am guilty of suggesting and introducing a new method of construction to Vorovoro and Fiji generally. It is one that I feel has great benefits both for its strength and durability from cyclones;it will not rot or be eaten like timber; it requires no maintenance; above all having a clean hard floor, being self draining to avoid mozzies breeding in any season.

It set a huge challenge for both tribewanted and team Fiji and at first a few mis-understandings due to a radical change from the normal methods of construction. Ben needed a lot of convincing, team Fiji needed a lot of coaching, but we made a start.

The level base went well using the local stones to hand and earth fill to levels. It was thought best to build over the existing rock formation rather than break into the rock. (Explosives were ruled out as they were thought not sustainable-only joking)

The earth was compacted Fijian style then marked out on the ground to the actual shape. The controversial 100mm plastic rainwater pipes were then reinforced and filled with concrete to a (1:2:9 mix)This formed the structural frame which subsequently held the main beam ultimately taking the shower heads, buckets and pulley system. I take no responsibility for its height, the criteria was based on Ben requiring 300mm above his head plus the tackle, giving approximately 4metres from the ground. Ben is one big friendly giant of a man. The intermediate posts of 75mm were positioned around the circular form, during the few days I was off island, to complete the structure prior to cladding the walls with the tin.

Whilst spending most of my career in Design and Construction, I am the first to take my hat off to the Fijian team. Firstly,for working in full heat all day, but for their total knowledge of technical skills and ability without any mod-con’s, quality tools or machines (a chain saw being the only petrol driven device on Vorovoro and used with great skill) no screws, only galvanised nails which needed careful handling.

Due to the many actives going on at this stage, progress on the showers slipped behind schedule together with my frustration in bending the tin to the profile. This proved impossible and a necessary re-think. (One 20ft. piece of tin down to me -sorry!)

This was maybe a good thing, as we went back to our original idea of cutting the tin to lengths and using the sheets in standard widths, easy to bend into a circular form. Putting this to team Fiji, Poasa and Pupu again said ‘no problem!’ Without much a do, they came up with bending circular reinforcing bar rails around the posts, using a length of electrical plastic conduit to form the bends- ‘easy!’ Unbelievably simple, effective and so quick. This proved the turning point, being much stronger and without complications. We are never too old to learn and it was refreshing to experience. The tin soon followed, put into position, marked, holed and fixed with wire ties in a day and a half. Great progress until mid-week; some of the Fijian Team had to leave the Island to go sadly to attend an elder’s funeral on another island. However, the tribewanted team and some of the remaining team Fiji helped with the enormous task of locating and manhandling approximately 21/2 tons of heavy reef slabs from along the beech to form the crazy paving flooring. (Here in England people would give their eye teeth for this sort of slab) We all went crazy for a time, tessellating the stones into place.

At this point I had to bow out of the team, with final hours of packing after our 6 week stay’ Being with team Fiji there at the top of the hill, I had to leave them to concrete the stones into place,to the application of render to the tin walling and the ultimate conclusion of the finished project. Something that is hard to swallow, as I always like to see things through to completion.
However, it was an honour to be part of the team and moments to treasure with all who sailed in her! I look forward to seeing the official launch.

We would like to wish Amy every success in her mosaic designs, knowing the efforts that have been spent by her and the tribe collecting, cleaning, scrutinising, sorting, stacking every kind of exotic shell and broken glass swept in by the sea.

We feel sure that the new showers will be a firm favourite and fitting feature for Vorovoro and will serve well, for many years to come!