Question Box

In school I have a "question box" where students are encouraged to anonymously (or not) submit questions about anything that they would like me to answer. Fijian students are usually discouraged from speaking up or asking many questions and so my hope (and success) is to have them feel more comfortable in asking the questions I know they have about Family Life Education (sex, nutrition, lifeskills, feelings, hormones, puberty, relationships, college, gender identity, etc). I am doing the same with my blog. I have encouraged readers to submit questions in the comments section anonymously or not ;-} that I will try and answer. Here are some of the questions so far....

At your high school are classes taught in English or the native dialect (or both)?
There are signs posted around school and in each classroom that say "Speak in English at all Times". However, this isn't always the case. Teachers do their best to speak in English at all times but sometimes they must translate or say a few things in Fijian to better relate to the students. The students at my high school have a wide range of English skill level. I believe this is why I sometimes struggle more than most teachers with behavior of my students...because sometimes English, especially American English, just doesn't make sense right away to them. I believe this is also what deters many students from speaking up in class, among other reasons...they are shy in their English speaking abilities.

How often do you (and other PCVs) lose items to that traditional practice of giving a neighbor anything asked for? And what are some items that have been given away? Have any PCVs refused? Is there any regret or repercussion for refusal?
While Kerekere is a very active part of the culture here, most Fijians do understand that this is new and different to us as Americans. I personally have lots of privacy in my own home (not the case for all PCVs). Partly because my home is very small and not ideal for people to socialize inside, but also because our Turagi ni Koro (headman of the village...different than the Chief) has instructed that no one comes to 'call for me'. They must wait until I leave my house and then can approach me. This of course comes with benefits and disadvantages. For me, I know to keep things I do not want walked off with in my home and generally out of sight. If the kids want to use my soccer ball and I am unable to play with them, I appoint a trusted older kid and ask them to please return it when they're done.You can always say no. It can be seen as rude, but people also are aware that we are different. Big ticket items like phones, computers, etc are really only 'kerekere'd in certain relationships which we are exempt from. Ultimately, I have also grown to increasingly and willingly giving small things away when I have extras.  Like when my Aunt Julie sent me a bunch of playing cards...kept one deck and shared the rest. I could write about kerekere for a long time...and I will in an upcoming post so please do check back but hopefully this helps give you a little bit of an idea.

What is something in Fiji you already know you want to continue in your life style once you come back to the US? 

First off, I know I will be making the soup, Dhal, frequently. This is one of my favorite Fijian Dishes! Please visit fellow volunteer Kelli's Blog for the recipe. There are many variations. I love to add potatoes, spinach and curry powder to my dhal. Fijians love to add ramen noodles. Secondly, I want to come back to the United States and continue the story telling tradition. I think this is something (North) American culture has lost. We are relying on technology to tell our stories. I want to sit and socialize more often, without the distraction of technology.

How much has language been a barrier to getting to know the elders in the community? 

Language is definitely a barrier. Not only in getting to know the elders, but everyone. Most everyone knows English but that doesn't mean it is the language that is being spoken in meetings, church, or amongst friends. Even when we are both speaking English things can be easily confused as Fijians know British English which as many different words than the English I am speaking. I will have a post coming soon on my experience with making local friends that will talk about this more. 

How often do you travel to larger towns to resupply or just get a bit less isolated? 

This has increased as time has gone on. In the beginning I felt guilty for leaving the village. I go to the small town, 15 minutes away (Korovou Town) once or twice a week to get basic groceries, check my mail or watch local rugby games (I do not have a fridge so this increases my visits in order to get fresh produce). The last month or so I have been going to the bigger towns (Suva or Nausori) about once a week or every other week to get a wider variety of groceries, produce and to do work at the Peace Corps office as my computer has now completely crashed. I can't lie...when I go to the bigger towns I also take advantage of the time away and I often grab a coffee or fried chicken and sit by myself in air conditioning to rejuvenate a bit. Ultimately, the bigger town and cities give me headache from all the hustle and bustle though so I am always happy to return to the village.

Have you visited the villages of other volunteers? 

I actually haven't visited any other volunteers that live in villages, yet. I have visited a few volunteers but they have all lived in the town or city. It is definitely on my list though! I have been back to my host village a few times as well which is about 30 minutes away from where I live, by bus.

How has the devastation of the cyclone changed your work focus and goals?

After first returning to the village this was my only focus. I was asked to help fund raise for tools to help rebuild (chainsaws to cut our own timber). I spent a lot of time talking with friends and family back home asking their financial support, thoughts and prayers. My days were spent taking pictures of the damage, fixing up my own house, listening to people's stories of the night of the cyclone. Now, three months after Cyclone Winston my focus and goals are somewhat back to normal. The village and I are working on two projects including a income generating Poultry Farm for the youth and a Medical Dispensary for the village. My work at the school as a Family Life Education teacher has shifted. Classes have been focused on disaster awareness, feelings, emotions, stress-management, empathy, how to support one another, how to ask for help, where to ask for help, etc. I gave a trauma assessment to all students of the school one month after Cyclone Winston and 25% of students reported feeling depressed and/or hopeless. This shocked me and so I re-prioritized my lessons.