Open Day Fun

After the students did their presentations we had play time!  They call these "minor games" but they are like our field day games.

There was tug of war.

Relay Races

Blindfold games

Even the adults wanted to play!

Bucket ball (aka basketball on a budget)

A carnival game where you had to know down the coconuts shells

Some of the younger ones entertained themselves with a butterfly!

Others were just as entertained pointing at me and saying "tam tan" which means white woman.

Open Day at Volovuhu School

 In America we have Open Houses...in Vanuatu the school boundaries are off limits for anyone other than students.  I helped my school try something new!  We had an open day where the students invited their parents to come see what they have been working on.  Here are some proud parents taking a tour of the classrooms with their children!

After a picnic lunch the classes did performances for the families.  They were a mix of poetry, dramas, skits, readers theater, report presentations, and songs.  The students were so creative and of course cute :)

The finalle was a skit done by the eight grade students about high blood pressure and how to get healthy to keep it down.  Graham stuffed a pillow under his jacket to make him look overweight and after he followed the doctor's orders to eat lots of fresh fruit and exercise he was instantly slimmer (without the pillow for those that aren't following along).  This day was a big success and I look forward to making next year bigger and better.

Play time in Maewo

During the week we had lots of time to hang out and play too!  Here are our hosts making french toast with fresh coconut on top! 

We even made pizza!!  We used Vermont smoked cheddar cheese, home grown basil, and a few local tomatoes.  Yummy.

At Gambule School there is a statue that represents Vanuatu's motto "Long God Yumi Standap" which means "In God We Stand."  It is a fund place for a photo op!  My host Mama thought so too.

 

At one of the talent nights Justin decided to do a "magic" trick with the help of one of the men in his village.  They made a very very small amount of coconut turn into a huge amount of coconut.  The locals were scared and now think Justin knows black magic.  I know the secret if anyone wants to know :)

Maewo was beautiful and the sunsets stunning (even though they are everywhere in Vanuatu).

Kava blong Maewo i strong we i strong

When visiting other islands I always make sure I taste their kava...for culture learning only of course ;)  So when I was in Maewo Justin made us Kava blong Maewo with the help of his host brother and papa.  Earlier in the day the kava was pulled out of the ground.  When it was starting to get dark Justin got to work. 

First step:  rinse off the dirt.

Then cut the roots up into smaller pieces.

A piece of coral is then used to grind the kava roots into smaller pieces.

The kava is then squeezed and strained through a part of the coconut husk.

Next up...drinking!  Individual shells are made and then directly passed to the drinker by the man that made kava.  Your hands need to first be cleaned with water then you are ready to drink.

Usually men in Maewo face South and squat down while drinking but it is no longer customary.

The taste of Kava is definitely unique...but the result is pleasant.  Sometimes the initial "kick" can be a little intense!  But, it is an experience worth trying!