Inspiration Award winner finds kindness in Kirabiti
Inaugural Inspiration award winner Tammy Kingi went to Kirabiti in June for her Pacific Youth Award experience. Here, she reflcects on how kind and welcoming her host family was.
What a beautiful morning! Today I woke up in Vunaivesere in Nadi, Fiji. The hospitality shown by my Fiji host family was more than special. I prepared to travel to Kiribati this morning and I was set for what was ahead. Looking down from the plane arriving into Kiribati was a beautiful sight. I could see that Tarawa was completely surrounded by water and it was an awesome sight. We landed in Tarawa, Kiribati and I noticed that on either side of the plane were the homes of Kiribati people and the local roads. The air strip doubled as a road. What an experience. Arrival to the airport was amazing, the place was small and there were three counters for 50 people and no computers. It was another hour before I was allowed out of the airport. I opened the two doors that stood between me and the exit and standing right there with open arms was my host mum with a cardboard sign that said ‘Ms. Tammy Kingi’. I felt so special to be greeted by my host family with hugs and a head piece which was beautifully made especially for my arrival. I thanked the good lord for bringing me safely to such a warm and inviting home country.
Left to Right: Amon (Host Dad), Rolo (Friend), Tekinati (Host Mum), Etekia (Host Brother). Picking me up from the Kiribati airport. They were holding a cardboard sign with my name ‘Ms Tammy Kingi’ written on it.
I jumped on the back of the community ute which took us for a mini tour around the airport area of Tarawa before heading to what was to become home for the next two weeks. This small drive made me realize the weather was VERY hot, housing was humble, a lot of development was needed but most importantly I noticed that the people were very happy. When we reached our home village Bikenibeu, the family members of my host family and several children were waiting. I was shown my lunch, a spread of delicious breadfruit chips, apples and FIJI water. I was told to eat light because we were going to have such a massive feast for dinner which I really didn’t mind as the heat was near unbearable. I was shown to my own hut I would live in which came with a shelving system for my luggage, a clothes line to dry my clothes on, mattress and mosquito net. I also had a few plugs installed as I needed a light for my hut. I loved the fact that my family had gone to so much trouble to make me feel comfortable and make me feel welcomed!
I was then shown to the bathroom which was located on the other side of the main house and it was a toilet with an old car wheel frame next to it which you place your bucket. Before the door there are two large barrels of water filled with the water supply from the Government every two days and you fill your bucket with that water, place it on the car wheel frame and use a smaller cup to bathe with. I knew this experience would be a different one to what I am used to but I was more than up for the challenge.
My sleeping quarters for my time in Kirabiti.
After lunch, my host Mum Tekinati said we should go for a walk through town which consists of six shops, a bank, the local market place and the police station. This strip is the main strip for shopping that many people come too especially to top up resources. Tekinati could tell I was overwhelmed by the heat and took me for a swim in the lagoon right behind our place. Although was very dirty on the shore side, I did not mind at all as I was so hot at that stage and I was envious of the kids who looked like they were having a lot of fun splashing around in the water. My host mum and I went in the water and talked for a couple of hours and did not leave the pool until dark. After that I felt much cooler.
When we got home we said the rosary, which the family says every night. I was amazed by everything. The children were so disciplined and everyone took part in the ritual. This was an awesome experience as I am not a Catholic but was totally open to the blessing. My host family had been preparing the feast for most of the day and they were still cooking. I think it took a while because there were only two kerosene elements and an open fire for cooking. Everything looked and smelled so good, I HAD TO TASTE EVERYTHING. There was a fish dish which was great, sweet and sour soup, mince curry, steamed rice, fried breadfruit, noodles, pumpkin, chicken drums and sweet and sour Chicken. After dinner I had a taste of a Pandanus dish called Tue which takes two days to prepare. You boil the Pandanus fruit and let it sit for two days. You then add coconut milk (boil on the fire to make sure it’s cooked) and brown sugar and then you soak the fruit in the cream. It was delicious.
From left to right: A feast was prepared by my host family - Kabeang (cousin), Nei Taara (aunty), Kareinako (uncle), Merea (niece), Roiti (niece), Rosary (sister), Tatoo (nephew), Biriaam (sister), Bebe (niece), Tekinati (Host Mum), TAMM (Me) and Etekia (brother). Photo taken by Amon (Dad).
After dinner I helped pack away the dishes and wash them and then prepared for bed. We actually went to the local DVD store at the road side of the house and got a DVD to watch for bed time. I was still really tired from last night but we just stayed up and I fell asleep in the living area so woke up eventually and went to sleep in my new house. I was really glad to finally be in Kiribati, what a blessing! Ko na Mauri to you all which is Hello in the Kiribati language.
Click on the link below to read about Samuela Siilata's time at Weta Workshop as an apprentice:
