This was really Ann’s day. She offered to do a class at the island school making paper woven hearts. You have to see them – you take two pieces of paper, decorate them with crayons, cut strips on each piece and then when you weave them together they make a three dimensional heart-shaped cup. Turned out to be the perfect assignment as far as the teachers were concerned because today was assessment day for grades 4, 6 and 8. They were taking their standardized tests to ensure they were keeping up with the rest of Fijian classes. Sooo…since a lot of the classes are mixed ages, testing days disrupt the normal flow. Enter Ann’s project. The Headmistress was delighted. We were a little worried when she told us there would be 35 from kindergarten through grade 7. Yipes!

Ann's day in the classroom.

But the kids are exceptionally well mannered and listen well. It took a while to corral everyone, then the “count one through five” to set up teams, then modifying the teams so they had some strong ones and kids who needed a bit more help as ascertained by the kindergarten teacher who became Ann’s aide. Once they finally dug into the project though, it was like kids anywhere. They had their paper and crayons and were on a mission. The challenge came as each finished decorating their two pieces of paper- that was where they had to have Ann or the teacher, Mary cut the paper with scissors and then do the weaving part. Or at least start the weaving for the older kids. Just as it was looking like this was going to be a giant cluster, Ann had the brilliant idea of enlisting the older kids who “got it” to help the others. So instead of two people weaving, she now had about six or so. The project went famously from there and by the end of the class time – about 90 minutes – everyone has completed a beautiful woven heart. Ann was reminded of quilting with the kids at Christ the King. Watching the boys, especially (who are taught to carve not weave) get it and see their sense of pride as they presented it to Ann to approve was just wonderful. One word of praise and as with all children, they puff up and glow with pride. Such a reward for us.

The kids quickly got to work.

Some detailed consultations.

There were two things that for us were priceless about the morning at school. The first was the pure joy in the smile as each child finished his or her heart, figured out how to open it into a cup and then show it to us. Radiant joy!

Some finished projects.

The second -and we can’t wait to post the movies – were the songs they sung for us when the project was finished. Such beautiful voices! They all know their parts to all the songs including some complicated harmonies, but not one reads music. We asked the Headmistress and she said these kids are singing before they can even talk. When we get back in the land of the internet we’ll post something and you can see for yourself. What a treat.

After the project was complete it was time for lunch. We ate with some of the relatives of the kids who were being tested. Apparently it is tradition for them to come and drink kava while the children are in testing. When in Rome, etc, so we sat under a shade cloth and drank kava and enjoyed yet another wonderful meal that included chicken, fish, cassava root, breadfruit, noodles, rice and one of the strangest things we’ve eaten yet – a Chiton. They boil them and pull the shell off. Tasted something like abalone that hasn’t been pounded enough. But good.

After school and lunch, back to Charisma for some reading and a nap. Kind of a lazy afternoon, but it’s been windy and a bit rainy. As of this evening the squally weather is passing and I think we’ll have a few really nice days. I think the paddleboards are coming out and maybe tomorrow we’re going to move to another spot in the lagoon where there might be lobsters for the taking. Stay tuned.