EVENTS OF THE YEAR.... 2002
|
EVENTS OF THE YEAR.... 2002 |
Among the most important events in our calendar this year include:
| * Welcome Party | |
| * End of Semester 1 Farewell Party | |
| * The Independence Day -- 12 July 2002 | |
| * The Open Day -- (18th October 2002) | |
| * End of Year Function | |
Generally speaking, this party always marks the beginning of each academic year. All members attending the first annual general meeting have to decide the type of party that interested them most. This year's meeting held in Room 16 at the Emalus Campus, members agreed to have a round Efate-trip and a picnic at one of Efate's distant resorts. The new members this year, Raweita, Tikutaake, Taneao, Tokanuea are the main guests as well as departing and new Executives. The function planned to fill the Saturday of week 3 in our semester one schedule.
The transports came at around 10 am which took the majority at the Halls of Residence and then off-campus members who occupied the corners of Fresh Wota 1, Ohlen, and Ah Tong. The two buses, one comprised of all females and 2 infants was under the command of Chief Tominiko while the other bus of all male and drunkards was leaded by Mank, all enjoy the routes that had already planned in the meeting. The intervening shopping in town caused the delay when the two buses were chasing and looking for each other as they were lost after the communication breakdown between the two commanding officers. Luckily the two transports managed to meet after nearly a 45 minutes give-up of the searching. Heading north on the map, we first stopped at one of the paradise beach administered by Mele village.
| There we had
lunch under the tarpaulin attached with the two transports. The 12
colourful trays of food feed everyone with smiley noticeable faces one
would conclude. After a 45 minutes of kaikai time we then continued with
our trip.
We visited all the resorts in Efate other than those in Port Vila. Everyone really enjoyed the day and came back tired with no more further intentions to go out during the nightime. The trip was a successful and enjoyable welcome party of the year. |
 |
End of Semester 1 Farewell Party
As another planned event of the year, all members put their efforts in the preparation and in their participation. It was a remarkable night, when members gathered at the well known Bamboo Royal restaurant located at the second floor of the famous Club Vanuatu. The night as planned, was a farewell party to all members who have completed their studies in semester one this year. The lots include: Ms Berenike Iuta, Mrs Eweata Tominiko, and Mantaia Tabokai.
Everyone settled at around 9 pm under the shining stars that help cause the emotional and impressive feelings all smelled good that Saturday night. The entertainer Danny beat different rhythms on his middle-sized guitar that filled that moment with traditional emotionally sounds one may claim as a romantic scene.
We are also fortunate to have our guest from Taiwan. Oops...he looks like a Taiwanese but he is from Kuria. He is Mr Glen Murdock who (as we know) came here as a tourist. He will be here for 2 months and then leave for Australia. Hope he enjoys his stay here in Vanuatu.
Oops,....its taste kaokioki, no its pure wine and Vanuatu tusker honoured the opening with cheerful and katekeraoi chatting from everyone. All, as seated in a long fantastic
 |
and
well decorated table, were well served by smart and one-touch staffs of
the restaurant. The table, full of varieties of and delicious orders make
the night full of 'dreams'. Prior to the kaikai time, Sister
Benateta opened the taibora with a small prayer. Everyone enjoyed
their food consumption with favourite rhythms from the guitarist and
entertainer Danny, the Guitarist of the Year. When the kaikai time
ended, the three guests then gave their speeches and voices of
'thanksgiving' and 'seeking forgiveness' to and from each member who are
friends and who have contributed to their successes during their stay in
Vanuatu. After the speeches, the programme came to its end when
Sister Benateta closed the function with a prayer. After the end of
the function on that night, most and all participants entered the Le
Flamingo to continue there.
You all know....what (stuffs like beer, wine and dancing) at this night club afterwards till early morning. You can conclude here what's the ending is. |
| Above: E titiraki Nike nakon neiene Taaira bwa e nang boo nningai te amwarake. Ma e tara n aki ongo neiene Taaira bwa e taua ma te kakaraki ma neiene irarikina.(photo: Tumai) |
Even though we may be a bit late in our celebration, we still have the necessary energy and power to function our machines properly for it. It is two weeks after the exact celebration day (12 July 2002) on the 28th of July but we are lucky to commemorate this important event of the year. Back home, the celebration had came to its conclusion. However, KiLSA did not give up but tried to ensure that the national anthem is sung here on Vanuatu and the national flag proudly swinging in the freshly strong winds of Melanesia.
It was Saturday morning, and everyone felt confident that the event will be fulfilled when all woke up and everything is ready for a 'kick-off'. Even though everything was done at a last minute they have been successfully managed to finish their works before the first part of the programme that morning.
The programme started at about 10 am. As usual, KiLSA and the Kiribati Community here in Vanuatu always joined hands to celebrate this important day. After the MC (Mr Karotu Tiba) opened the celebration with a kakauringaba speech, he called the choir master to lead the group with a national anthem. The Kiribati Community that comprised of those who came here in Vanuatu in 1960s did not know the song and what do you expect from them....(they will keep their mouths shut) -- but they do not...Amazingly the national anthem was sung with perfection as if they have been singing the national anthem everyday. This really indicates how much they love their real homeland.
After the flag-raising ceremony that took about 30 minutes, everyone gathered in the Kiribati Community Maneaba and prepare themselves before the second part of the celebration.
What's NEXT? asked those who always miss the meetings and also those who don't have their programme with them.
A small pikinini (child) about 5 years old replied in a confident voice, "Te Mwaie -- don't you see it on the programme? A 30 year old Vanuatu-born I-Kiribati felt ashamed when told by a small child as she had problems with reading the Kiribati language. Oh oh,......the major problem to the Kiribati Community here in Vanuatu in future. If their children drop out their language but switch to the Bislama, then the impact will possibly the communication difficulties between them and their I-Kiribati counterparts.
The mwaie: "E NONO ABANA.....E NONO ABANA" and the song goes like this with certain beats made by males who are surrounding and hitting the small wooden box while all members of the group sung the song with very high and kamangaongao tones. Its the 'kamanene', and some members of the two groups stood up and danced freely over the rest of the group who were sitting down. Mmmm,..this is how a Kiribati traditional dance is performed!!!! The dancing master and the MC were very active.. are they both best dancers from these two groups. Why they both got red eyes and danced as if they were in a night club. Oh,....the report received was that they both went out to the night club and straight from the night club they joined the celebration.
The mwaie ended at around 1245pm and the MC announced the 'kakai time'. Everyone goes to the table full of varieties of food that taotiranako in that day. Straight after lunch, the two groups enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with indoor and outdoor games full of laughter and fun. Unimwane and rorobuaka continued their celebration drinking fresh strong kava when the formal part of the programme concluded that afternoon. Ana angamwi 'unaine' they played 'kaburuburu' instead.
Everyone came back that night feeling tired but guess what....all wearing smiley faces before they went to sleep and totally forget the fun and excitement they have shared that day.
We are also proud to participate at this year's USP Open Day here at Emalus on the 18th of October 2002. We apologize that our reporters did not get the full story as they did not attend the opening because they were too busy cooking for their stall that morning. Further, they did also miss the cultural show from each cultural groups as they were struggling with their studies before their exams at the following week. Anyway, the KiLSA is glad to be part of the show and hopes that this should not be the end of their participation in any school activities.
The KiLSA thanks all those who have participated during the show. Not only that but we extend our acknowledgement to the Ministry of Education, the scholarship officer Baneawa Nenebwati in particular who have provided the traditional costumes before the day. We also thank Temanori Tiire who brought the costumes from Kiribati when attending their workshops here in Vanuatu. All your efforts and contribution had made the performance a great success for the association.
KiLSA also thanks the Itoi-ni-Ngaina group (not the real one) from the Married Quarters for their stall which helps all the members regaining their energies from the traditional foods (bekei, oraora, buatoro, and many more) they have prepared that day. Tikutaake, Teretia and Tumai, thank you all and may your Karikirake in future consider reducing the prices of your AMWARAKE.
Like the End of Semester One Function, this marks the end of this academic year. This is held at the canteen on the 19th of October, a day after the Open Day. Again, the reporters failed to report the full detail, as they are not busy but forget everything after too much kaokioki (or beer). The function also purposes to say 'farewell' to graduating students this year, Botika Maitinnara and Taburuea Rubetaake. During your stay with us, we thank you for having shared the great fun we have here in Vanuatu. We wish you lots of luck in your future plans and especially in your future careers.
Our reporters heard that one of the guest was sick at that time and we felt sorry since this day had been planned for them. Anyway, we also heard that one criminal (a member) was trying to disturb the peace, but luckily the early 'closing of the bar' stop this person from making any more nuisance stories. We thank this person who refused to give her name for all the funny stories she had shared that night that made the party a lively and kaunga one!!!
The food prepared for this day was from groups of two, the same pattern as in the picnic -- Waa Ture. Sister Benateta won the best tuure prize while Teanneki won the 'first-come tuure' prize. Everyone seems to look overjoyed that they forgot that the Tabati was approaching.
We also have some new faces this time, they are Mrs Miikari Ooka and Ten Tabera Amota. Mrs Miikarii came back from Laucala Campus while Ten Tabera far away from Hamburg Germany. Welcome both of you and hope you taste the Vanuatu botaki-style.
Again, everyone came back very exhausted.
Copyright © KiLSA 2002