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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE January 10, 2006
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| December 3, 2005 |
Lautoka, Fiji – Strengthening Friendships in Fiji |
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| Peace Boat participants browse a range of Fijian goods, sold at a market by FRIEND |
When Peace Boat docked in Lautoka, Fiji on December 3, several participants took the chance to meet representatives from a Fijian organization called the Foundation for Rural Integrated and Development (FRIEND). Friend is a non-government organization working to alleviate poverty by creating opportunities for communities to use their resources in a meaningful manner. |
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| Friend’s Fiji Style: the handmade greeting card brand made by these deaf youths from FRIEND |
FRIEND hosted a market especially for Peace Boat participants, selling a variety of special products and food made by local people. Handicrafts included hand woven bags, tapa, coconut jewelry and coconut oil. Beautifully crafted cards, made by deaf youths of the areas were also on offer, and participants from the ship were able to also meet and watch the youths in action making the cards. |
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| Young performers from the newly formed theatre group perform at FRIEND |
Participants were treated to a drama performance by local youths who had just experienced a two-week drama workshop thanks to trainers from the Suva-based NGO Women’s Action for Change. The performance was based on a myth called God and Goddess which weaves both traditional Fijian and Indian legends together, and effectively conveys the multi-ethnic culture that is found in contemporary Fiji.
Sashi Kiran, Co-founder and Coordinator of FRIEND, said the market was a good opportunity for the two NGOs – FRIEND and Peace Boat – to begin networking. “It was a good opportunity to meet people with similar concerns, and I look forward to seeing how we can build on our relationship since Peace Boat will be returning to Lautoka in March 2006,” she said. |
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