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NEW FEATURE: Keeping track of blogs with Tags and Pages 
Exciting news – we’ve just released the biggest update Tribewanted.com has seen since the release of the new layout over a month ago! This time, we’re building on the new visual layout by providing a better way to track both new and old content on Tribewanted.com. To do so, we have introduced two new concepts to Tribewanted.com: Pages and Tags. What are Tags? Tags are common themes across blogs. Any member of Tribewanted can tag their blog postings based on the blog’s content. If you’re looking for member blogs based on a topic, you’ll find them grouped under tags. Read more information on how to use tags here! What are Pages? Pages are curated groups of information about specific topics. Pages are maintained by Tribewanted.com moderators and aim to provide facts about Tribewanted, Vorovoro, the project, the Tribe members, and other related resources. There is easy access to all of the new changes on the Tribewanted blog landing page, http://www.tribewanted.com/blogs Add your feedback on this new development for Tribewanted.com |
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Chief Timoci & the tribe gives the Vale II a big thumbs up! 
Voting for March Chief has now come to an end and, on behalf of the tribe, congratulations goes to James on being elected Chief. We all wish him the best of luck for the upcoming month! That now means that we have elected Chiefs for March and April 2008, however, we're still awaiting applications for Chief from May 2008 onwards! Read up on what it takes to be a Chief on Vorovoro, and get your applications in now
Voting for the next block of Accommodation on Vorovoro has also come to a close and an overwhelming majority has given their approval for construction of the next Vale to go ahead. Looks like Chief Timoci will have one more project to add to his list for March 2008! |
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Sustainability Manager on Vorovoro: Apply Now 
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER Role
Requirements
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Pictures: Tribewanted at ONELIFE London 29th Feb / 1st March
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Progress in Paradise: Chief's Blog 
When I arrived the beginning of February, I found new buildings and new features in the Tribe Village that I had not been aware of. Even though I am regularly on line, I have missed the reporting of the building of new buildings, all of which are now on the interactive map, so everyone should now be informed of what is here. A good part of the space available to us on Vorovoro is now occupied. Once the new sleeping vale is constructed that may be the extent of our expansion. At this time The Ecotricity bure is being evaluated for remodeling, we can’t risk the solar powered equipment to get wet. On Monday work should start, weather permitting. The basic structure will stay the same, but a weather proof roof and siding are the most important features. A lot of work has gone in to creating the Ecotricity facility and it is being put to good use charging all of our devices, phones, ipods, computers and of course lighting, minimal but so useful…..so this is upper most in my priority list –the men have said they can do this in less than week, as long as we get all the materials in today, and it looks like that is happening. By talking to PuPu Eppeli we have found a way to get the marine ply at a good price even though the mill was apparently closed. Read the full article and add your comments at Tribewanted.com!
Last night a silvery moon presided over the celebratory grog session, the breeze was the coolest I have felt since I arrived but PuPuEpeli said it actually could get better, I said I did not think it could! We had a good sevusevu session with TuiMali and the members who have just arrived, 8 in all. After the formal presentation of the Kava and traditional words that sound like a chant to us, (a few of which I now recognize) TuiMali had some good laughs with us over new arrival, Paul’s “cup stacking” ability..We will fill you in on that later, but in short he will be participating in the world cup in Denver, Colorado this year, representing the UK in his age group. TuiMali tried his hand at this new “sport” and the trials brought a good round of laughter. The sevusevu is not all seriousness! It is a chance for TuiMali to get to know the people who are arriving and he makes an effort to talk to each arriving person, any and all can have a chat with him. I talked with him at length about what we had accomplished in the last month. The whole day was relaxed and to celebrate Tavita’s birthday TuiMali decided to stay for the incredible dinner that Va, Kessa and assistant this week, Emily, had prepared for us as if it were the easiest thing in the world to prepare a feast for about 35 of us, fresh fish, taro, breadfruit, veggies, more than we could eat. All on three burners…but in the now newly painted kitchen, (utensils have been painted to match) Kessa says she really loves her “new” kitchen, and Va asked if I would put up more decorations, Kessa wants curtains -to be finished this week. If the ladies have to work hard at preparing our food (and so graciously) then it is just that they should work in a cheery environment. Read the full article and add your comments at Tribewanted.com! |
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Tribal voice from the island - 29.02.08 From Giles on Vorovoro: Solution to last week's (22.02.08) 'Tribal Voice From the Island'
This week 1. Can more info about Labasa be provided on the site? More options of where to stay. Tribe number often on answerphone (bad reception on V2), need to make a better effort to keep it in reception. Otherwsie chance of a landline on V2? 2. Better dialogue with STA, they seem confused as to what days people should arrive. 3. Wish list: English dictionaries, Atlas’s, Solar Lights, Sports equip (rugby balls, footballs) 4. More people now in camp, more personal responsibility to be taken on keeping things tidy. group agreement for no one to be smoking at dining table while people are eating 5. Set up a cloths washing area by waterfall, make a wringer, wash bowls etc. 6. Shower stop/go sign to be made 7. encourage people to pick their own fruit more 8. Goats, are they poss? (explained that this had already been a big topic of discussion) 9. People who are good at music, bring your instruments! 10. Being on the kava mat but not drinking, is it ok? (explained that maqa na leqa, its great that people are just there) 11. Everyone loves meke! (meke ergo sum) View the discussion and add your thoughts at Tribewanted.com! |
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Chicken Catching - James Atkinson and Lottie Ireland 
Talking to Pupu Epeli is always going to be fascinating. And when the subject is chickens, you know that the consequences are bound to be interesting. Since the cyclone there have been chickens wandering around the island and being a general annoyance: namely keeping antisocial hours which simply don’t fit well with the community feel of the island! Which self respecting islander would start scratching around right outside the bedroom door at 5am?? But efforts by the tribal team have been made to recapture the birds and put them in the new chicken coup that was built behind the village. So far, around 40 of the 50 birds have been banged to rights and no longer govern the hours of sleep on the island. Sitting in the sun drinking coconut milk straight for the fruit, I saw the chickens sitting a good couple of metres up in the trees round to the side of the kitchen. I’d not seen any sign that these birds would have a chance of making it off the ground, but Pupu said that they were getting ready to roost for the night out of harms way. He told me that they’re easiest to catch at night because they’d be sleeping. He explained that by cutting an onion so that it fans out, splitting the top of a stick into three and then placing the onion into the stick is where to begin when staking out a chicken. When it’s fast asleep, place it under their nose and they’ll pass out and drop out of the tree. Simple as anything! Incidentally, he also told me how to steal a pig…make big gooey dumplings, put them in the pen and then while their mouth is full snatch them and they won’t be able to make a sound! I always knew he had a shady past! Read the full article and share your thoughts on Tribewanted.com! |
From our next Tribe Manager, Amy Briden: Wow! I found out that I was going to Fiji two weeks ago after being accepted onto the tribe team and have been jumping around with excitement ever since. I feel like I am living in a bubble of complete happiness and am ecstatic that this time next week I will be on the island! This really is a dream come true… Fiji has fascinated me for such a long time; the allure of the many remote islands surrounded by stunning turquoise seas, the welcoming Fijian people, the enchanting culture combined with kava ceremonies and dances, the dramatic sunsets as well as it being the soft coral capital of the world…the list goes on! I first found about Tribe Wanted last year and I couldn’t quite believe that it was absolutely everything that I had been searching for! When I read about the various eco-projects that were being initiated on the island, the involvement with the local Fijian community, the relationship Tribe Wanted had with the local school and the idea that the project is linking people from all over the world, I was captivated! I signed up to the newsletter straight away, read and re-read the website, visited tribal gatherings and have been following the development of Tribe Wanted ever since… Although I worked for a Volunteer Company in the UK arranging volunteer placements overseas; spending everyday chatting about countries, travel and culture as well as making sure every volunteer was ready for their big adventure; I knew that it was time that I had to put my vision into practice and act. I found that being confined to an office was extremely hard when I am really designed to be outdoors with the sun on my face; being part of the action! I was desperate to be part of the Tribe Wanted team as I am passionate about conservation and sustainable development and strongly believe in the importance of environmental education, cultural sensitivity and responsible travel. I applied for the role as Tribe Manager as I love meeting new people, working alongside a like-minded team and am really enthusiastic about becoming involved in the many worthwhile projects, with the bonus of being able to live on an island in the South Pacific! |
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Preparing for the Half Way Celebration 
Obviously we all feel that there is something very special about reaching the half way point in the existence of Tribewanted here on Vorovoro and so construction projects (the Ecotricity Hut and new shower walls) will come to a halt sometime tomorrow as work begins on the grounds and gardens so that Vorovoro will look it’s best on Saturday. This celebration is beginning to take on far reaching importance. Food planning has begun, invitations sent and this morning Tevita, Kessa, Frances and I went over the lists of what needs to be purchased to host about 60 people who will arrive at Malau at 8:30 on the infamous Malau Bus and board our boats for the 35 minute boat trip here to Vorovoro. I am seated looking out to sea in the outdoor kitchen area, TuiMali is here, the guys are singing with guitar accompaniment around the tanoa just in front of the Gran Bure; the sun has just set and the colors are extending across the sky, the seas are calm and the tide is slowly rising. We have had the first sunny day in about four days; a welcome breeze is blowing after a very muggy breezeless day. Everyone did wash today and mattresses and linen came out for an airing in the sun. It is again, one of those perfect evenings. I can hear Marau, Sossi, Leavi and Tale laughing at their non stop teasing and joking as always on these easy evenings when TuiMali comes for his weekly visit and we have SevuSevu for the new arrivals, 5 since last Tuesday. The very enjoyable film crew from New Caladonia will be leaving on Wedensday and 5 new tribe members arrive, they won’t have much time to learn the Mekes that we will do for our guests on Saturday, but we have had a few good afternoon and evening practices already and things are shaping up quickly. Save has developed some good techniques for helping us to pick up the moves more quickly; Tevita has been joining in to give emphasis to the character of the moves. TuiMali is enjoying that people are less stiff while doing the Meke these days, and really having fun with them. Occasionally they tell us a few bits and pieces of the stories which the Meke hand and body movements are telling and it helps to remember, but still, we have yet to be told the whole story! |
From Adam in Australia: As part of my role as Tribewanted Online Community Manager, I’m in the process of developing a new section of the website – Testimonials If you’ve already traveled to Vorovoro within the last one and a half years, and you're able to send me answers to the following questions, I would be extremely grateful: 1- How did you find out about Tribewanted? Please send me a picture of yourself in action on Vorovoro, along with your short answers to the above questions
Pictured: Giles shows how it's done |
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New Photos/Videos/Audio from Feb 08 on Vorovoro Thanks to our island team, we have just received a bunch of new photos, videos and audio recordings from Vorovoro 
More Tribewanted videos on Youtube
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There is some important discussion going on in the forums this week, so pop on over and add your voice to these threads:
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