Somosomo District School, Fiji

Upon arrival in Tavueni, we went to the Somosomo School for a hand-over ceremony for school furniture which the Church along with a charitable organization in New Zealand had donated.  The organization we partnered with is Furniture for Schools (FFS).  FFS collects the furniture from various schools in New Zealand when they replace theirs.  Church members clean and load the donated furniture into shipping containers and the Church humanitarian program then ships it to various island destinations including Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati and now Fiji.  This good quality used school furniture is greatly appreciated by the island schools, the students and their parents.  Prior to receiving these desks and chairs, many students sat on the floor.  They are very grateful to have a new seat and a different perspective in the classroom.

When we arrived everyone was assembled in the community hall across the street from the school.  As we entered, the ceremony began and Elder Winters was asked to speak along with a one of the community leaders.  After the ceremony ended we were entertained by the older students who danced for us.  The girls danced while the boys provided the rhythm.   All the children sang and it was a great cultural experience.  Some children came up to us afterwards and gave us "Thank You" notes for the help the Church and FFS had provided.

After the ceremony and dancing everyone ate a wonderful Fijian meal.  We visited with many of the children and then drove up the road a short distance to see another potential project that our humanitarian couple, Elder and Sister Roth, are working on.  Some additional rooms are being tiled to provide additonal classroom space.

When we were finished at the Somsomo school we drove off to see additional gardens as part of the overall garden project the Roth's have been coordinating with the members on the island of Tavueni.

"For we realize that on education more than on any other factor depends the welfare of mankind."  Franklin Harris, Brigham Young Univeristy Inaugural Address, 1921