Fiji LDS Church College and Primary School

When we arrived in Suva, the schools were out for a 2 week break between terms.  I really like the way the school calendar works here.  They begin school in January.  The school year is divided into 3 terms, each around 16 weeks long.  Between terms they have a 2 week break and then there is about 7 weeks off after school ends.  So it's really nice. They go to school 16 weeks, have 2 weeks off, then 16 weeks again, and another 2 weeks off, and then one more 16 week segment before they end the school year.  Plus there are holidays they get days off for.   School for this year will end on November 22 and begins again in the middle of January.  So, just like in China, we will have almost 2 months of free time. 

This last week school resumed.  The first day back was a teacher in-service day.  Kim and I were asked to do a short presentation to introduce ourselves to the college teachers.  The college isn't really a college as we know it.  It is grades 7-13.  They go a year longer here and the students are allowed to stay in school until they are 21.  They might stay longer because they maybe had to miss a year because they didn't have funds or some other reason.  They also do not advance them if they don't pass the end of year testing.  So they may be longer because they failed a test.    Once they can pass the 13th year exam, then they must graduate and move on.  It's not like home but the students are kids just like in America.  We've enjoyed walking around and meeting some of them and visiting classes. 

It took us a couple of days to get over to the Primary school because of things they needed us to help with at the college, but once we were there we both felt at home.  Elementary kids are just so adorable and loving.  They all want to shake our hands and tells us hello.  I wish we were able to work more with the students.  Kim and I are trying to find a way to tutor one student in reading.  Materials are slim but I think we'll find a way. 

The plan is to start teaching the teacher courses next week.  There is basically one teacher who needs the courses so we are trying to get some other teachers to join the class just for a refresher.  We wanted to start with a class management class but Daniel, our teacher who needs the courses, has already taken that particular class.  So, we are going to teach the computer and technology class and we have 2 or 3 other teachers who are interested in taking it.  It'll be good to get started.  Most of our days right now are spent checking out the courses and looking at how we can teach them.  I'm feeling a whole lot out of my comfort zone.  It's one thing to teach a first grader, another thing to teach English as a 2nd language, BUT it's a whole 'nother ballgame to teach college courses to teachers that have degrees of some type. 

The College is about a 10 minute drive from our "flat."  The Primary School on the other hand is about a 1/2 mile from where we live.  It's just down the hill from the temple, so there is a beautiful view from the play ground.  Here are a few pictures.  I really need to take more. 

 LDS College Campus-there are several small buildings with 3-4 classrooms in each building attached together with these walkways.  The building in the back is an old traditional building and not one of the classrooms.

 This is the gymnasium.  It's quite nice.  And YES Kim is wearing a sulu--not a skirt as it appears.  He is learning how to handle it, how to sit with his legs down and together!  It's a bit difficult. 😂😅

They have a "farm" in the back.  They raise chickens for laying eggs and for "meat".

 Edward is the man in the boots.  He is the manager of the farm.  Here they are peeling Taro and cooking it in a fire pit off to the left.

 This is the home economics room.  The stoves and equipment in here are top of the line.  It's pretty amazing.  Sad part is they don't use the stoves hardly at all.

This was the teachers in-service day on their first day back.  Kim and I were asked to introduce ourselves.

 Chicks that they will raise for meat.  I'm not sure if they sell them or give them to students. 

These are new dormitories--one for boys and one for girls.  Starting in January, the new school year, they will bring in about 100 students from the neighboring islands to live in the dorms and attend the high school.  They have to be at least 11th graders.  These are kids that haven't had a lot of opportunity for education so it'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

 Another picture of the college (jr. high and high school) campus. You can see the ocean in the background.  It is so gorgeous.

 This is the cafeteria.  The students are getting their home-style cooked meals.  They cost about $2.50 which is less then $1.25 American dollars.  They have about 4-5 hot dishes and then sandwiches and other variety cold foods.  I'm impressed with their lunches.

 You can see the view better in this picture.

Last week, 3 couples from Utah brought boxes and boxes of donated supplies to the Primary school.  They also took supplies to other primary schools on the island.  The school had an assemble to thank them and present each of them with wrap around sulus.  It was a very touching assembly.

The lady in the red in Meisi.  She is the principal and is a "character" to put it lightly.  We are enjoying her strong personality.

 The Primary children in the assembly.  They have all their assemblies in the church which is right next door.  They sang their school song which is to the tune of the Baptism Song (about rainbows).  The one line that says "I want to be the BEST I can..." is the same and they really belt out "BEST."  It was adorable.

Here they are singing a Fijian Traditional Song.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  It really touched my heart and I couldn't understand of word of it!  The kindergarteners (Kindy) do not wear uniforms like the rest of the school.

 We walked around and visited all the classrooms.  Elementary age kids are the best.

I have to say the Fijian People especially the children are beautiful.  It's hard to beat the Chinese children but these Fijian's are right up there at the same level.  I think we are going to truly love serving in the schools.