On a tropical island, in Vanuatu, the ‘Must See’ travel adventure destination of the South Pacific, we waited for our Sunday lunch to be served. Fanned by the cool ocean breezes we watched the rays of the sun dance and sparkle off the brilliant blue-green waters of the harbour. Sipping a delicate Australian Sauvignon Blanc, we saw three young Ni-Vanuatu boys casting a net just a few feet away, in the time honoured traditions of their forefathers.
With great care the boys trawled their net onto the white coral shore, in their minds retracing the images of having watched their brothers, fathers and grandfathers repeat this timeless custom. Seeking for the smallest of fish caught between the folds of the net, the beams of delight on the boys faces told it all. Triumphantly they held each tiny fish between forefinger and thumb before being dropped into an awaiting 300ml green Tusker beer bottle (the locally brewed and well accepted beer).
Watching the young boys act out the ancient rite of their people was a relaxing and enjoyable pastime for us. A welcome break after our 25k eco-tour bike ride, enjoying an early morning kayak paddle up the lagoon, or snorkelling over the reef admiring the numerous coloured fish, or lazing in the warm sun at the resort’s swimming pool.
We thought these industrious young boys were gathering the fish in hope of catching enough to make a meal, just like some people gather whitebait. We did wonder though if the fish would be ‘cooked’ in the bottle long before the boys managed to get them home.
Again and again the young boys rushed out into the ocean and repeated the process, the water gleaming off their fit brown bodies. Each drag of the net to the shore enabled the boys to gather at least a couple of the tiny fish.
Suddenly, one of the boys produced a plastic bottle around which he had wound a long length of fishing line. It took several minutes for him to extract a fish from the bottle and with great care attach the tiny ‘catch’ to an equally small fishing hook.
At last, satisfied, he plunged out towards the deeper water, where he cast his fishing line for the real task at hand – catch a good size fish for the family’s evening meal.
To us it may have appeared as if it was a game to these young men, but in fact it was a real-life undertaking, that would sustain them through the years ahead. There is no free education in Vanuatu and over 25% of the children will never have the opportunity to go to school. The ingenuity of taking hold of opportunities that present themselves on a daily basis, such as a discarded glass beer bottle on the shoreline, combined with the customs and traditions of their parents, will keep these children alive. Our challenge is to help them move into the 21st century without losing the uniqueness of their rich cultural heritage.
Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation, (http://youmesupport.org) supplying high school education grants to kids who will never go to high school without outside assistance. They are offering a world first, Blue Moon Opportunity, you can’t afford to miss. Do yourself a favour and spend a few minutes taking a look at http://winaresort.com. You can contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org
