Publication of MediaMay Department 04, 2015 Government of Tuvalu Email: [email protected]

May 04, 2015

Fenui e-newsletter is publicized with the approval of the Tuvalu Media General Manager Melali Taape Relocation to bigger countries is not an op- Stories this week:

Funafuti MP agreed tion, said Prime with PM on the issue of protection of is- lands Minister Sopoaga Page 3

Niulakita Island need new school’s building

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Tuvalu’s vulnerability to climate change will be staged at 56th Ven- ice Biennale

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TVF will host Secon- dary School tournament RELOCATION to bigger countries the newly established government Page 12 because of impacts of climate change heard the voices of the people about is not an option favors by the govern- their fears and worries about disasters ment of the day. and climate change impacts getting ...and more In the Prime Minister and cabi- more intense for their small islands to net Minister’s tour to all the islands of bear. Tuvalu after Tropical Cyclone Pam, ...continue to page 2 1 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015 ...continue from page 1 may be more challenging ‘pulaka’ plantation (a Most of the needs

The islanders witnessed in the new location.” root crop similar to taro) raised by the people on firsthand the devastation He said education at side that the peo- the outer islands to gov- caused by strong wind and is the key for Tuvaluans ple depended on for food, ernment are similar such storm surges from Tropi- to survive. had been completely bur- as tractors for transporting cal Cyclone Pam which “Government pri- ied by sand and gravels the big rubbish during destroyed houses and oritizes the education of by the storm surges dur- clean up of the islands, properties as well as live- our citizens, so that they ing Cyclone Pam. water pumps to pump out stock and food crops. have the wisdom, skills “ We are now left the water from cisterns Hon Enelee Sosene and expertise to survive in with two smaller pulaka and tanks infiltrated by Sopoaga told the people these harsh climates.” plantations, if they die too seawater, new clinics to of the nation that the tour “And if we leave because of seawater intru- replace those that were was for the government our beloved country, we sion and likewise our destructed, seawalls, fish- Ministers to eye-witness will no longer have own- breadfruit trees , our peo- ing boats, new ramp or the devastation caused by ership of our waters and ple will no longer have boat harbor for Nanumaga and to come to one under- we will loose our identity pulaka nor breadfruits for and many more. standing with the people as Tuvaluans,” said Sopo- food,” said the President Hon Sopoaga em- in the nation about the aga. of the Nanumaga Kau- phasized the importance impacts of Cyclone Pam. Elders took in the pule , Paka Simona. of the support of islands, In consultations message courageously and The Acting Chief and Kaupules (Island with the people on Nanu- asked Government to of Nanumaga, Reete Councils) in working to- mea island, one of the speed up with protection Maluai proposed for relief gether with the govern- men proposed to the tour- of their islands before an- supplies for Nanumaga to ment to fulfill what is ing contingent for govern- other disaster strikes. continue for a longer pe- needed to be done as im- ment to assist locals in “ I was born and riod considering that it mediate, medium and long migrating to other coun- raised on this beautiful will take long for the is- term goals for the protec- tries overseas to escape paradise and into it’s earth land to recover from im- tion of islands and for the from impacts of climate I will go when I die,” said pacts of Cyclone Pam and safety of the lives of the Change on their tiny Lotonuu Nukualofa of storm surges. people from disasters. atolls. . Compensations for The Islanders Prime Minister “ I don’t want to lost lands was also raised thanked the government Sopoaga responded that move away from my be- to the touring contingent. for paying a visit to the relocation is not an option loved island, but some- “It may be alright islands just after their new but asked instead for the thing must be done imme- for a person who pos- government was estab- people to have courage diately to protect my is- sesses three to four lands, lished to see with their and not to let impacts of land from natural disasters but a person whose only own eyes the destructions climate change make and especially storm land was amongst those caused by TC Pam■ them leave their beloved surges,,” said the Vice washed away, will have country. president of the no coconut trees nor That was the mes- Falekaupule Tailolo Petio. ‘utanu’ (germinating nuts) sage he took to the people Most of the islands to live on”, said Iosua on all the islands of Tu- visited in the tour have Lauave of Island. valu. lost a lot of lands and tra- For lost lands, the “We cannot run ditional food trees and Prime Minister said that a away from a problem. If crops have to started to survey has to be done in we leave our islands and die from the salty water order to get accurate data move to another country, that swept onto the lands. to support Tuvalu’s voice What remains of Kalilaia islet we may also encounter On Nanumaga when asking for assis- island, the biggest tance from donor partners. on Nukulaelae island after TC problems and issues that Pam: PM’s visit.

2 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015 Member to Par- Taiwan Government presented Tuvalu liament agrees with Prime Government with LED lights and solar Minister that protection of street lights By Pua Pedro islands is priority By Yvette D’Unienville

THE Funafuti Member to Parliament totally agreed with the Prime Minister Hon Enelee Sosene Sopoaga that the protection of is- lands from impacts of cyclones and espe- cially storm surges has to be the number one priority for the nation considering the damages caused by TC Pam storm surges . During consultations between Cabi- net Ministers and Funafuti people, Hon said that the protection of islands is of the utmost importance before another disaster strikes. “ We have seen and heard about the severe impacts of cyclones on all islands of Tuvalu , but my worst fear is abut the de- structive impacts of storm surges, so we Hon Prime Minister thanking Taiwan Ambassador HE Jason Wan for the need to act quickly to protect our islands.” kind donation Photo: Semi Malaki He pointed out that if the recent TUVALU Government received a donation of LED lights and storm surges had continued for two more solar street lights from Taiwan through its Ambassador His Ex- days, most properties would have disap- cellency Jason Wan. peared. At the Cabinet’s conference room ( when) Cabinet Min- Funafuti also raised the need for isters received the LED bulbs and tubes and solar street lights coastal protection such as seawalls, re- and His Excellency Wan said that the when the new lights are claimed land, beach nourishment, a break- used, the current lights will be given to families. water to prevent the waves from reaching Acting Director of Energy Kapuafe Lifuka told Tuvalu the shore of the island, an alumimium land- News that the current lights used at the Government building ing craft for Funafala people, clinic, School consumes a lot of power but the new LED lights will consume building and power for Funafala. less power which is great news to the government. The island also need the paths lead- The new LED bulbs and tubes will soon be installed. ing to its church and Falekaupule to be tar Lifuka said that these lights and solar street lights are sealed to prevent soil erosion and for better purchased under annual funding donated by Taiwan to the En- access for vehicles as the venue is where ergy Department and instead of receiving cash, the Department most of the government functions are held, requested Taiwan to donate the fund through such items that an investigation to be conducted on oil benefit the country as a whole. spills in the Funafuti lagoon and for the Apart from the bulbs and tubes, Taiwan also pre- government to sort out the issues regarding sented solar street lights. the borrow pit project . He said that Government usually spends around eight Hon Enelee Sosene Sopoaga said thousand dollars per month for electricity, and this covers lights the Government will work together with the only excluding air-condition and other electricity appliances. Kaupule and Falekaupule to fulfil be ad- The new LED bulbs and tubes lasts three years and Tai- dressed■ wan has confirmed that it will continue to replace the lights■

3 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015

Niulakita needs a new school building By Yvette D’Unienville

Hon Prime Minister Enelee Sosene Sopoaga stressed that edu- cation is critical to developing the capacity of our people so that they could save themselves in times of disasters. According to Maani, the proposal regarding the need to in- crease the size of the Niulakita School building will be submitted to Cabinet for approval. Minister for Health Hon Satini Manuella in support of the need for a new school building pointed out that education always goes together with health. “Education will be in vain if the minds and bodies of our people are not healthy,” he said. Cracked beam of the Niulakita Primary School’s building Photo: Semi Malaki Manuella says the clinic on the island needs to be upgraded, THE Primary school facility on Cabinet during their recent tour to and should have power supply for Niulakita is in a deteriorating state the island witnessed the need for a proper storage of medicines in the and needs to be rebuilt to make it new school building for the island. clinic’s refrigerator. safe for the children to attend Hon Minister of Education Meanwhile, the Niulakita school comes rain or bad weather. Youth and Hon Fauoa Maani clinic has a backup generator, but The roofing sheets are rusty agrees that the school is in a bad as it is situated away from the and leak and the walls have big state and need improvement. clinic, a cable is needed to take the cracks. “There is funding to build a electricity to the clinic. According to elderly people new school building, but it’s not Niulakita is included in the on the island, school was always enough to build a bigger school renewable energy project for the cancelled during rainy days because building as required, in order to islands of Tuvalu; but the back gen- of the condition of the school build- cater for an increase in the school erator is still needed for the island ■ ing. roll in case more people moved to The Prime Minister and his settle on the island,” said Maani. TO subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter. Just sent your email address to [email protected]

4 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015

BRIEFS Tuvalu’s vulnerability to cli-

THE Statistic Department is to conduct a survey on house- mate change will be staged at hold’s earnings and expenses in July this year. Director of th Statistic Department, Semu Malona said the survey intends 56 Venice Biennale to gather information about how much families contribute By Semi Malaki to the economy, targeting Funafuti and four of the outer islands to be selected randomly. This survey is done in the Pacific region and is conducted every five years. Malona TUVALU’S vulnerability to impacts of climate change reveals that surveyors who were recruited to assist in con- will be staged by Taiwanese artist at the 56th Venice Bien- ducting the 2010 survey are likely to be recruited to work nale in Italy next week. on this year’s survey. The department is now preparing Crossing the Tide is the theme for the Tuvalu Pa- questionnaires and other important matters to be dealt with in relation to the survey■ vilion for the 56th Venice Biennale which reflects on the plea of small island nations facing the effects of global Drafting of a national legislation embracing appliance climate change. labeling and standards is taking shape in its first draft . Taiwanese artist Vincent Huang says the theme is Acting Director of Energy Department Kapuafe Lifuka manifested by rising sea levels and increasing severe said they contracted a TA to carry out this task and they were informed that draft legislation is completed. The next storms causing floods, and ultimately threatens the future step is getting together senior government officials to take of these small island nations such as Tuvalu, located in the a look at the new drafted legislation before consultations Pacific Ocean. with stakeholders took place. He said cabinet approved the He says his work is trying to send a message to the drafting of this legislation in 2012 to ensure that major world about how vulnerable Tuvalu is to the impact of electricity consuming appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditions and lights meet a minimum level of climate change. legally enforceable performance standards and that energy The Tuvalu Pavilion features a flooded pavilion rating labels are affixed to these products. The draft legisla- which connects the flooding of Tuvalu to the flooding of tion will be submitted to parliament for approval when all Venice. consultations are done■ Huang said “the pavilion considers how he has

The GCCA: PSIS project Steering Committee approved taken on climate change as the subject matter of their for a technician from abroad to train Kaupule officers, work, and connects to the overall theme of the 56th Ven- local farmers and casual workers under the project in the ice Biennale, All the World’s Futures in approaching the operation and maintenance of every equipment. In its re- “fresh appraisal of the relationship of art and artists to the cent meeting, Chairman Mr Itaia Lausaveve says this is for current state of things.” the two tractors, two trailers and two excavators. Amalinda Satupa a committee member says in the meantime the pro- Huang has been working on issues related to cli- ject have received two tractors except other equipments mate change since 2005 and created his first art project on which expected to arrive on the cargo vessel this month. Tuvalu in 2010. The training is to conduct with a period of one week for From 2010 Vincent J.F. Huang has been closely machine operators on Island and other bases■ connected to Tuvalu, visiting the island nation on several

Prime Minister Hon Enelee Sosene Sopoaga and his wife occasions and keeping close contact with the Tuvalu gov- hosted a dinner last Friday evening at the Tamafine o te ernment and community organizations on issues of cli- Namo. According to information, the dinner was to mark mate change. the end of a successful tour to the outer islands – post Huang said that Hon Sam P Teo was invited to the Tropical cyclone PAM. The tour was to eye-witness the opening of the biennale next week on behalf of the For- impacts of TC Pam and storm surges on the islands of Tu- valu.The function started off with evening devotion at half eign Minister■ past six with Rev Kautoa Molotii, followed by the Speech from the host, cabinet Ministers, a representative from the touring party and a representative from the Island Commu- Listen to Radio Tuvalu nities on Funafuti. Entertainment was held with one item each from each of the departments under the Ministry. Hon Sopoaga thanked all those who have contributed daily news in English through the work they did in assisting the people on islands affected by TC Pam and storm surges■ @ 7:10 every night.

5 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015 Cleaning up after TC Pam Niulakita raised could take months By Semi Malaki need for a recrea- tional shelter to be built to accommo- date children going on school trips By Yvette D

ALL the islands of the nation got the best opportunity to raise their needs in relation to impacts of TC Pam as well as needs beyond natural disaster is- sues, during the recent tour of the Prime Minister and cabinet Ministers TWO months after the islands of were of the Ship-to-shore pro- to the islands. Tuvalu were battered by storm jects which were stacked along- Niulakita proposed for govern- surges from Category 5 Cyclone side the coast but were swept ment assistance in establishing a rec- Pam, roads on some of the is- ashore by storm surges during reational shelter with a water tank, lands remain close while the peo- TC Pam. where students on the island can hold ple on the islands continue to The same applies to the their educational programs during work to clear the roads. island of and Nukufetau field trips , either a tractor or two or During the Prime Minis- in the central islands. three wheels with trailers, and a boat. ter and cabinet ministers’ visit to On Vaitupu island, the The deputy island leader – affected islands, they saw big back road at Asau side was Fepuali explained to Ministers, that rocks, stones, sand and fallen blocked by thick layers of sand the school used to hold field trips and l trees blocking some of the roads, and rocks and member of the visits to educational sites far from the making access difficult to some community also asked for gov- main village, however parents always parts of the island. ernment assistance with equip- fetched their children before the pro- On all the islands af- ments to assist in cleaning up the gram ended as they were worried fected , able men and women of island. about the weather. the community work together to An elderly member of the He said “ such a building will shovel sands and rocks out of the Nukufetau Island community accommodate the children when they roads while some islands re- asked the touring party to assist go on such educational trips and the quested the PM touring party for in rebuilding the island’s seawall water tank will provide water for government assistance in provid- and requested for a machinery to them.” ing equipments. pick up and transfer the big rocks During consultations with peo- On Island, elders of to the seawall. ple on the island , the Head of the the community pleaded with They said the cleaning up touring delegation – Prime Minister Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga up of the island could take Hon Enele Sosene Sopoaga said, the for government to provide heavy months to complete. need is crucial for educational pur- machineries to lift big rocks out Prime Minister Sopoaga poses, however the government will of the main road at the western reassured all the communities try to sort out the needs. coast of the main settlement. that the government will try its They said these big rocks best to get what is necessary■ ...continue to page 7

6 NATIONAL NEWS

May 04, 2015 ...continue from page 6 Nukulaelae is now resilient to drought with According to Fepuali, new water cistern By Semi Malaki the three wheels with trailers will help the islanders in clearing and transporting the rubbish to a far place from the village to pro- mote a healthy environ- ment, and will greatly assist the islanders in dispatching cargoes to be brought by the ves- sels for the people on the island. The boat will be used for getting fish for the Niulakita people. Secretary for Home Affairs and Ru- ral development Iete Prime Minister Enele S Sopoaga cut the ribbon to mark the christening of the new water reservoir for Avanitele said, trans- Nukulaelae community porting a tractor from ship to shore by boat THE island community of early November and com- velopment and when a could be a huge prob- Nukulaelae is now more pleted on 23rd of the same drought occurs, they will lem, but it might be resilient to drought follow- month just before Christ- ration the water to each easier for smaller ing the completion of its mas Day. household.” equipments such as water reservoir that could He said the new “On behalf of the three wheels. cater for the island in times development cost around Nukulaelae Falekaupule, I Government of drought. $190,000. would like to extend our also heard the need for The new water cis- “NAPA 1 provided sincere thanks and appre- a water cistern for Niu- tern was christened by Hon all the materials for this ciation to NAPA 1 man- lakita and will see if it Prime Minister Enele So- project including gravels agement team for this as- can be fitted in to exist- sene Sopoaga on Tuesday transported from . The sistance. I would like to ing water projects for April 28 during his recent Nukulaelae Kaupule met acknowledge NAPA 1 as- the islands of Tuvalu■ tour to the island. the labour cost of the pro- sistance in providing the This project was ject which amounted to gutters for our water catch- Fenui made possible with the as- $60,000 from Nukulaelae ment from the Avafoa 3 e-newsletter is trying sistance provided by the SDE,” Namoliki said. Falekaupule. to revive NAPA 1 project. “The new water The government of Nukulaelae Kau- cistern is about 25 metres Tuvalu is targeting 60 per- Letters to the pule Secretary Collin long, 15 metres wide and cent of water catchment Editor Namoliki said the work on 1.8 metres deep. It is also for each island of the Have your say in this the water cistern started in divided into 5 compart- group in order to be resil- September 2014 with the ments. The Nukulaelae ient to the impact of cli- column by writing preparation of the site but Falekaupule is responsible mate change especially about any issue of the actual work started in for looking after this de- drought■ concern.

7 REMEMBERING FORMOSA

May 04, 2015 Relations between mainland China and Taiwan take new turns rect flights from Taiwan to the meeting between the Taiwan’s mainland. In the past travelers had Minister of Foreign Affairs and Di- to go thru certain places such as rector will soon be held. Hong Kong and Macao which When he spoke of the strait, takes several hours. But now there Yuan switched to Mandarin while a are eight hundred direct flights fly- translator translated in English. ing between Taiwan and the According to the translator, in the mainland every week.” Taiwan Constitution, the definition Another example is the Touring of the strait is the Taiwan strait agreement signed in July 2008, which is the valley of water be- whereby many tourists from the tween Taiwan and mainland China. mainland can travel to Taiwan. “In the past , the strait had “Until now, there have been more been governed separately for over than 10 million tourists coming to the past years and there had been a Taiwan which have created 403.8 lot of complications and conflicts billion NT dollars for Taiwan. and the tension was always very Yvette D’Unienville in Howard Plaza Ho- In the future of tourists from high , however in the recent couple tel in Taipei, ROC has reached over 1.2 million of years, we have been able to through the security of Taiwan.” move towards a more peaceful STRAINED relations between Taiwan believes that this new turn stage between the strait and we are mainland China and Taiwan have in relationships between both sides working towards peace and pros- taken new turns over the years fol- can help create more space for de- perity across the strait and our fu- lowing peaceful negotiations and velopment for both sides. ture goals is of course to maintain several agreements that were “Due to improvement of the peace and stability across the strait signed. relationship between both sides, in as well.” According to the presenta- the international community how- “Well my hope is that we tion by Executive Yuan to the Press ever to maintain the status quo, the should share all these resources, of Tour last month, under the Consti- countries which gives us the visa course i understand that all the tution of the Republic of China on waiver or visa arrival treatment countries have different interests at Taiwan, the people of Taiwan in- have reached a hundred and forty stake this stage , but if we can put sist on the consensus in 1992, including the United States.” aside all of this differences and em- meaning ‘One China with different Relations were taken to an- phasize the poverty issue, we may areas.’ other level with the visit of Tai- be able to reach consensus in trying “With this consensus, both wan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs to share all the resources that need areas maintain the 3 No policy – No to his counterpart in China in Feb- to be taken out of this area and that unification, No independence and ruary last year and then the Direc- will be probably be the best solu- No use of force and they created a tor of Taiwan’s Affairs of tion for so many topics.” peaceful status quo on both sides mainland China also visited Tai- And if we put aside these and therefore since 2008 both sides wan to institutionalize the system of differences and work together it have resolved their quarrels in ne- communication. will be most beneficial for both our gotiations.” “That has greatly help both sides. To date, both areas have sides to solve many problems and Several agreements on signed a few agreements which are we hope to honor the conditions of trades and good services are still related to the lives of the people. the cross strait.” being negotiated. “For example, the opening of di- It was stated that another ...continue to page 10 8 REMEMBERING FORMOSA

May 04, 2015 Learning from the indigenous people of Tai- wan By Yvette D

Two years later, the Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) was established to look after the affairs of the island wide indigenous affairs. CIP consistently gives priority to the protection and preservation of Indigenous tradi- tional cultures, hence cultural parks and cultural centers have been built with funding assis- tance from the government of Taiwan for the Indigenous peo- ple to showcase their rich and diverse cultures through art, crafts, music, and traditional dance. These sites have become Women of the Sakizaya tribe performing a tribal dance popular tourist attractions nowa- days. A FEW hundred years ago, Portu- and genetic ties to other Austrone- In contrast with the state of affairs guese sailors exclaimed “Formosa” sia ethnic groups, which includes just a decade ago, it is now difficult as they laid eyes upon the beautiful those of the Philippines, Malaysia, to pass a day in Taiwan without en- island of Taiwan. However long Indonesia, Madagascar and Oce- countering elements of Aboriginal before that, Formosa had already ania. cultures. been home to people who were just In 1994, as a result of a re- “There are Aboriginal as beautiful as the island itself. vised presidential decree declaring theme parks, Aboriginal cultural They are the Indigenous people of the third constitutional amendment festivals advertised on the side of Taiwan. that the term ‘indigenous people’ Taipei buses, TV ads and radio The Indigenous people of first entered the constitution and songs featuring Aboriginal pop Taiwan are scattered all over Tai- officially replaced ‘mountain folks’ stars and TV news reports about wan and mostly the mountain areas, that had been used previously for Aboriginal cultural activities. Abo- hence they are called the ‘mountain more than forty years. riginal programs now appear on the folks’. The journalists learned, that Public Television Service, and the Over lunch, Legislator Wen in the past years the Indigenous street in front of the presidential Chi Kung told the group of journal- peoples were ashamed to use their building was renamed in honor of ists that to date, sixteen tribes of tribal names, however after their the Ketagalan people of the Taipei Indigenous Taiwanese have been recognition, the government of Tai- area--an acknowledgement of Abo- recognized by Taiwan’s govern- wan not only allow them to use riginal peoples. ment; however it is believed that their Indigenous names and pro- The Press Tour group en- there are yet more tribes to be dis- mote their language and culture, but joyed the performances from covered. also assist in the establishment of Youths of various tribes of the In- Taiwanese aborigines are schools, better roads and improve digenous people of Taiwan■ Austronesia people, with linguistic access to health facilities. 9 REMEMBERING FORMOSA

May 04, 2015 dedicated to the Taiwan Excellence Taiwan Excellence Pavilion, the place Awards-winning products, defined as innovations derived from re- where Taiwan develops and innovate search efforts, aesthetically de- advance products signed, of premium quality, and By Yvette D marketed worldwide. With a ground-floor en- trance facing the TAIPEI EXPO PARK, the pavilion had permanent exhibits on the second floor in three categories of IT & Telecom, Sports & Leisure, and Cultural & Creative products) as well as short- term themes with seasonally up- dated exhibition items. There were lots of quality products to be admired in the glass- paneled pavilion, but what catched the interest was the coat and bags that were made from recycled plas- tic water bottles considering that the unused plastic bottles in Tu- valu. THE Press tour groups were not the Group, Pearl Chen from the Pavil- According to the presenta- only people who visited the Taiwan ion said the Taiwan Excellence tion, the melted plastic bottles are Excellence Pavilion that day. symbol emphasized the superior mixed with a lot of other stuffs in a There were also elderly Tai- quality of Taiwanese products in scientific process in order to make wanese People and people from the global market and all award the material used for the coats and other countries when we arrived at winning products from the Taiwan bags. the Pavilion. Excellence Award Selection use The amazing thing was that, The Pavilion displayed the symbol to strengthen their mar- the coats and bags were very soft to quality products ranging from com- keting efforts. the touch, making it hard to think puterized products, fitness prod- The Taiwan Excellence Pa- that they were actually made out of ucts, to coats and bags. vilion was unveiled on Dec. 26, plastic bottles■ To the Press Touring 2010 as the country’s first building

...continue from page 8 which some are for the unification. We all accept that.” “Taiwan is a country so there are many The presentation stresses that different voices and different opinions living in the international world , eco- within as well, however the status quo nomic interaction between countries is that I just mentioned is one of the very important, therefore Taiwan also greatest common denominator within wants to join the international organi- Taiwan society.” zations and other comprehensive eco- “According to the polls that we nomic partnerships. have conducted , the great majority of “We hope we can have your the people here in Taiwan support the support and give Taiwan a chance to status quo to be maintained between contribute and help build a better to- us, however there are also voices in morrow.”■

10

May 04, 2015 Journalists introduced to the Mayasvi ritual Ali mountain Tfuya Tribe and wine in the ritual house and back to Kuba. The elder put everything from the main family together and divided to five to show the meaning of unity.

Secondary ceremony in unity. New born male babies are brought to kuba by their mother’s brother to let god see the new life of the tribe. 2 Praise for ware credit ( Toe) – All males read articles for praise for credit the elder encourage warriors. Adult rite ( Yaoysuka) – the Elder will instruct , en- courage and whipped adult male in Kuba, then wear Tfuya tribe performing the Mayasvi ritual Photo: Yvette D fur hat for them and give Journalists that day couldn’t wait to The process of the Maysvi ritual – a them small amount of see the Mayasvi ritual after hours of combination of different parts and wine. This represent that travelling to the mountainous area of stages. they need to take responsi- the Chyai County to visit the Tfuya bility from now on. tribe. 1. Greeting. 3.Farewell According to information All males in tribe who join the rit- - Males in Tribe move from given the journalists the Mayasvi is ual get together in the Kuba to plaza singing farewell song to one of the most sacred rituals in Cou ‘Kuba’ (men’s club) after ares. culture and is designated as ‘National dressing up. Tribe Chieftain - songs again while Important Folklore’ and cultural asset instructs and encourages all females from Wang family and since 2011. before leading males to bring Shi family, come into the The meaning of Mayasvi is the fire in Kuba to the center plaza with fire torch. This related to hunting head. The ritual is of the plaza. They then kill a shows the fire of Kuba and the held after hunting head to commemo- piglet and prune the fire of clan join into one and rate past wars, to appease the spirits of ‘yono’ ( tree from God) sing other females also join in. the dead who have been hunt head, and songs to greet ares - Sing farewell song to report the results to the gods. So it is ‘iafafeoi’and life god again to life god to send him also a collective religious activity of ‘posonhifi’ and then get into back to heaven before men the Cou culture. Kuba again. prepare for ‘ROAD. Only a The ritual is also to thank god few males will be left to lead ‘hamo’, ares ‘iafafeoi’ and life god 2. Unity. will be left to lead the ‘posonhifi’ for blessing the tribe. In Kuba, the elder send someone to females in singing. Through the songs of the rit- put flowers in the ritual house 4.Road ual, the history and culture of the tribe ( monospesia) of five main This process has been can- is passed down to the next generation. families, the earliest five main celled by the Tfuya people but the families who live Tfuya. The Tapangu tribe still holds it. Younger people get rice cake ...continue to page 13

11 STUDENTS PROFILE

May 04, 2015 Name: Nakibae Kitiseni Name: Soseolina Fatuvae Sio Study Program: Master in Pub- University: Tamkang University (TKU) 淡江大 lic Administration (major in 學 management) Major: International Business and Management End of Program: June 13, 2015 Fall Semester 2015(In September 2015): Start, PhD in Physical Education. Why study in Taiwan? Taiwan has more than 100 uni- versities to choose from, the qual- ity of teaching here is excellent. Taiwan is a wonderful place to study, very friendly, very safe, convenient and relatively inexpensive.

My name is Mataliki Enesi, and I am 23 years old. I came to Tai- wan in 2011under a Taiwan scholarship for five years study. One year of studying Mandarin Chinese and four years of study- ing Bachelor degree. I studied Chinese in Tamkang University in Taipei for one year and now I am currently studying Interna- tional Business Management with English as the language of teaching in both Tamkang Uni- versity in Danshui. What do I like about Taiwan and TKU My daily life in Taiwan is simple. My first im- My Experience about Taiwan pression was of excitement about the beauty of Taiwan is a very safe and peace- Taiwan. The environment blended with the cul- ful country, and has a very tures show the diversify the Asian culture is clas- Asian blended Chinese culture, sified. The only thing that depresses me at times which is much different from the Tuvaluan culture. Almost most is the weather , it tend to be very humid and hot in of the Taiwanese people are friendly and kind. the summer and very cold during the winter. Tam-

kang University (TKU) is a very special Univer- My daily life in Tamkang University Tamkang University is a well-organized school with a lot of ac- sity situated in Danshui, which is in the northern part of Taipei. In TKU classes are offered in Eng- tivities that students and staff can participate in. Life in Tamkang lish and in Chinese, although classes in English is University is easy and fun for both local and foreign students. something new in TKU, most classes are offered Personally, Tamkang University is a safe and good environment, in English which is really good for international the students and staff are helpful and are easy going. My daily life in Tamkang University is simple and seems to be same throughout students. Falling in love with TKU campus is something every student here will testify about! the school week. My normal schedule is attending classes accord- It's just totally beautiful. The outstanding thing ing to my semester timetable. I think many of the courses in my about TKU are the traditional classrooms and the department are very interesting and useful for us to learn. During gardens which sometimes brought peace and weekends I usually hang out with my friends just to relax after a long week of studying. calmness as I walk along the corridors or whwn I am reading beneath the shadows of the trees. I I have one more year left of my studies and I hope to succeed in love the design of the buildings and the green sur- my studies and at the same time learn more about the people, rounding, the trees and the many different flowers school and all that Taiwan has to offers. I am very grateful for the around the campus is what I call "home away opportunity given to me and i will make use of it t to the maxi- mum and give my best to graduate from Tamkang University. from home". Long live TKU.

12 TUVALU STUDENTS IN ROC

May 04, 2015 ...continue from page 11

5.Family Tribe chieftain leads males to the ritual house (monopesia) to receive bless- ings and power from god then take a rest if Gao family. Men return to Kuba after drink- ing wine with Gao family. After this ceremony everyone take two branches of thatch on the way to Kuba and aske their mother’s brother to do exor- cism ( epus) for them. 6.Song and dance In the evening, people of the tribe return to Ritual plaza and sing and dance. The first day should be whole night until the (From L-R: Roia, Pinau, Sina, Kia, Toeaso, Aotoa) next morning while the day time of second day is for resting or entertainment of guests at home. In the evening they return to the My name is Sina. T. Tane. I am currently studying in Ming Chuan rd plaza again to sing and dance until mid- University (Taoyuan City) and this is my 3 year in Taiwan. night. I chose to study in Taiwan for knowledge and for new ex- 7. Finishing the ritual. periences. Some people are eager to expose themselves to new After the song and dance the tribe challenges and seek new experiences, and I am one of those. I Chieftain lead males again in singing songs have gained a lot of experiences in a different culture. The further of greetings and farewell to gods. After they I am from home, the more independent I become and the more ex- extinguish the fire the Mayasvi ritual is periences I gain in real life challenges and situations. closed. Taiwan does not only have good schools but it is also a Journalists were told that one of the peaceful country with very friendly people. Taiwan is a safe coun- ritual’ s taboo is that those who are to par- try with a convenient living environment that offers a sense of se- ticipate are not allowed to touch garlic, on- ions and fish before the ritual because the curity. It is home to me , far away from my own homecountry. smell is offensive to the gods. Taiwan core subject areas are engineering & technology Participants of the press tour even and social sciences & management. As a student majoring in In- joined in the ritual dance while i was ab- formation Engineering Applied Computing I consider Taiwan as a sorbed in trying to make out some of the technologically advanced Country for its size. words that were very similar to words of Ming Chuan University (MCU) is the Top International most Pacific languages including Tuvalu as University in Taiwan and it is also the first American-accredited part of the Austronesian family of lan- University in Asia. I chose Ming Chuan University because it of- guages. fers courses that are 100% taught in English. MCU also provides To my ears the words of the song International and multicultural campus environment enabling one sounded like “O oe aa, O hana a oe” and I to meet, understand and make friends with people from different found myself singing with them and then made my own table from my own interpre- countries; share ideas and get to know about other countries in the tation from the similarity to our language■ world. I encourage those of you who are still deciding on where to Tfuya Tuvalu English study, to come to Taiwan. Taiwan is a peaceful country, very safe, Oe Koe You and has free Wi-Fi almost everywhere and it offers some of the hana Fano/ano/hano go best universities. Studying in Taiwan has become a lot easier as a student from Tuvalu because we now have the Embassy of Tuvalu here in Taipei City, Taiwan. Taiwan has so much more to offer and I am so thankful for this Pitu or bitu fitu seven opportunity to experience it firsthand. voiu valu eight

13 COMMUNITY NEWS

May 04, 2015 Family share joy after their baby girl was found By Kuata Taumaheke

FAMILY of the baby who was lost search of the missing baby girl. A lot of the people who wit- and found on the first night of the Enelisa Lutelu was found at nessed the incident at Motufoua Tolise Motufoua Athletic Champi- around two o’clock after midnight blamed it on the devil’s work. onship at Vaitupu, held a big feast by one of the Motufoua Teachers - Magalo said, their family last week. Elika Pepeuga and Violeti Saamu prayed for God’s help to return the The one year old toddler near a pig pen further away from youngest member of their family was sleeping with the grandmother the school compound. and she thanked God for his awe- in one of the staff’s house at Motu- The baby girl was without some love because their prayers foua Secondary school when the any injuries or dirt on neither her were answered and their grand- lights went off. feet nor any part of her body to daughter was found. An emotional Magalo show signs of crawling that far, ac- Enelisa was the first and Faaniu, grandmother of the little cording to a mother who witnessed only granddaughter of Magalo and girl told Tuvalu news that when the the incident. Faaniu Eliuta at this time. lights came on again after a short Till today, the incident re- The Parents of the child while, she was shocked to find her mained a mystery as most of the were on the capital at the time of granddaughter missing from her people on the island are still baffled the incident. side. about the incident because the baby A lot of people who heard The family alerted the couldn’t have ventured far on her about the incident share the fam- school and a search party of villag- own, and no one entered the house ily’s happiness and are thankful that ers, Motufoua students and teach- during that night to have carried off the lost baby girl is back with her ers, and island policemen, set out in the child. family■

Prime Minister in their visit to the is- planted on the island to sustain the Head of Nukulaelae land last week. people. presented the need of Aifou Tafia said that the island The island also requested for is very vulnerable to impacts of natural regular visits of a team of health offi- the island to cabinet disasters and the discussion with the cials to monitor outbreaks on the island ministers visiting ministers was to raise the is- and other health related matters. suess that need the assistance of the Honorable Prime Minister who By Semi Malaki government in efforts to recover from led the delegation told the community impacts of Tropical Cyclone Pam. that preparedness is very important and Most of the issues raised by communication is vital in time of the community were similar to that emergency and natural disasters. raised by other islands visited by the He told the community that the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers. government sees the major need to Nukulaelae island also seeked have coastal protection of islands ei- the government assistance in getting ther using seawalls or other methods. heavy machineries that could assist the Throughout the tour, Prime island in post cyclone work especially Minister reassured the islanders that in the cleaning up of big rocks from there are assistances that the govern- roads. ment could provide in a short span of Ulufenua Nukulaelae Mr Aifou Tafia Furthermore, the community time such as food provisions and relief also requested to have experts in the supplies, while other needs could be field of agriculture to carry out feasi- medium term goals or long term goals NUKULAELAE Island chief pre- bility studies on the island’s swamp that need to be addressed for the bet- sented the island’s needs to the touring taro pits which were affected by sea- terment of the people in Tuvalu■ team of cabinet ministers headed by water, and for more food crops to be

14 SPORTS NEWS

May 04, 2015 players and encourage them to take Tuvalu TVF is hosting up volleyball trainings so that they could represent Tuvalu in regional a Secondary volleyball tournaments.” weigh-lifters The tournament is scheduled School volley- for Tuesday and Wednesday next are all set week with both schools sending two ball tourna- teams each for both men and for the 2015 women’s division. TVF Organizing Committee ment this term met today and agreed to have a Pacific round-robin tournament after the break opening ceremony on Tuesday Games By Semi Malaki morning May 5th and the finals are By Famomoi Niukena scheduled for Wednesday afternoon THE Tuvalu Volleyball Federation at the volleyball premises in-front of TUVALU weight-lifters are all TVF is taking volleyball develop- the old hangar. set for the 2015 ment to another level, and this time Fetuvalu Secondary School in in July its targeting secondary schools in the teacher and Coach Fagaua Taula this year. country. says this is a great opportunity for Tuvalu Weightlifting The federation will be orga- students to showcase their volleyball Federation Coach Liai Liai nizing a two-day Secondary School talents and make use of their two- said the team had trained tire- Volleyball Tournament for Fetuvalu weeks break. lessly and had improved in the Secondary School and Motufoua She says that one day they last couple of months and are Secondary School. will become professional volleyball ready for game. TVF President Melei Melei players and represent Tuvalu at Pa- “From trainings and said the federation is trying to de- cific Games and other sporting attempt of Tuvaluan lifters velop volleyball in the country and events. during practicing time, we had of its objectives is to target young The TVF Secondary School seen an improvement in the talented volleyball players. Volleyball Tournament is proudly efforts of both men and women “At this tournament, the fed- sponsored by the National Bank of lifters. Their total attempt is eration will try to identify potential Tuvalu■ close to records of Pacific Games in both power and Contributors for this Issue weight lifting.” “We will host a compe- Yvette D’Unienville Radio Tuvalu News Editor (Fenui Chief Editor) tition on May 15 and 16 to test Semi Malaki Newspaper Publisher (Fenui Editor) the performance of each lifter,” Liai added. Reporters The selection of lifters Yvette D’Unienville, Semi Malaki to make up the team for the Diana Semi, Famomoi Niukena game will be Pua Pedro, Kuata Taumaheke held after the competition. In the meantime male For comments contact Fenui Team [email protected] lifters are camping at the TAS- NOC gym and the female lift- ers are also camping in one residence■ Our next Fenui edition will be out on Monday May 11, 2015.

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