Changing the Culture of Violence in Fiji

REPORT JUNE 2020

Since our last report, the world has changed. By the time covid 19 entered Fiji via people returning to the country from overseas the government was able to react quickly with the first response to lock down the city of Lautoka where the first case appeared. The population did not fully understand why these apparently harsh conditions were being imposed on them and the medical staff and police had to travel around the communities to explain what was going on. The youth who were trained in the Virtues Project were able to travel with these teams and assist with using the language of the virtues in the meaning of obedience, patience, acceptance and so on. The other members of the teams were very impressed with the way  this language helped them get their message across and asked a lot of questions about the project. 

Some of the youth had employment and this ceased with the economic crisis that followed the health crisis and they wanted to do more with the Virtues training and more of the youth wanted to learn these skills. 

In April there were 20 youth who did the virtues introductory program for five days.  Despite the curfew and the social distancing, they were able to get through the 5 days introductory 

They discussed the topic that was given by Linda Kavelin Popov to Be SOCIAL - Build community to come together virtually to share meaningful conversations. 

They also discussed things that can be done during this Covid-19 lockdown and there were quite interesting ideas coming from the youth on how we can move forward.

Twelve of these youth were employed at the various companies but were laid off during this crisis. The other eight youth are universities students. 

The first day for the two hours they learned about the 5 strategies and discussed how important it is to use these tools during this period where people are confused, frustrated, depressed and lonely. 

The rest of the four days the group discussed things that can keep them going forward. 

There shared about the Social media page on Barter for Better Fiji where they can offer their services in cleaning compounds, maintenance work and baking in exchange to groceries.  And few of the youths have tried this barter system and they find it exciting. 

Other activities included learning how to keep the children interested in their school work. Instead of spending time on social media they have offered their services in helping the children with their tasks and in doing so have found it more and more interesting to give service.  

Another idea that was also discussed was how they can help out in doing backyard gardens.  They come up with ideas that each one will buy a packet of different seed.  They will consult about which one in the group has the biggest backyard and they will plant all the seeds and transplant it to their individual household.  They will help each other as a group to set up their home gardens. 

They have noted while doing those things it will keep them busy and not bored during this lockdown. 

The youth agreed that they would share these ideas with other individuals, communities, friends and families around Fiji because this is the only thing that will keep us going if we all work collectively which is social cohesion in practice. 

From this a work plan was discussed so that each of the 20 youth participants would engage with 20 households each month. Virtues Project Fiji will provide a travel allowance to enable the youth to get the buses and carriers needed to get to the locations where they are carrying out their service. They will meet fortnightly with the master facilitator to share their experiences, lessons learned and develop their skills. A focus on the use of the Virtues Pick was discussed as well as what it means to be social and build communities virtually and have meaningful conversations. 

These youth have formed an excellent team and they participated in the in the Drug Free campaign at the beginning of June at Lautoka which is a volunteering program. 

In addition, work continues with meetings and training families to address the issues around the family stress with the lockdown and helping children to deal with the bullying and abuse. As has occurred elsewhere there has been an increase in family violence as people face economic hardship and isolation. 

The master facilitator, Talei, spent three days visiting Benau settlement in the outskirts of Ba township dealing with ten single women who are trying their best to put food on their table.  These women are destitute. Talei was able to correspond with the Lautoka District Council of Social Service to help them with food rations and she also liaised with certain organisations to support them in their need.  Even though they also receive money from social welfare it is not meeting their needs. 

Talei contacted the agriculture department to supply them with seedling for their home garden project and the department will be delivering it today 5th June..

THE PUPPETS

The youth who went to the Yasawa Islands in the middle of 2019 to present the virtues and how to deal with issues such as bullying and abuse with puppets finally returned to the main island just before Christmas.

They reported that they noticed that when they used puppets, they created opportunities for the children to talk. The use of puppets allowed the children to ask questions and express their thoughts. The children really loved the use of puppets because it develop their communicative skills, especially when they felt relaxed as they talked with the puppet.

The challenges faced by the puppeteers was that they felt they needed to spend more time with children who asked a lot of thought provoking questions. The puppeteers had to set clear boundaries for themselves. They felt it was best to have parents around when they were conducting a puppet show.

When two kids fought with each other the youth used the puppet to address their problem.

Most of the stories they presented were based on bible stories with a moral as these children attend Church with their parents and understand this context.

Apart from the puppet show with children the youth had evening talanoa (talk) sessions with parents to discuss the importance of raising a child and what are their responsibility as a parent.

Parents were also told how their children shared their storieswith the puppets about what was going on in their lives and what the children wished for in their future,

PARENTING

Requests for the facilitators to attend meetings in communities to teach them parenting skills are constantly coming in to the Virtues Project office. This report is about some of these meetings.

Naibalebale & Najia Villages:

There were 120 people participated on the two villages. There were 35 men, 30 women, 25 youth and 30 children.

Soso Village:

There were fifty people involve in the puppeteers program

There were 17 men, 14 women, 9 youth and 10 children

Yaqeta Village:

There 25 people involve 6 Men, 8 women, 4 youth & 7 children

Eroni & Tukai did a puppet show program for children which highlight the 5 strategy of the Virtues Project. One strategy was presented per show each day and after each show there were discussions about what they saw. It was seen that the children understand the issues better using the puppet.

The only challenges they faced in the community is when at times there is an unforeseen circumstance either death or village special meeting they have to wait for few more days to be able to finish the strategy. The youth were only conducting training to only interested Tokatoka or Mataqali members as per their leader’s request.

Vaivai Community, Lautoka

There were only 20 children involve. The puppet program was conducted on a weekend which the youth were able to cover the 5 strategies.

Delai Tomuka Community, Lautoka

There were 60 people involve 5 men, 10 women, 20 youth and 25 Children

The puppeteers were kindly request by their church members to conduct a Virtues parenting. They use the puppet for their presentation to youth and children and they explain to adults the 5 strategy of the Virtues Program. The youth conduct evening visitation for the 5 consecutive days.

Naikavaga, Bua

Akesa and Selema are the two women who live in Lautoka but was asked by their family members back in the village to conduct a women outreach program so they approach me if I could allow them to take some virtues material and share about the 5 strategy and also the role and responsibility of being a responsible parent.

There were 30 women attended the presentation from various settlement near their village.

Nasinu village

I was asked by the member of a tokatoka to conduct Virtues parenting consultation for 3 days. It was held at the Levuka. There were 25 people attended 10 men and 15 women. I explain to them about the 5 strategy and how it works in my family life. I’ve encouraged parents to be more vigilant with their children. Parents were reminded to be aware of the social issues affecting Fiji and it’s the responsible of the parents to equip them with these Virtues tool to be able to deal with circumstances when need arise. Youth were told on how to be responsible and to tackle peer pressure and changes happening around them. They have to embrace the Virtues in their lives to be able to see what their purpose in life is.

Virtues Project Fiji facilitators need to return to these communities to assess the impact of their having learned of the five strategies and how they are being applied in their lives.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Human Rights issues are clearly addressed with the use of the Virtues Project and its focus on understanding and using the virtues strategies. Other agencies dealing with Human Rights in Fiji are becoming aware of how The Virtues Project works to give people an understanding and practical approach to address human rights issues. Virtues Project Fiji facilitators have been asked to attend meetings with interested organisations to learn what can be done. This is ongoing.