Paradise –missing in action.

Picture postcard beauty that advertises any country is pretty much always biased.

It is no different here. The clean golden sandy beaches are either made from removing mangroves and bringing in sand or outside a resort that is manicured daily.

In reality when we walk a beach it is littered with rubbish – plastic forms of everything; bottles, plates, toys, bags, the list is sadly endless. Rob said in the midst of post Winston clean up, the rivers were the first port of call to toss unwanted or damaged items.

Tomorrow is not something that is readily considered, it is enough to plan for today. A good concept at times but not when it comes to the environment or the future of your children.

Land is constantly being cleared by fire and what was meant to be a little fire to clean up a little patch fast becomes a large fire that destroys. The soil is then eroding into the rivers and they run red in the rain as the soil is washed into the ocean.

The Chinese have what seems like an open invitation to the fishing grounds and sadly they are not holding back. To help in the recovery of Winston, the govt has issued families with swipe cards to varying values that can only be used in hardware stores, some are being put to great use, others are being converted to quick cash and parties planned.

This is a land that has had decades of aid and millions poured into people and projects. Rob himself is on the coal face trying to motivate/organise people to take responsibility for their land and plan for tomorrow. It is not a walk in the park and he is challenged daily to rethink ways to encourage the people he is working with that a hand up is a far better option in the long run than a hand out.

As the driving force behind an aid organisation (even though a baby) I am challenged more than ever to ensure we ‘get it right’ in where our aid goes.

We are sitting tight at present with feelers out, working with local trust worthy people who are looking out for families over looked or widows struggling. We want our dollar as small as it is to have the most effective impact in a place of genuine need. Sometimes one must go looking well off the beaten track to find such deserving folks who can go unnoticed.

On a brighter note I recently did the rounds with a good friend who searches out, then organises life changing surgery for children who are born with a cleft lip and or palate. What a lovely humble man who himself is Fijian and has dedicated the past 5-6 years at great personal sacrifice to fulfil this role.

I watched him sit down on the floor with mums, re-assuring them that their child was normal and no they hadn’t done anything wrong in their pregnancy. They would hang on his every word, some with tears and always gratitude as he instructed and encouraged them. He always carried a large hard cover book that he diligently wrote in, describing the visit and the trouble the families might be having. On he would go to the next house, a long bus ride here, a taxi ride there, a walk along the street asking directions to a house. As these visits were in the city the families often lived in poverty, many to a small dwelling but always despite the lack of money and the (at times ugly) deformity, the babies were adored.

Back in NZ or if he was working for a local large NGO my friend would have a flash title, the latest gadgets, a car and an expense account. However here he has a huge heart, a phone to take photos of the patients, a hard covered notebook to make life changing notes, and the patience of a saint as he

spends hours on local buses and his nights ringing contacts or cousin brothers of contacts to try and arrange a meeting to help a child. Cell phones are the only way of contact but they never last so a number he has one visit might not get through the next. He doesn’t stay in hotels nor does he ever fly anyway. Cheap and cheerful is the only way he can afford to go.

I would love to see him in a small Suzuki 4wd that gets him efficiently to his city visits but also into the back country. Something small and light and not big enough that he would feel he had to also be a taxi. If anyone has any ideas on how this could be achieved or wants to take up the challenge please feel free to contact me – lisa@lhr.co.nz

This beautiful little girl has recently had her lip repaired.

In all we are doing we are happy to be here. One must have a sense of humour because everyday something happens that you must laugh at or time here would go from one frustrating event to the next. Time is of no value so trying to rush someone or something never gets you anywhere. The only ones rushing down the street are white and they must be new to town!