Reflections by Morwenna Stanford - St Barbara’s Parish School, Roxby Downs
Cristina Torres – Samaritan College, Whyalla
Erin McIntee – Samaritan College, Whyalla
After a pleasant three-hour flight from Nadi, Fiji, we arrived at the Bonriki International Airport on Tarawa, Kiribati. Our plane was met by waving and cheering children, despite the heat and humidity. We crossed the steaming tarmac and entered the sweltering hot and crowded Arrivals area, then attempted to understand the ordered chaos of the luggage collection through a hole in the wall. After an hour, with all our luggage in tow, we were greeted with warm smiles and an aromatic flowered garland from the Good Samaritan Sisters.
The journey to our first night’s accommodation at Mary’s Motel, in Bairiki, took an hour by minibus. It provided insight to life in this part of Kiribati; of simple, crowded dwellings and shockingly narrow land mass. We observed mostly traditional housing, with very few western style buildings on this island with phenomenally high population density.
After checking into our accommodation, some of our group chose to explore the local area by foot whilst others chose to relax in air-conditioned comfort and wash away the dust and sweat. That evening, we were treated to an energetic and inspiring cultural display from the Kiribati Youth Dancers group. Their performance was done without instruments: instead using their harmonious voices, their own bodies for percussion and great sense of passion and power to create a truly moving experience. We were again crowned with beautifully woven garlands. Our hosts were truly welcoming and generous with their time, talents and words.
Following an incredible feast and time of fellowship, we were introduced to the Australian High Commissioner Bruce Cowled and his wife Evelyn. Mr Cowled described, in great detail, the contribution and collaboration between the Kiribati and Australian Governments on a range of projects surrounding education, health and infrastructure. Among these, the future of Kiribati pertaining to projects around coastal protection, water management and sanitation, and the improvement of economic prospects through investment in education and training stood out as critical.
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
