The day starts early with Samantha’s alarm at 5:20 a.m. She is getting organized for paddling then showers at a friends in Avarua before heading to school. I get up, put a load of washing on and greet my dogs Kiva and Mai --- oh to greet each day with the enthusiasm of a dog! James pops the espresso on while I hang wet clothes on the ‘inside line’ as overnight there has been several downpours which is great as we currently have a water crisis on the Island. I go through my aerobics class, go through the e-mails, editing our new tourist brochure for the brewery and send it back to NZ for the next version. Jay and I have a quick bite before Tai picks me up ready for our morning meeting.
Listening to the journal readings I am moved by people’s comments about their new Cook Island experiences. It is humbling to realize these 9 wonderful women have given their time, energy and dollars along with their passion to support others, to come here. It is also a great way to be reminded of how beautiful this place is that I call home --- as at times one gets so busy you forget to look up and out rather than just down at what you are involved in.
Taking photos of Judy as she takes the bus, of Teresa, Elaine, Denise and Linda as they cycle off, of Susan at the library with Jean, of Robin and Connie at the Are Pa Metua Centre is all good fun. We also take photos of ‘rush hour’ in Avarua (no cars traveling, only parked on the side of the road) and of the vakas being carved.
Having dropped everyone at work, Tai and I do the shopping, always thinking “what would they like?” or “what might they like to try?” as we choose. Taiana explains all sorts of Global Volunteers protocols as we go. We look at the Team Leader Reports, which are sent to Minnesota at the end of each team and the pre-team, during-team and post-team budget excel sheets. Tai showing me how I should fill things out. We discuss the evenings BBQ and then, as I have an appointment we finish G.V. work. I get organized to take my aerobics class but in-between have a meeting to discuss and bring together a policy for a school on appointing new personnel, and also to give advice on appropriate questioning for a situation where someone has made an accusation of sexual abuse.
I take my class at the gym where there are heaps of people enthusiastically waiting to be put through their paces. With so much rain in the air – it is hot!! Quick shower and to the supermarket for my own groceries (after waiting 10 minutes for the rain to stop). My own shopping is decidedly different to that of G.V. shopping. No sliced deli meat, no NZ apples, no juice and definitely no ice cream! They are all definitely treats for us, not everyday foods.
James comes by in the delivery vehicle so it is great not to have to take all the food home on my bike. On the way home I pass Elaine, Denise and Linda all cycling along – yes, on the left!! My mind is constantly filtering through the G.V. job and what it entails, and how I might put my own touches to it. Taiana is such a great model and I think her relaxed, efficient and confident manner is perfect.
Once home it is to be greeted by a teacher who needs some ideas on how to handle a certain child in his class. After a cup of tea and a chat he leaves with a couple of strategies to try. I clear the next lot of e-mails, wash some windows and finally have lunch – it is now 3:45!! Samantha joins me and we sit down and eat our toast together. She is off at 4:15 for paddling, I wash some more windows, chat to Tai about alternative arrangements for the BBQ due to the weather and then head into town for a safety committee Vaka Eiva meeting. Now we are all set – let the races begin. You can feel the excitement in the air and seeing lots of paddlers in town is awesome.
On the way back home I get soaked to the skin – right down to my bra and knickers. That’s when it really isn’t fun on a motorbike! I am freezing by the time I get home and am so grateful we have some hot water.
It’s straight back out the door to the Allans. Taiana, June and Andrew are the most incredible hosts. We are all made to feel that nothing is too much trouble. Salads have been whipped up, kuru chips are delicious and BBQ’d broadbill hits the spot for everyone. The fresh fruit salad with soursop, mango, passion fruit, pawpaw and banana is the perfect way to end the meal.
Now it’s show time with June who shares loads of stories, some true, some not. Loads of knowledge, loads of laughs, loads of musical talent and loads of energy. We learn about coconuts, their various stages, we taste them all. We learn about making coconut cream, we learn about maniota --- and it goes on. The Allan family are all incredible and I am absolutely positive that everyone has enjoyed their evening although we did miss you Lilia.
Tai drops me home and I finally get the windows finished, put out another load of washing and another load on before getting started on the journal. Finally, I can sit down and catch up with my family and have a look at the paddle James is doing for the exhibition. Tomorrow the kids graduate from their school so it will be another busy day, however they are both asleep by now.
Thursday, November 15, 2007 – Debbie Sutter-Puati

The day starts early with Samantha’s alarm at 5:20 a.m. She is getting organized for paddling then showers at a friends in Avarua before heading to school. I get up, put a load of washing on and greet my dogs Kiva and Mai --- oh to greet each day with the enthusiasm of a dog! James pops the espresso on while I hang wet clothes on the ‘inside line’ as overnight there has been several downpours which is great as we currently have a water crisis on the Island. I go through my aerobics class, go through the e-mails, editing our new tourist brochure for the brewery and send it back to NZ for the next version. Jay and I have a quick bite before Tai picks me up ready for our morning meeting.
Listening to the journal readings I am moved by people’s comments about their new Cook Island experiences. It is humbling to realize these 9 wonderful women have given their time, energy and dollars along with their passion to support others, to come here. It is also a great way to be reminded of how beautiful this place is that I call home --- as at times one gets so busy you forget to look up and out rather than just down at what you are involved in.
Taking photos of Judy as she takes the bus, of Teresa, Elaine, Denise and Linda as they cycle off, of Susan at the library with Jean, of Robin and Connie at the Are Pa Metua Centre is all good fun. We also take photos of ‘rush hour’ in Avarua (no cars traveling, only parked on the side of the road) and of the vakas being carved.
Having dropped everyone at work, Tai and I do the shopping, always thinking “what would they like?” or “what might they like to try?” as we choose. Taiana explains all sorts of Global Volunteers protocols as we go. We look at the Team Leader Reports, which are sent to Minnesota at the end of each team and the pre-team, during-team and post-team budget excel sheets. Tai showing me how I should fill things out. We discuss the evenings BBQ and then, as I have an appointment we finish G.V. work. I get organized to take my aerobics class but in-between have a meeting to discuss and bring together a policy for a school on appointing new personnel, and also to give advice on appropriate questioning for a situation where someone has made an accusation of sexual abuse.
I take my class at the gym where there are heaps of people enthusiastically waiting to be put through their paces. With so much rain in the air – it is hot!! Quick shower and to the supermarket for my own groceries (after waiting 10 minutes for the rain to stop). My own shopping is decidedly different to that of G.V. shopping. No sliced deli meat, no NZ apples, no juice and definitely no ice cream! They are all definitely treats for us, not everyday foods.
James comes by in the delivery vehicle so it is great not to have to take all the food home on my bike. On the way home I pass Elaine, Denise and Linda all cycling along – yes, on the left!! My mind is constantly filtering through the G.V. job and what it entails, and how I might put my own touches to it. Taiana is such a great model and I think her relaxed, efficient and confident manner is perfect.
Once home it is to be greeted by a teacher who needs some ideas on how to handle a certain child in his class. After a cup of tea and a chat he leaves with a couple of strategies to try. I clear the next lot of e-mails, wash some windows and finally have lunch – it is now 3:45!! Samantha joins me and we sit down and eat our toast together. She is off at 4:15 for paddling, I wash some more windows, chat to Tai about alternative arrangements for the BBQ due to the weather and then head into town for a safety committee Vaka Eiva meeting. Now we are all set – let the races begin. You can feel the excitement in the air and seeing lots of paddlers in town is awesome.
On the way back home I get soaked to the skin – right down to my bra and knickers. That’s when it really isn’t fun on a motorbike! I am freezing by the time I get home and am so grateful we have some hot water.
It’s straight back out the door to the Allans. Taiana, June and Andrew are the most incredible hosts. We are all made to feel that nothing is too much trouble. Salads have been whipped up, kuru chips are delicious and BBQ’d broadbill hits the spot for everyone. The fresh fruit salad with soursop, mango, passion fruit, pawpaw and banana is the perfect way to end the meal.
Now it’s show time with June who shares loads of stories, some true, some not. Loads of knowledge, loads of laughs, loads of musical talent and loads of energy. We learn about coconuts, their various stages, we taste them all. We learn about making coconut cream, we learn about maniota --- and it goes on. The Allan family are all incredible and I am absolutely positive that everyone has enjoyed their evening although we did miss you Lilia.
Tai drops me home and I finally get the windows finished, put out another load of washing and another load on before getting started on the journal. Finally, I can sit down and catch up with my family and have a look at the paddle James is doing for the exhibition. Tomorrow the kids graduate from their school so it will be another busy day, however they are both asleep by now.

Debbie


Thought for the Day:

Food for Life
We heard a tale of the eel and the coconut. The eel told the girl that it is OK if her family eats him but bury his head and you will have food forever. The next day when the girl woke up there was a huge coconut tree. The message is that the eel/coconut tree gives us food for life. What we, the Global Volunteers are doing here is contributing “food for life”. We help kids read which will feed their lives richly. We help in the community, providing service, support (food) for the life here. We feed ourselves by being here, ultimately feeding our lives as well.
Thought for the Day:

Food for Life
We heard a tale of the eel and the coconut. The eel told the girl that it is OK if her family eats him but bury his head and you will have food forever. The next day when the girl woke up there was a huge coconut tree. The message is that the eel/coconut tree gives us food for life. What we, the Global Volunteers are doing here is contributing “food for life”. We help kids read which will feed their lives richly. We help in the community, providing service, support (food) for the life here. We feed ourselves by being here, ultimately feeding our lives as well.