Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Dec 5

Salani - Sinelei - Coconuts - These are resorts that have had a range of damage from total devastation (think, wiping a plate clean) to partial damage. Day is spent interviewing the owners and managers. Some of these places are right next to each other - one would be wiped clean - the other only has partial damage...some of this has to do with a difference in height from the ocean, but that difference is not so great - maybe only 10-15ft.


Back from a long day out - there's a message - I'm invited to dinner with the SUNGO executive council. We have a 10 course chinese meal. Two big round tables are pulled together. Being the youngest, I feel very privileged to attend this event. They acknowledge me at the end of the meal. I this moment I am very present to how grateful I am to have been introduced to this community. They are my access to fulfilling my initial wish to come to Samoa to make a difference. I try to meet everyone through the evening. These people are humanitarian leaders. Advocacy for human rights, women's rights, animal services, and a lot more are represented through SUNGO. Their purpose is to make sure that the voice of the people is heard. They have fought a long battle to gain credibility with the govt and the people. It seems that things are now turning in their favour - they understand that they can't win them all - but as long as the voice of the people is heard, then they consider the process to have been successful.

No comments:

Post a Comment