Entering the Community

Entering the Community

2 days prior to your team entering the village, your Field Project Coordinator (FPC) will have been preparing the village for the team/project. They will meet your team in the village upon arrival. 

The FPCs will have:

• Conducted check-in meetings with the TNK, families and the youth group.
• Distributed the first half of the family allowances to each household hosting volunteers
• Organised the sevusevu for the teams arrival with the village. NB: As leadership unit you will need to liaise closely with the FPC surrounding timings and plan of events

Upon arrival (and first evening)

Each village arrival is unique and much of this is owed to how the village feels they would like to welcome the team

1. Remember Culture – As the bus approaches the village, remind the girls to put on their sulus and do a refresher of grog etiquette if necessary.
2. Exiting the Bus – After everyone has exited the bus, make your way immediately to the organised location for the sevusevu. NB: The kava used in this sevusevu is the one you purchased in Suva.
3. Sevusevu – Sevusevu is conducted by FPC or TNK, one leader may be asked to sit ‘above the bowl.’
4. Family List – After the ceremony is concluded, the FPC will read out the names of the volunteers who are paired for the households and match them house by house with the host family who has been matched with them. NB: Encourage volunteers to give their host parents a big hug straight away, it sets the tone for the rest of their relationship on project
5. Into the homes / Leader Visits – Once the volunteers have met their family at the Sevusevu, they will head back to the family house and settle in. During this time, the FPC and all leaders will visit each household to introduce the leadership team and make sure everyone is settled. Make sure to mention:
   1. Who each leader is
   2. Where the ‘leaders house’ is in the village should anyone (family/team) want to access the leaders
   3. A brief and light discussion with volunteers and family
   4. Answering any questions

 NB: This visit is important to establish your presence as leaders within the community and to make the transition into the families even smoother.

6. Grog Session – A common evening activity (village permitting) after dinner is a village grog night and hop hop. This is a great icebreaker and a fantastic welcome into the village.

NB: It is crucial during this period that the leadership unit meet with the x5 key youth and share general introductions to foster the working relationship; they are crucial components to project delivery and key communication avenues for you in the village. It is also important to meet with TNK during this period.