Kia Orana koutou katoatoa from the beautiful Cook Islands.

This year's program started with a full team of 16 eager volunteers ready to head off into their service program on the first day of school. In the Cook Islands, sometimes schools take a little longer than schools in other countries to get started so we had a few energetic volunteers having to suppress some of their enthusiasm for the first week of school.

Some of that energy was transferred into repainting the Cook Islands Library and Museum’s office. What a job! The office had not been painted since 1968 so – you can imagine! What with the heat, humidity and the ‘wild life’ of the tropics there were a few interesting cultural experiences had by the fabulous five who took on the challenge. Jean Mason the curator of the library says she is so thrilled with the end result; it is now a pleasant place to work.

We have also undertaken an exciting venture– the Virtues Project. The Virtues Project is a school based program in partnership with Takitumu School and has as its goal the promotion of peace throughout the world. How appropriate a partner for Global Volunteers! Takitumu School is also one of the schools where we have supported a literacy program for many years. It is also assisted by Global Volunteers’ Classroom Sponsorship Program. 

In the Virtues Project, the school decided on three ‘virtues’ (excellence, unity and humility) that they would like to focus on. A large mural was designed by a volunteer from Vaka 96 to depict these ideas. Painting was all go with four volunteer helpers, and within a week or two the mural was ready for an unveiling. A special ceremony was held at the school with the media turning up for the occasion. If you look closely you will see a “96” on the vaka (canoe) just to ensure that everyone knows which team of Global Volunteers supported this project!

Of course, literacy remains the focus of the Cook Islands program. Volunteers have continued to support a number of primary and secondary schools with their reading programmes. One school is hoping that we will be able to expand into some numeracy (mathematics) support in the future, once they have designed exactly what support they need.

An upcoming project is assistance with the upgrading of our hospital. There is so much work to be done up there. The first stage is to make the children’s ward a place to get better! Plans include a new roof, walls to be ripped out, painting, wiring and plumbing repairs, an office for the charge nurses and installation of ceiling fans. Is anyone willing to come and help? The ANZ bank staff has fundraised to get this started – we just need some ready, willing and able volunteers and we are full steam ahead.

Of course teams have had loads of fun together in their free time. Mama Here taught some volunteers to make beautiful ei’s. And of course we’ve learned all sorts of things about coconuts! It is amazing just what you can do with a coconut. We have learned to dance (well sort of anyway!), speak a few words of Maori and of course snorkeled, smelled beautiful flowers, and met beautiful people.

Thank you (Meitaki maata), to each and every person who has come, or intends to come, to the Cook Islands for their adventure in service. You are needed, and we have plenty of work for you to do if you decide to come again. I look forward to it. For those of you who are unable to return, you may also help out through the child sponsorship program. 

Kia manuia
Debi Futter-Puati