Father's Day with Staff Activities

Expect a few pictures as this has been a week of events:

Monday morning started with a 6:30 a.m. meeting for TVET (Vocational Ed.).  They are planning a career day in September with fun hands-on booths.

Tuesday we taught our Foundations in Education class.  Wednesday Ron assisted on the track and upon seeing the lack of drive in some of the runners, he took all of them and crowded them into our office to show the the inspiring YouTube video “The Crawl”  or something along that line, if you remember.  He told them that they are selling themselves short and need to give every ounce of their ability to help themselves and to help the team.  Okay, after practice was our HR/Law class.  By this point, staff are getting worn out with practice and classes going on all week along with their family responsibilities.  But there was more…

Thursday was a special presentation for high school students by the Ministry of Agriculture to encourage students to consider a career as a vetrinarian or vet-tech.  There is one vet in Savaii and she strongly pushed for them to obtain their degree and come back to Samoa.  They discussed in length the education required, job responsiblities, and pay scale to expect.

Following that presentation, the female staff prepared a wonderful Father’s Day activity and luncheon for the male members of staff that preempted school in the afternoon.  The first activity was a Battle of the Minds game.  The second activity was a relay that consisted of folding a batch of clothes; ironing a shirt; braiding a girl’s hair; and then painting wives’ fingernails, toenails, putting on her lipstick.  It was a hoot!  They definitely know how to have fun.

Every single man was meticulous in folding their batch of clothes,
even turning them right side out!

Ron in the middle braiding hair!

Painting Nails

Putting on Lipstick

Room decorated for the luncheon

Ron with Principal Lolo

Ron with President Fafei, School counselor & Counselor in our Samoa Mission Presidency

The lunch provided taro, chicken, fish, pork, potato salad, green salad, pasta salad, cupcakes and ice cream.  They decorated the tables, chairs, and walls.  Laminated placemats pictured the “dads” with their spouse or family.  Each man received a small token present with the same laminated picture attached.  Ron’s present was a new blue necktie, hair gel, and body spray.  I had bought Hershey chocolate bars and wrapped them with a quote about Fatherhood.  Fun was had by all.  Needless to say, we canceled that afternoon’s ITEP class.

Friday was a big track meet involving 12 schools from around Savai’i.  I sat comfortably under the canopy in my camp chair but Ron stood out on the field in the sun for the most part.  It was great watching the running events (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 4X100m, 4X400m), the javelin throw, discus, shotput, high jump, triple jump, and long jump events.  It made for a long day but in the end Vaiola took Overall!!! Many of our athletes will move onto nationals, including seven that Ron coached in the 800 & 1500 meters.

 

Coach Salanoa was on top of his game.

Two of the teacher coaches with Overall
trophy and Team trophy.

Vaiola Track & Field Team

Saturday morning was the Ward (church) Father’s Day BBQ at the fales on the sandy beach.  Swimming in the ocean is always a treat and the kids were in heaven playing in the water and the sand.  Yes, they build sand castles and bury each other in sand.  The BBQ was plentiful and so delicious.  They barbecue and then bury the wrapped meat in in the coals to tenderize it.  They use the brown coconut husks like we use charcoal.  We were worn out after that full week.

We enjoyed church today at 8:00 a.m. so you see, we are looking forward to no school tomorrow (Monday) for the three-day holiday.  By now most of the dorm students have gone home with other students back to their villages.  Only two Solomon Island girls were left on campus (Louisa and Nicola) and they came to our house Friday evening bored.  We played UNO and chatted.  They are great girls; seniors who graduate end of November.

Good Luck to all of you returning back to school,
teachers and students!