Fire and Coconuts

The offer of a fire pit on the beach was a welcome gift! Such a regular pass time at home in Longniddry (if you have been to our house you have most probably enjoyed a fire pit with us)

I like to set up a fire to cook on and enjoy with the family and friends.

It was the children that suggested it. Barefoot, dressed minimally with their smiles permanent. We had been on the Island a day and never without an entourage of children so pleased to be with us ranging from 2 years old to 16.

After dinner we would head to the beach to enjoy the fire. We thought nothing more about it as our day had just begun.

A tour of the village, with entourage in tow. Mulevu has 120 residents. 80 of which are children. They roam, scavenge and play. While parents are on distant islands working contracts on chicken farms and in kitchens to send money back to the island.

Grandparents, aunts, uncles and some parents that remain care for the children. But truth be told the children care for themselves and each other.

As our tour continues, it doesn’t take long to walk through the village, coconuts are suggested to cool down. We gladly accept as the fresh juice from a coconut on a remote Island in Fiji 2 hours from the main land with no running water, basic services or Wifi sounds idilic and refreshing. Sensing no cafes or shops near by we feel our jaws dropping as Apo a young 6 year old boy begins to scale a palm tree which resembles the straitness and height of a lampost. Bare foot he climbs with arms wrapped around the tree trunk. He rests half way then reaches the top. 5 coconuts drop down in front of us and Apo descends as if in a kids play ground or a fireman riding the poll. His bare legs and arms sliding down the rough tree bark with ease and composure.

As we watched Apo and his feat of strength and ability we had missed the other children appearing with machetes. They attacked the coconut’s with precision and care creating holes for us to drink out of. One child even darted off and returned with a beautiful flower to decorate one coconut for Abby.

The day continued dinner was served having being caught that day, to the beach we walked to our promised beach fire.

What developed will never be forgotten. No adults in site, no thought given to the location of the fire. All that mattered was a large supply of dried out palm tree leaves and a flame borrowed from a family shack who were currently cooking.

Picture the scene in Castaway when Tom Hanks finally makes fire! Now imagine 20 children all in charge of a fire at the same time. Their feet centimetres away from the heat when they throw on more wood , branches and anything else they can find to burn. Some lite huge branches and run down the beach as if trying to attract a passing ship. Dam near chaos erupts as the children laugh, play and generate an experience that back home would be shut down in an instant!

As one child jumps the burning flames another is ascending a bent over palm tree with a branch on fire and waving it like a flag.

These children roam free and govern themselves. The 2 year old looks up to the 5 year old while the 12 year old takes instruction from the 16 year old that could lead an army into battle.

Granted there are no imminent threats of abduction or harassment on this island. Things that as parents we worry about at home. Our kids must message when they arrive safely or another parent will call to say they have arrived.

I have never run to my kids when they fall. If it’s bad I’ll get there but I encourage them to not look for sympathy and recover themselves. I always tell them to stay away from the fire and put that knife down. I’ll cut the orange for you and “wait for me before you start” with my mindset thinking they might get hurt.

What we have witnessed has rocked my world. Keeping our children in cotton wool is in turn weakening them to the point of fear.

I only realise on reflection of our time on Naviti Island that when we left and I said goodbye to you LeaLea a 7 year old boy. I gave him the respect of a fully grown man. His ability, know how and skill to provide for himself, care for others and visitors alike was well beyond his years.

How Abby and I parent the kids needs to change as they grow and develop in an ever changing world that wants them to conform and get inline.

It pains me to say that if a Fijian child came to Scotland we would ruin them. Their individuality, ideas, expressions and creativity would be labelled as disruptive and not in line with schooling and culture.

The Fijian kids get the boat to school everyday or walk when the waters are too rough. They are educated in English and Fijian. No PlayStations, Kindles or Netflix to alter their minds although they do ask about some popular cultures. 1 present a Christmas if they are lucky. One boy didn’t know when his birthday was and was uncertain of his age. Amazing what really matters as that same boy could spear fish, drive the boat and would play rugby every chance he got. Turns out he would be 8 on November 23rd. We gifted him a Scotland rugby shirt.

If you ask me. Kids climbing trees and playing around fire is a better way of life than big city living and conforming to what’s expected.

Nashy