Fijian Voyagers Take Lead In Skype Classroom
A Fijian voyaging trust is heading to the front of the class to promote Pacific voyaging and navigation via Skype.
Uto ni Yalo Trust, as part of the Pacific Voyagers network, has taken up an invitation by Skype in the classroom to be
part of its Exploring Oceans series, which will go out live at 6pm (Fiji time) Wednesday 21 August.
Trust vice president Teddy Fong says a discussion on the future of traditional voyaging in Fiji and the Pacific will be
presented by Ratu Manoa Rasigatale and Arthur Sokimi with sustainable sea transportation being a key focus.
Skype students will learn about the Pacific Voyagers, Uto ni Yalo Trust and as well as hear stories from crew members
about their journey across the Pacific.
“Two of our female crew members, Unaisi Waqanivere and Agnes Sokosoko, will talk about Te Mana o te Moana voyage through
the Pacific," says Fong "and they will also discuss the cultural and conservation aims of the voyage.
“The crew really had some startling experiences such as sailing around the great garbage patch in the Pacific, and
rescuing a large turtle that was caught up in plastic rubbish.”
Fong says he hopes that when it comes to question time that “we will have tickled the students’ inquisitiveness so as to
have a lively interactive closing”.
Pacific Voyagers Charitable Trust's general manager of operations Magnus Danbolt said that connecting with Skype in the
classroom was a great opportunity to amplify the conversation around sustainable sea transport and how Pacific peoples
are taking a lead in this area.
“Pacific people have settled all over the world and with this virtual we can connect with them as well as gain new
support to protect our Pacific Ocean,” says Danbolt.
“With Te Mana o Te Moana voyage, we saw young crew members, who were all lead by their cultural leaders, mature and
develop and this gives some of them the opportunity to tell their stories in their own voices.”
To register for the Skype Te Mana o te Moana lesson, go to https://education.skype.com/projects/6122-te-mana-o-te-moana-the-spirit-of-the-sea.
ENDS