Elder Jacobsen and I had the privilege to visit the LDS Church College of Fiji last week (April 2-5). It was our first opportunity to observe Elder and Sister Whitehead (the ITEP missionary couple) provide Professional Development for the teachers at the Church College (High School and Middle School level) and the Primary school. Upon arrival we were welcomed with the usual island hospitality that we have come to treasure from the people in the South Pacific. Just by chance we were on the inaugural flight of Fiji Airways Airbus 300 airplane and enjoyed the 2 hour and 40 minute flight from Auckland with a hot meal and our own personal video screens. The company's CEO was on the plane and we all received a warm welcome because of the special flight. As we disembarked we all received shell leis and a warm "Bula" while being serenaded with Fijian music.
The view from the Novotel Hotel
The LDS Church College of Fiji
Mereoni Vuibreketi - Counselor
Our first day in Fiji was spent at the Church College. I was able to meet Mereoni for the first time, although we have talked and Skyped long-distance a number of times. Mereoni has been a counselor for two years and is doing a great job implementing Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance at the college. Other schools in Fiji do not have school counselors so Mereoni is pioneering Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance in her country.
Elder Jacobsen couldn't resist stopping to visit with some students waiting to go into the library. Although many students also speak Fijian or Hindi, the official language of Fiji is English. The students are very welcoming and are interested in talking with us when we tour around the school.
Elder and Sister Whitehead - ITEP Missionaries
The Whiteheads picked us up from the airport upon our arrival in Fiji Tuesday evening and were our excellent hosts throughout our visit. The first day we spent time touring the Church College (the secondary school) and attending a meeting with the administration and HODS (Heads of Department). That evening we had a wonderful dinner at the Whiteheads apartment with Elder and Sister Osborne, another missionary couple working in the schools on the Technical Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) programs.
The LDS Church College of Fiji Campus
Lunch at McDonald's with a Fiji "Hello"!
The Presidential Palace
