Tikopia

Tikopia
Our special association with the island of Tikopia (TIK-OH-PEE-AH) began with an accidental encounter last year. We arrived in Tikopia in February of 2006, but were unable to land our zodiacs at the spot originally planned. We moved to a different side of the island and went ashore to meet the chief and ask permission to visit. Through our tour agent, I was told that the island’s priest, Father Luke Faka, was hoping to find me, to ask if I would send an email on his behalf. Father Luke and I connected, and I took his handwritten letter back to the ship, scanned it, typed it, and sent both copies out. The letter was being sent to Dr. David Martin, a British man living in New Zealand. Dr. Martin, his wife, and several colleagues of theirs had formed a foundation to assist the island with a project to rebuild their dam. During Category 5 Cyclone Zoe, in December of 2002, the dam separating the island’s fresh water lake from the sea had been breached. The lake was no longer a viable source of fresh water for the people, but the eroding sand between the sea and the lake also threatened their homes. They named their foundation the “Save Tikopia Fund.”

Dr. Martin and I were in contact this spring, but I did not hear from him again until this past November, when he frantically contacted me through our Seattle office and Karen Kuest. Dr. Martin reported that the island was very much in need of medical supplies for their clinic. Most of the medicines previously ordered did not arrive, and the ones that did were in very short supply. The island’s nurse contacted Dr. Martin to see if he could contact Cruise West to ask for help. Of all the destinations in the Solomon Islands, Tikopia is by far one of the most remote. Supply vessels rarely visit (possibly once or twice a year at best) and the island has little contact with outside medical providers. This is one of the primary reasons that Dr. Martin considered asking us for our help.

Through the island’s nurse, Monica, a list of essential medicines was generated and sent to Dr. Martin. He passed this on to us and a decision was made to order the medicines and deliver them to the island on our January 1st call. The estimated cost of the medicine requested was nearly $3,000.00 USD. Our Bear Cares, through our Photo CD sales, provided the money and organized the ordering of the medicines.

On our arrival to the island on New Year’s Day, 2007, our ship’s doctors gathered the medicine together and delivered it to a gentleman in charge of the clinic on the island. They accompanied the boxes ashore and provided instruction for a few of the medicines and answered questions about the others. Along with this donation, Cruise West also delivered a large donation of school supplies to the island and the villagers.

All of the guests onboard were made aware that the donations were made possible by the generosity of guests like themselves, who have contributed to Our Bear Cares over the last few years. It was a wonderful connection to the island and we were all made to feel incredibly welcome during our stay there. I have been in touch with Dr. Martin recently, and he is thrilled to be in contact with Cruise West, in his continued efforts to assist a community in great need of outside aid. I have included the link to his Website, to share his passion for the “Save Tikopia Fund”.

Below is a copy of the email we received from the Deputy Headteacher at the Tikopia School. Although it is addressed to Jen and Company it should really be addressed to you, the guest. Thank you for your generous donations that make it possible for us to help where it is needed.

Dear Jen and Company,
Indeed, thank you very much for your company's donation towards our two schools here in Tikopia, Terano and Safoa school, we did distribute the materials among our schools. Your generosity towards our schools will cater the learning of our pupils and therefore we would like you to convey our sincere thanks to the rest of your colleagues likewise Laurene and others. Should you in the near future hand any materials from your company to rightful authorities than to wrong people.

Thank you very much.
Yours faithfully,
Francis Ariki (Rarovi)
Deputy Headteacher,
Terano Primary School,
Tikopia Island.