A Celebration

I was invited to a fundraising event for the Lavena school. The school was built a year ago. Now they need to outfit it properly with boards and computers and other necessities. So they engage in fundraising activities. Last night was the collection night and they had a little party. The festivities began at about 7:30. The town parents had been divided into four groups to make a sort of informal competition of the proceedings. At 7:30, the head teacher opened the evening with some comments. Then there was a prayer and then the singing began. Some of the men of the village played guitars of varying sizes and they sang. They were really good. And, of course, the kava was flowing as well. At 8:30, the counting of the funds began. Each of the groups in turn were called upon to bring something up to the counting table. They could bring all of their funds raised, or some, or none at all. It was duly counted and the tallies were kept on a board at the front of the tent. When they would come up to bring some money, they would dance and cavort. Often they would invite others up to dance with them. And, of course, the kava flowed. Then, after each group had brought the money up, the whole tally for the gifting round was written up on the board. Some more singing and dancing (and flowing kava) followed until 9:30, when another gifting round was begun. In a different order this time, each group again brought some money up (or in the case of the group that adopted me, opted to wait until the final round), with singing and dancing accompanying it all. And, of course, lots of kava. Another tally was put up on the board. And more singing and dancing. And, of course, the kava kept flowing. The final round was the last of the money that was raised by the groups. More singing, dancing, and kava drinking accompanied this final round. Then a hat was passed around for anyone who wanted to donate a final bit of money, accompanied by more singing, dancing and, of course, kava drinking. In the end, the community raised $3206.10 for the school. Not bad for a community of 300 or so. I don't know how long this round of fund-raising went on for, but I think they raised a lot of money. And they had a lot of fun gathering it up and counting the final tally. And I felt very happy to be included in the event. They made me feel very welcome.