Paraolympics

So yesterday we went to a celebration for the only Fijian to ever win a gold medal in the Paraolympics, Iliesa Delana. It was so cool! The president of Fiji was there also which was really exciting! All the special schools were invited to go and because of Iliesa's win, the government made a speech saying that there should be more focus on the kids with disabilities! I was impressed. Funding for the "regular" schools is provided right away, but funding for special schools comes months later. I think that this monumental feat is finally going to make some positive changes for these amazing kids.

There were also a lot of cultural traditions incorporated into the event like hula dancing, making a ceremonial drink of some kind and the presenting of a massive roasted pig. It was insane. A lot of primary schools had prepared traditional dances and songs as entertainment for the event, they were really good! Some of them danced to American songs also. So cute!

The food situation hasn't really improved but we are remaining hopeful that we can figure something out soon.

 

One of the deaf students

The massive roasted pig!

Another student with the Australian Speech Pathologist for our school.

Eliza and one of the older girls.

Lindsay and several of the other students and Mela, one of the staff!